The greatest soft skill is to care about and be interested in other people. The age of saying that this “is too touchy-feely for us” is well and truly over. If you doubt that, look at the scores for online meetings, chats and discussions. Without any question the winners are those whose personalities come across…
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The irony of the personal virus situation mimicking the international virus situation seems to be lost on many people. Individually we are exhorted to keep our distance while cooperating enough to bring the economy back to a sustainable level. Views are so divided on this that we may well see physical violence trying to resolve…
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“…in a recent survey of people affected by the pandemic, 90% of participants felt such leaders improved their work-life balance and job satisfaction. And 70% of those who worked for compassionate leaders were more productive than those who didn’t.” Financial Times 12May20. Compassion is not a soft option. It takes more effort than brutality. To…
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Dear Bob A response to Bob Gattie’s article on the United States Like many other people, I agreed with what you said about politics and standards in the United States in your Daily Paradox article “The United States and Us” 08May20. Beautifully expressed it touched a chord with most people, at least of those living…
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Today’s Daily Paradox is kindly contributed by Bob Gattie, a Terrific Mentor. It expresses his personal views. Like many of my generation I grew up admiring the United States for its “can-do” mentality, it’s sense of egalitarianism, it’s wealth, generosity, and everlasting optimism. I felt blessed when offered a Mellon Scholarship at The Graduate School…
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Your boss is sitting at home with all the irritations and uncertainties that come from lockdown. His or her most compelling question is ‘How is my boss rating me as he sits at home?’ It has to be your most compelling question too. Coronavirus shows up, more vividly than any management consultant, who is contributing…
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Being able to see people before they get close to you is a huge advantage when it comes to assessing their character. I have always made it a policy that my office door and my desk shall be as far apart as possible. That way I see how someone walks, where they look, how self-conscious…
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Some of the things we have to do as a result of the virus are sensible. Some are idiotic. Time to sort them, so that when lockdown is lifted we can retain what seems good and abandon the rest. If we don’t do this we run the risk, when we can ease up a bit…
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One outcome of the pandemic lockdowns is the realisation that much office work can be done from home. Client after client is telling me, often with considerable surprise, that they had never realised how little attendance at the place of work was really necessary. It’s not a new trend and it doesn’t only apply to…
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While D Trump is sarcastically pouring Dettol into his family and friends to cure them of coronavirus we should consider the more serious question of how the disease is changing the power, definition and role of boss. One of the signs of a good boss is that s/he understands when to step aside and let…
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