Blog
When it comes to Leadership and people thriving at work, there is a lot we are passionate about. Check out our blog each month for the latest ponderings, insights and ideas from Karen Gately.
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From leadership and company culture to self-improvement and current affairs, our blog offers practical tips and advice to help you learn and grow.
Discover how to become a more effective leader, build a thriving team, and achieve your ambitions. Among other things our blogs can help you to:
- Discover how to build trust, create a healthy workplace culture, and keep your employees engaged.
- Develop a positive mindset, cultivate resilience, build confidence, and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Karen writes about things that inspire her in a hope they will inspire you too. Ultimately she’s strive to help you to become a more effective leader, a successful individual, and a well-rounded citizen of the world.
The Leadership Failures of Donald Trump: A Case Study in What Not to Do
Great leadership isn’t just about authority—it requires integrity, emotional intelligence and the ability to unite people toward a common goal. When leaders foster division, undermine trust or prioritize self-interest over collective success, they weaken their impact. This blog explores key lessons in what to avoid—and what truly effective leadership looks like.
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Psychological Safety Legislation is Coming to Victoria: Are Your Leaders Ready?
From December 2025, businesses in Victoria must prevent psychological harm at work, just as they do physical harm. Stress, bullying, and job insecurity are now workplace safety risks, not just HR issues. Here’s what leaders need to do to foster a culture of psychological safety.
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Influencing Psychological Safety When Driving Change
Driving change effectively requires a psychologically safe environment. This blog explores key strategies for building trust, fostering open communication and empowering employees to navigate change successfully.
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Assumptions: The Silent Killer of Workplace Harmony
Have you ever witnessed a workplace conflict erupt over a simple misunderstanding? Chances are, assumptions were at play. This blog explores how unchecked assumptions can poison workplace relationships and offers practical strategies for overcoming this common communication pitfall.
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Navigating the Intersection of Policy and Compassion
When policies clash with moral duty, how should organizations respond? In this blog, inspired by a recent Work Savvy podcast episode, we explore the story of a Queensland bus driver who faced termination after defending a young passenger. This incident sparks vital questions about trust, empathy, and the balance between rigid policies and compassionate leadership. Discover why policies should protect both the business and its people while allowing room for real-world complexities and moral judgment.
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Why 'Plain Speak' Matters
In a world where politeness is valued, many of us are also taught to use sophisticated vocabulary or ‘big words’ to appear more intelligent. However, the true power of communication lies in honesty and clarity. When we obscure the truth or use complicated language, we risk creating barriers that hinder understanding and success. In this blog, we'll explore why ‘plain speak’—clear, straightforward communication—is essential for building trust, fostering growth and engaging effectively with others.
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The Power of Autonomy
Think your team could use a little more freedom? This blog dives into the power of autonomy in the workplace. We'll explore how giving your employees more control over their work can boost motivation and creativity. Get ready to learn how to empower your team and unlock their full potential!
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Being Assertive
Assertiveness is the key to clear communication and respect in the workplace. By expressing your views confidently and respectfully, you foster better collaboration and reduce stress, paving the way for success.
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Making Remote Working Work
Remote work is here to stay, but managing productivity, communication and well-being can be a challenge. With the right strategies, you can create a thriving remote team. Discover 10 powerful steps to optimize your remote work environment and boost your team’s success.
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2 Things That Make the Biggest Difference When It Comes to Building a Cohesive Team
Great teams are built on trust, respect and strong connections. By fostering personal accountability and emotional intelligence, you can unlock the full potential of your team and drive success.
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What To Do About Unreliable People
Are you frustrated by the impact unreliable employees have on your team’s morale and performance? You’re not alone. Many leaders we work with share the same struggles, dealing with people who drop the ball when they’re needed most—whether it’s tardiness, absenteeism, missed deadlines or inconsistent work quality.
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Strong Foundations
It’s amazing how one ‘ah-ha’ moment can profoundly shift our thinking, emotions and actions. For me, this happened recently during a transformative three-day retreat led by the incredibly talented Aaron Sansoni.
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What to Do When You Get the Hiring Decision Wrong
Hiring decisions gone wrong can be costly—wasting time, money and productivity, while impacting morale and relationships. These decisions affect not just the individual, but the entire business.
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6 Steps to Harnessing Discretionary Effort
Unlocking discretionary effort within your team can be a game-changer for performance. Here are six key steps to inspire greater energy, commitment and success across your organization.
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Combating Unconscious Bias
Unconscious bias can have a significant impact on workplace decisions, including hiring, performance reviews, and terminations. This article explores the findings of a study on physical attractiveness bias and offers actionable steps to mitigate bias in the workplace.
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Take the Pain Early
Sometimes, discomfort is necessary for progress. Whether it’s a tough conversation or a difficult decision, postponing challenges only makes them harder. I’ve learned that facing the pain early—whether it’s as simple as eating unwanted food or addressing workplace issues—leads to quicker resolution and better outcomes. As a leader, confronting issues head-on is essential for the success of your team.
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Value Adding Performance Management
Performance management can only be effective when applied consistently and with purpose. The key to unlocking its true potential lies in the daily approach of leaders who guide their teams with clarity, coaching and accountability. Leaders must ensure that their teams understand expectations, receive continuous feedback and are held accountable for their contributions.
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Growing Your Emotional Intelligence
How emotionally intelligent are you? Most of us may believe we're self-aware, but research shows that only a small fraction truly are. To enhance our emotional intelligence, honest feedback from others is crucial—yet it can be difficult to embrace.
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Shifting Culture Webinar
Register now for our last free webinar for 2021. Come and join us! TOMORROW - Wednesday 15th of December, at 12pm AEDT.
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CEO Fires 900 Staff on a Zoom Call...
In case you’ve missed it in the news, the latest staggeringly poor example of business leadership is brought to us courtesy of Better.com CEO Vishal Garg.
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Assessing Character Through the Hiring Process
This blog explores the importance of assessing character during the hiring process, highlighting how ignoring red flags or prioritizing technical skills over character fit can lead to disastrous outcomes. Learn practical strategies for identifying the right fit by focusing on core values, observing behaviors, and trusting your instincts to avoid making the wrong choice.
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Leveraging Executive Assistants Well
This week, we're excited to introduce "The Influential EA of the Future" program, designed to empower executive assistants and leaders alike. Through this program, we aim to help CEOs and business owners cultivate the focus and mindset needed to perform at their highest potential, ensuring they operate at the strategic level where their leadership can truly make an impact.
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