My toothbrush broke the other day when I was interstate. It simply won’t turn off. So it went into my check-in luggage merrily whirling away.

I spent the flight planning when to return it to the shop, what I would say, wondering if it was still under warranty, where the receipt was, and given the charger was working would it be a shame to return that or should I …

A current ANZ Bank television ad goes like this: This man is showing a new employee around the office. He goes through an elaborate security and ID process to gain access to the inner sanctum. At the last step of the process, he smashes a glass bubble and grabs the key – which does not work! He then proceeds to bang on the door until someone inside lets …

Do you often feel overwhelmed at work? Are you straining under the weight of your responsibilities? Are you a perfectionist constantly agonising over all the details you need to manage? We cannot possible control everything! And the resultant stress of trying to do so is not nice to live with.

Faith is the answer. I am not talking religion here. Faith means doing the best we can (without killing …

“…the best commercial strategy for my tomorrows is to be present at all times today.” Peter Tunjic, Thoughtpost Legal, writing in Bill Jensen’s book: What is your life’s work?.

I spotted a Deloitte ad at the airport recently. The headline said “steward AND strategist.” It immediately begged the question: Is this possible for a person to be both a steward (someone who runs the day-to-day of a company) and an innovative strategist (someone who envisages ground-breaking future directions for a company)?

I don’t believe so. The two roles demand two incompatible modes of thinking.

A steward is essentially there …

Top Management Lies, by way of Stilgherrian.

This is a piece of insider wisdom from the adult services industry. You don’t work when you are desperate, because it leads you to compromise your values. You may do things you never thought you would. And you may engage with people who are not good for you. (Don’t ask where I got this from, and no, it is not what you think. :P)

There are three broad types of people in organisations: the shining stars, the squeaky troublemakers, and the silent wheels. The shining stars get the accolades and the star treatment. The troublemakers get the attention from HR. And the silent wheels… well they just get on with it. They solve problems on their feet, salve irate clients, work around dumb management directives, and generally keep their organisation running. Here’s …

White collar office worker: someone else’s business, 40-hours a week are paid for, work hard = earn the same, fixed work hours, accountable to boss and clients, danger of offshoring as work can be compartmentalised and modularised.

Blue collar entrepreneur: own business, every hour is paid for, work hard = earn more, flexible work hours, accountable to clients and self, work can’t be offshored given the requirement for physical …

An egg is a versatile thing indeed. It can be used in an amazing variety of ways. Similarly, you too have egg-like versatile skills if you look deep enough.

We often lump our skills with our jobs or training – accountant, ballet teacher, homemaker.

Dig deeper and a ballet teacher’s skill set can encompass counselling, physiotherapy, personal training, nutrition advisor, organising people and venues, and bookkeeping. By recombining these skills …