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| Greetings! |
Are you doing things right now that are undermining your success in the future?
This week in Federal Parliament the Opposition Leader found that the 'smoking gun' was pointed directly at his own foot. Just as 'utegate' is likely to affect Malcolm Turnbull's future, the way you treat staff in times of crisis will impact your credibility as a leader.
A BIG THANK YOU to all who donated to Vinnies CEO Sleepout!
It was also wonderful to see so many of Balance at Work's friends sleeping rough at Luna Park to support the cause.
To date, over $570,000 has been raised. In November 2008, the Society opened the largest dedicated learning and recreation facility for homeless people in Australia, the Ozanam Learning Centre. This amount could cover the Centre's operating costs for a year.
If you find the information in this monthly newsletter useful, you might be wondering what you have missed in previous issues. You can access them all here. |
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Or Call Us:
1300 785 150
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| Perception is reality! |
 An article by Avril Henry in Tuesday's Sydney Morning Herald, 'What did you do in the GFC', started me thinking about the importance of perception in everything we do in management.
In the article, Avril describes how a directive style of management is often the default position in difficult times. She goes on to explain how this approach may backfire when conditions improve.
Although the manager may feel they have not changed much, the perception of them as controlling and demanding is likely to persist and even proliferate, hampering their future prospects for successfully employing and engaging staff.
How can you prevent this happening to you? Awareness is always the first step! Here are some ideas:
1. Know your capacity for handling stress and pressure.
Do you tend to feel at ease and calm while working?
Are you comfortable working to deadlines and busy schedules?
Can you deal effectively with strain and difficulty when it occurs?
2. Be aware of your tendencies under stress.
Can you sometimes become overly strict or punitive when enforcing rules?
Do you have a tendency to take risks without sufficient analysis of potential difficulties?
Have you been dogmatic, certain of your own opinions while less open to different
ideas or collaboration?
3. Look for opportunities to use your strengths, rather than reacting automatically.
We all have strengths we can use to see us through times of stress. For example,
you may be good at experimenting and trying new ways of doing things. This is very
appropriate in times of change, especially if you are also tenacious, despite
encountering significant obstacles.
Tip: Make the most of the strengths of those around you. For example, if you are not a detail oriented person, rather than being irritated by those who are, recognise how their strengths can be put to good use to assist you.
Action: Learn more about your strengths and those of your team. All of the examples above relate to specific traits that are accurately measured with the brief Harrison Assesments online questionnaire. Email or call us now to find out more, or see our June offer. In the end, others' perceptions of you are beyond your control. But you do have many opportunities to make a positive impression! Knowing your strengths, aligning them to your values and staying congruent will all make a difference to the way the world sees you and how you see yourself. |
| Take a break! |
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 For most people, taking a holiday may seem like the last thing on their mind at the moment. However, it may well be that is just what you, and the Australian economy needs.
A large number of working Australians have a significant amount of accumulated annual leave hours due to them. Whilst it feels like you should be working harder now that ever before, in times of slow economic activity taking some time off can actually be of benefit to a number of different areas of the community, namely employees, employers and the Australian economy.
It's good for employees because... A break from your day-to-day routine can help to revitalise you and lift your spirits. Some time away from hearing about how little work there is at the moment and constantly experiencing how mundane the workplace may have become can do wonders to rejuvenate and re-excite you about your job and your life.
Having people get out of the office and return refreshed and positive can also have a flow on effect to the rest of the staff and the mood can shift from one of regularity to that of motivation. This can also have a similar flow on effect in relation to your family life and relationships.
Most people commonly claim that they cannot take leave as they are simply too busy, however the effects of a few days off can often result in increased productivity and creativity.
It's good for employers because... As well as a better chance of being able to keep attending staff active as there are fewer employees on board for a temporary period, and the previously discussed emotional and motivational benefits, there are also financial benefits for employers having employees take some time off.
Employers are required to maintain provision in their accounts equivalent to the value of all employee's accrued annual leave. By employees not taking that annual leave, employers are left with a large sum of money that they cannot touch for investment purposes or other business activities that may stimulate the business' development and growth. This can result in a significant financial liability for the business.
It's good for the Australian economy because... The common message at the moment is not just to take time off and stay at home, but to travel to local Australian tourist destinations. Tourism is such a large part of our economy, from generating income for the country as well as employing hundreds of thousands of people.
So, in simplistic terms, taking some well-earned time off can help yourself, your employer and your country. Of course, it is important to remember that no-one can force or be forced to take leave against their wishes. Although, with a country as great as ours to explore no-one should really need their arm twisted too hard to take a few days off!
The team of lawyers and accountants at The Quinn Group can provide you with personalised advice in regards to leave entitlements As well as a range of legal, accounting and general business tools to help you make it through these uncertain times. As an integrated professional services firm, The Quinn Group provides the Total Solution.
 Michael Quinn, Director of The Quinn Group, is an experienced lawyer, accountant and educator. If you would like further information or assistance, Michael and the team of legal and accounting professionals at The Quinn Group can be contacted by calling 1300 QUINNS or visiting the website www.quinns.com.au.
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It's a pleasure each month to put this newsletter together for you. We are always happy to have any feedback you'd like to offer so that we can continue to improve.
We're also delighted when you choose to forward our emails to friends and colleagues and would like to take this opportunity to thank you!
Until next time...
Warm regards
Susan Rochester
Balance at Work is the human capital expert for financial services companies of 5-500 employees. We combine the most accurate, insightful and easy to use online testing tool with expert advice, to give managers confidence to hire the right people first, make the most of their potential and approach difficult performance discussions with ease, creating businesses that are highly competitive because they have productive and valued employees. |
| Get to know your team in June... |
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Is your team looking a little blurred?
If your picture of them was clearer, could they be more productive?
Is it time to focus on making the most of the strengths you already have?
Clients who order assessments for 5 or more team members in June will receive a half-day team debrief at our expense (excluding travel).
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