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Every organisation has them. You know who they are. The moment someone shines, speaks up, or dares to be different — they’re there . Ready to roll their eyes, undermine, question motives, or whisper a passive-aggressive comment under their breath. These are the candle blower outers — people who can't stand the light of others, so they try to snuff it out. A metaphor popularised by Brené Brown. They’re not always loud. In fact, they’re often subtle, calculated, and cloaked in

Too many organisations have allowed meetings to devolve into KPI tribunals — sessions where metrics are pored over, blame is handed out, and people leave more deflated than developed. It’s a flawed practice, and one that ultimately erodes culture, trust, and performance. Let’s be clear: when people consistently fail to meet targets, it’s rarely a people problem — it’s a leadership problem. Whether it’s poor delegation, unclear expectations, or a lack of development, underperf

Employee misconduct is always a delicate issue—but when it intersects with mental health, the stakes rise dramatically. Employers walk a fine line: protecting their people, upholding workplace standards, and managing risk, all while navigating legal and ethical obligations. Do it wrong, and the consequences can be cultural, legal, and reputational. Do it right, and you strengthen trust, resilience, and performance. We’re seeing it more than ever. A recent Australian Human Rig

In the age of employee engagement surveys, 360-degree reviews, and endless KPIs, we often overlook one of the simplest, most powerful indicators of workplace culture: laughter. Yes—laughter. That spontaneous, human expression of connection, comfort, and shared understanding. Walk through any office, warehouse, or Zoom meeting and listen carefully. Are people laughing? Are teams smiling, joking, enjoying their work together? If not, the culture might be more toxic than you thi

“I was wrong.” “I’m sorry.” “I don’t know.” “What do you think?” “How can I help you perform at your best?” When a leader is willing to say any—or all—of these phrases, you can almost guarantee one thing: they’re trustworthy. And in leadership, trust isn’t a soft skill—it’s the foundation of performance, culture, and long-term success. A 2022 PwC Global Workforce Survey found that only 30% of employees strongly trust their leadership . That means 70% of the workforce may be q