We know that working populations in Australia and elsewhere – skilled and professional – are ageing and that there is global and local competition for human talent at all levels and for all professions. We can’t ignore these trends as they tells us we’re into one of the biggest human resources challenge and change eras in recent history and it’s going to take some years to level off.
Given this reality, it’s crucial that we reframe our thinking about available talent and include non-traditional talent pools. This includes social assistance recipients, disabled persons, newcomers, diverse populations and those reaching traditional retirement age. And let’s not forget about some of the amazingly talented women and men out there returning from parental leave who only want to work on a part-time basis. Some companies look at recruiting women into non-traditional jobs out of high school – like construction – while others employ retired workers on a part-time basis for a host of reasons.
Re-start your engines
Are you feeling a little sluggish and worn out? Often professionals who consistently work long hours are cut-off from friends, family and healthy lifestyles. Contrary to what they think, the quality of their work is likely less than it could be. Like it or not if we consistently work 11 hours or more a day, we’re 67% more at risk than our colleagues who more regularly work a healthier 7-8 hours a day.
Today’s life stressors are certainly unlike a millennium ago where stressful events were spread out. Our “dis-ease” today abounds and it seems that getting a breather is frequently just out of reach. Maintaining a balanced life is challenging. Often all we want to do is just go home, shut out the din of the day, get into our jammies and have dinner. Simply retreat.
Resigning with grace and class
If you ever find yourself in a job where you feel quitting is the only option to unsolvable, on-going challenges, you might want to think twice about flipping off your employer. While it might feel good – for about five seconds – your career may suffer irreparable damage.
Take a deep breath and consider a few things before making what might turn out to be a fateful mistake. Walking away with grace just might keep your career and spirits intact especially in the immediate term. Here are a few fairly simple tips that will make your exit classy:
Are bad habits affecting your productivity?
Why do today what you can put off for tomorrow? I think many of us have some degree of the procrastination bug in our personality. In fact, Psychology Today says that 20% of us identify ourselves as chronic procrastinators. But a habit of putting things off – particularly in the office – can have a dramatic impact on your productivity and a potentially detrimental one to your career.
Procrastination isn’t the only bad habit that can affect our productivity. Other bad habits such as web surfing, skipping lunch or letting our inbox constantly hit capacity can all have an impact on our performance at work.
It’s no surprise that happy people anywhere are generally more engaged, more productive and more excited about life. So, it stands to reason that happy employees would manifest similar behaviours. Happy employees don’t move through their day like disembodied brains sitting in a chair. They thrive and are excited, inspired, and passionate about their work and their environments. And, this can be contagious – inspiring others around them.
You have to wonder if it’s the intrinsically happy person or the environment – or, perhaps there’s a synergy. There are many elements related to making a successful, thriving organisation. Who said anything was ever simple! So, we’ve chosen to focus on the human side of the equation believing that people make the biggest difference. Read more…
Edwards Executive
Tanya Edwards
Anna Finch
