The Hidden Source of Stress in Modern Leadership We have all heard the humourous lines about stress. One suggests that the greatest source of stress is other people not doing or thinking what we believe they should. Another describes stress as that moment when the mind overcomes the body’s desire to strangle someone who desperately [...]
Most people prepare for interviews by rehearsing behavioural stories. These “Tell me about a time when…” questions still matter, but they’re only one part of the picture. In reality, strong interviewers use three broad types of questions, each designed to uncover a different dimension of capability: behaviour, approach, and insight. Understanding these three categories helps [...]
Most leaders spend a lot of time thinking about capability: skills, systems, structures, KPIs. But one of the most powerful forces shaping performance isn’t a process at all — it’s the leader’s expectations. This is the Rosenthal Effect, also known as the Pygmalion Effect: the idea that people tend to rise (or fall) to the [...]
Ask someone what their personal brand is and the answer is often a job title. “I’m a project manager.” “I’m a lawyer.” “I’m a consultant.” That’s understandable—but it misses the point. What you do is not your brand. Your brand is the outcomes you consistently create, regardless of role, industry, or context. Jobs change. Titles [...]
Have you ever found yourself in a conversation, receiving and email, or getting a notification — personal or professional — where something just hits you the wrong way? Maybe it’s a tone of voice, a perceived criticism, or a seemingly innocent comment that feels like a jab. Before you know it, you’re triggered. You feel [...]
It’s Time to Rethink Workplace Expectations Before They Become Psychosocial Hazards For years, phrases like: “We need to do more with less.” “It’s a fast-paced environment.” “We’re all wearing multiple hats right now.” “Change is the only constant.” …have been accepted — even celebrated — as signs of agility, resilience, and high performance. But under [...]
(IronVale is a fictious Company, the case study is real) Stage 1 For each of the IronVale 360 Teams, a key Term of Reference is defined as: “Develop and implement a site-level code of behaviour that identifies standards for interaction among crew members, contractors, and visitors, and that aligns with the IronVale Core Values.” Stage [...]
Have you ever skipped meals because you were “in the zone” — only to realise hours later that you were starving? Or maybe you missed someone’s frustration because you were too focused on getting praise from your boss? These moments aren’t flukes. They’re features of how your brain filters the world. And they come down [...]
Your mind is the most powerful force you’ll ever face. It can build empires or trap you in invisible walls. Most people think they’re logical. They’re not. They’re emotional creatures, rationalizing after the fact. Cognitive biases are the tricks your brain plays to protect you—but those same tricks can destroy clarity, discipline, and growth. The [...]
“Culture isn’t what’s written on the wall — it’s what gets lived out on the ground.” Across industries — from healthcare to heavy industry, and especially in high-performance environments like mining, manufacturing, and construction — company values are only as powerful as their visibility in day-to-day behaviour. If you’re a leader, you likely know your [...]
Dr Susan Roberts says: