Sandra

Boundaries

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Have you set boundaries in the workplace or life in general? How have you approached communicating what these boundaries are so that others know? Do you consistently hold them, or do you find that you let your boundaries slip?

Here are some emotional indicators that you’re not holding the boundaries you have set!

Feel annoyed at someone because they really should have known how you feel about a particular thing?

Finding yourself resistant to saying no to things to avoid disapproval and to gain validation

Feel that people are taking advantage of your genorisity?

Have a level of resentment that you are being taken advantage of?

Stressed, burnt out and undervalued/appreciated?

If so, then it suggests that there may be an opportunity for you to develop your confidence and ability to hold your own boundaries.

Burnout

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‘Burnout isn’t due to a lack of motivation. It is caused by a shortage of capacity’ says Adam Grant……and I agree with him entirely. In work and life we can and do place enormous pressure on ourselves – and sometimes it feels like there are more interesting people and projects than hours in the day. So, a key question isn’t if you have interest, it’s whether you have bandwidth. Adam Grant summarises by saying ‘Enthusiasm is boundless. Time is finite’. If you are affected by stress and burnout, reach out to me for coaching support.

Best Practices – are they still the best?

As we emerge from the direct impact of the global pandemic, like many organisations and institutions, HR is in the face of change. Some HR ‘best practices’ were created for a world that no longer exists! Our ways of working, the tried and tested methods and routines that once moved us forward, may now be holding us back. ‘Best practice’ has to evolve and when we stop being open to improving we are on the slippery slope of stagnation.

Performance Management

Does Performance Managing an Employee work?

In my opinion, as an HR professional who has been involved in plenty of performance management cases, it’s a pretty awful process and generally leaves its’ mark on those involved and the organisation. I know first hand that ‘performance managing’ someone in your team has connotations of #micromanagement which is never a suitable framework for an experience-driven business looking to thrive. When we decide to ‘manage performance’, we have usually decided that there is a problem that needs to be fixed. In some cases that surfaces a capability issue or another issue that is impacting the employee at work that requires compassion and support. However, in my experience, the process also surfaces that there are other issues to consider that often points to poor recruitment practices; lack of support and/or the resources needed; team structure and team dynamics just not right; inexperienced/ineffective or poor leadership and finally a negative culture within the business. If any of these issues do surface, it’ possible that the employee doesn’t understand; is unwilling or unable to perform to the desired standard. If so, not only is the employee not reaching the desired standard – neither is the business. A more constructive approach is needed to influence change and it isn’t just down to the employee. Embedding a #coachingculture into your organisation can improve communication and boost confidence which are key tools when tackling contentious issues in a safe space without blame, shame or judgement.

Today is #StressAwarenessDay

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If you are reading this, and you are feeling a bit stressed or anxious – why not give this a go! Release your shoulders, unclench your jaw, and take a nice, slow deep breath in………and then a nice, slow relaxed exhale out. When we are stressed our muscles automatically contract and if you are anything like me, this happens in my neck and shoulders . When our shoulders and neck are tense it triggers the ‘stress response’ or ‘fight or flight mode’. Next time this happens to you, try slowly relaxing your muscles by taking a deep slow breath and as you slowly exhale, consciously let your shoulders come down away from your ears and invite some calm, stillness and balance into your mind.