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Trench Life

A blog for young professionals navigating careers in the trenches!

You are here: Home / Archives for All trench life posts / Knee-deep (Standard blogs)

Knee-deep (Standard blogs)

When’s the last time you prioritised yourself?

May 3, 2022 by Mark Atkinson 2 Comments

Prioritise yourself - young professional services

As a young professional, you know that working in professional services is tough. It's hard work and it can feel super draining. Every slavery analogy you see on audit/consulting subreddits gets you one step closer to handing in your resignation and trying to become a travel blogger from a beach in Singapore. I get it, I’ve lived it. Now, time for two wildly unpopular … [Read more...] about When’s the last time you prioritised yourself?

“Why doesn’t my manager listen to me?” – Communicating better with your managers

October 17, 2021 by Yi Su 4 Comments

Dear Manager - communicating with managers image

How often do you feel frustrated that your manager just doesn’t seem to listen to you or is not interested in your ideas? Do you blame the manager for not understanding you? What if it is actually you who needs to adapt?  When we are fresh out of university and first join a new workplace, communication is often the most important skill to learn, and also the skill that … [Read more...] about “Why doesn’t my manager listen to me?” – Communicating better with your managers

3 Popular Career Myths – Fact or Fairytale?

October 3, 2021 by Christine Marais 1 Comment

Career Myths - decorative image

As I continue to progress through my career, I have uncovered that there are a few things we have been taught about climbing up the corporate ladder or building a career that simply aren't true. Let’s get myth-busting! Career Myth 1: You NEED to absolutely love your job One defining factor here is the fact that job ≠ career. These concepts are often used … [Read more...] about 3 Popular Career Myths – Fact or Fairytale?

Taking the Leap of Faith – Why You Should Live Overseas for a Year

September 22, 2021 by Mark Atkinson 1 Comment

Travel - leap of faith - moving overseas

Travel has a way of bringing great fulfilment to our lives. If you've ever traveled to another country, you've broadened your horizons somewhat already. You may have experienced a radically different culture in India. Your palate might have been treated to some tantalising Spanish tapas. Perhaps your eyes have feasted on grandiose architecture in Paris, or maybe your emotions … [Read more...] about Taking the Leap of Faith – Why You Should Live Overseas for a Year

5 Ways to Manage Without Micromanaging: Avoid Being a Nightmare Leader

August 18, 2021 by Mark Atkinson Leave a Comment

Micromanagement - puppeteer

It doesn't make sense to hire smart people and then tell them what to do; we hire smart people so they can tell us what to do. Steve Jobs Micromanagement is the Achilles heel of any high-performing team. From an organisational perspective, it typically leads to a decrease in productivity, lower employee engagement, and less innovation. Simply put: if you're a junior team … [Read more...] about 5 Ways to Manage Without Micromanaging: Avoid Being a Nightmare Leader

“How are you?” – The 3 most infuriating words in the English language?

August 14, 2021 by Mark Atkinson 3 Comments

Going to War against "how are you" - Simpsons

An IM notification from a colleague pops up on your laptop. "Hi, how are you?" [Thinking: "I'm living through a pandemic and hate my life." ] "Good, you?" You scroll through the conversation history. This is the fourth time Samantha has asked you how you are... in the last 3 hours. You thought you were okay, but now you start to doubt yourself. The scenario repeats … [Read more...] about “How are you?” – The 3 most infuriating words in the English language?

Tomorrow Is Too Late – 3 Critical Lifestyle Reminders for Young Professionals

August 10, 2021 by Christine Marais 5 Comments

Walk and talk - young professional lifestyle

The beauty of this blog is that it allows you to learn from others’ mistakes before you make them yourself.  Here are 3 things I’ve done, learned the hard way, and am still learning as a young professional navigating the big, big world. 1. Your future starts NOW  Often while we are in the trenches the future seems like a distant dream. We’re young, wild, and … [Read more...] about Tomorrow Is Too Late – 3 Critical Lifestyle Reminders for Young Professionals

Lady up, Gents

August 3, 2021 by Pieter Senekal 6 Comments

Woman on swing overlooks Paris skyline

By way of introduction, my name is Pieter Senekal. This is a line I was taught by a manager at the audit firm where I completed my articles. A simple line, but one that softened the blow of an otherwise very sudden transition from being a student to a young professional at a Big Four audit firm. As with any young professional, I’ve been fortunate to meet many amazing mentors … [Read more...] about Lady up, Gents

Mentors that Matter: Finding the Right Mentor at Work

July 12, 2021 by Mark Atkinson Leave a Comment

Mentors that matter: Finding the right mentor at work

I’m a firm believer in the thought that a single conversation can change your life. I keep this in mind when I am coaching others, and I do my best to align myself with mentors in my career with whom I find I have impactful conversations more regularly. Sadly, when most of us are allocated a team leader/coach in our organisations, we end up disappointed. We hope for someone … [Read more...] about Mentors that Matter: Finding the Right Mentor at Work

How to Not Suck as a Leader

July 8, 2021 by Mark Atkinson 2 Comments

Becoming a leader - how to not suck as a leader

4 ways for new managers to overcome imposter syndrome and win team support It could be that the term “imposter syndrome” was designed for the points in time when we first become leaders. I can’t keep a pot plant alive but, hey, the world deemed it okay for me to manage teams of high achievers. I can’t always be sure of what day of the week it is but we’re all okay … [Read more...] about How to Not Suck as a Leader

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  • When’s the last time you prioritised yourself?
  • “Why doesn’t my manager listen to me?” – Communicating better with your managers
  • 3 Popular Career Myths – Fact or Fairytale?
  • Taking the Leap of Faith – Why You Should Live Overseas for a Year
  • 5 Ways to Manage Without Micromanaging: Avoid Being a Nightmare Leader

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