Bitesize management wisdom
My newsletter provides (approximately) bi-weekly insights on leadership and management challenges—real stories, practical advice, and honest conversations about the human side of work.
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Tolerance for the bridesmaids of the future
This week I went to a wedding- and there is nothing like event planning to hone your thinking on the topic of management. As I adjusted the bride's train and moved the bouquet for her ceremony, I real...
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Oar-some management
There's an absolute goddess of a woman that works in my team, and she competed at Henley this weekend. She's 6ft 1, has shoulders bigger than my thighs, and recently beat everyone at tug of war at the summer party. Her experience is so relatable to my day-to-day management struggles.
You're doing a great job
Managing ambitious team members and getting the recognition you need as a manager
Party like it is 2013
Last week, I had the delight of hosting the Up Collective summer party. It took me back to 2012, when I was a young and energetic P&G grad, learning the ropes of corporate life. Back then, there was a charismatic brand manager named Sara who embodied all things fun. She enlisted me to help with organising the summer off-site, and I remember asking, 'What's a summer off-site?' Little did I know, this introduction would lead me into the world of corporate party planning.
Are we nearly there yet?
Five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes. How do you measure a year? (Any Rent fans in the house?) We are halfway through and it feels like the mountain is still ahead. The sun is shining but people tend to get a bit frisky for change at this time of year... What are we REALLY going to achieve in 2025? How can I make a difference before the autumn sets in? Combined with a changing season, and it can all make one feel a bit trepidatious.
When good people go
This week, I’ve been thinking a lot about exits. There’s a team member that I hugely value that has quit- and I’m feeling bereft. I am excited for her, but gutted for myself, and I think it's a metaphor for wider management. If we do a truly good job of making an environment for someone to thrive, be their best, and deliver- this eventuality is inevitable.
Good presenters: born or made?
There are some people that get sent on presenting courses. In fact, there is an absolute money-spinner course run by RADA that people go on to learn how to present confidently. The older I get, the more I’m not sure if good presenters are born or made; but maybe that isn’t helpful for a newsletter about trying to help others get better…
Short skirts
As I was on the train yesterday- slightly later than normal- I noticed a group headed to the local all-girls grammar school. I wished, so deeply, that I could tell them not to bother having their skirts that tiny and that they would get all the wrong kinds of attention- but I did also remember that no one could have told me that (if they wanted me to listen) when I was 15, so I left it.
Cutthroat and black and white
Someone this week said “You’re very cutthroat aren’t you”. Ouch. It wasn’t great to hear, and honestly, it made me pause. Have I been swimming in the deep end of people problems for so long that I’ve forgotten the water is full of, well, people- not just neat little problems to be solved?
Hen dos and don'ts
This weekend I went on a hen do (my 34th); and given I can stretch a metaphor any which way, I’m going for 'what hen dos tell us about management' this week. Really, it's more about what hen dos tell us about humans- but given management is just a manifestation of the human condition, here’s what we can learn from veils and tantrums.
You can't sit with us
There is nothing like a hen do to remind you about cliques and I'm off on my first one of the year this weekend. I've had so many messages recently about how it feels to be left out, or like you can't escape the tropes of insular teams- so I thought I'd tackle two questions this week about gangs. (apologies to asker of question one but your four minute voice note had to be summarised somehow!)
BELIEVE- JK, it's not that easy
Happy Easter to all who celebrate, and I hope the bunny brought you more chocolate than you can cope with.
Face hook
I really miss Bebo and Myspace- the rules seemed clearer then, although 'top friends' did ruin my teenage years. I’ve found, of late, that people are much stricter with their kids use of social media than they are with their own- and also less stringent about the content they are putting out into the world. It all feels a bit, well, grey.
So no one told you life was gunna be this way
This week I watched a really great leader quit. He didn’t get the job promotion he wanted; and it really made me remember that you can make the perfect working environment, but if you don’t reward the individual with what they want- nothing will compensate for that.
The vaping Zoomer
Pretending Elon doesn’t exist, and that the apocalypse isn’t really upon us- I’m going for an AI theme this week. More than one friend has told me they aren’t keeping up with the tech of the youth, so I’ve chosen my fave questions, focused on the speed of advance in the workplace.
Lessons from Sandy Balls
This week has been full of reviews for me; I've read about a hundred and I've given six. Not one has been easy. I'm sharing empathy with anyone else out there who is in the midst of trying to make people you care about happy, and also navigating the frustration of having all of these reviews happen on top of the usual busy day job.
The season of change
The daffodils are out, the rugby is over (the less said about that the better), and it's time for the season of change and newness. Perhaps a new job, a new career, or even just a new approach to an old colleague. Whatever newness you feel like—may it be spring-ier than a lamb, and with results brighter than tulips.
The art of appreciation
This past week was Employee Appreciation Week, and it has made me dwell on the power of small gestures. Happy Spring.
Piggy in the middle
Questions of late have tended to focus on the negative. It’s possible that it’s just that time of the year—or maybe it’s the economic climate—but whatever it is I aim to be useful not miserable, so I’ve picked two questions today that I thought would be the most challenging (call me a sadist).
Stepping outside
The tale is long, so I’ll keep the tip short: go outside.
Funny about money
February is a tough time to lead people. There’s the year-end around the corner, bringing with it budget tenseness and tersity. Add in the terrible weather, and you can find yourself in a bit of a pickle.
Ar you putting off delegating?
The theme seems to be around delegation at the moment, and getting the balance right. Delegating effectively is not quick, its not easy and sometimes it feels like it wasn’t even worth it- but “Teach a person to fish and they will never go hungry again”.
Groundhog day and expense accounts
Congratulations, you’ve made it to February. This week is the week of Groundhog Day- there is something about the monotony of the first couple of months of the year that can be hard to get past, and, sadly, the groundhog this year has announced there will be another six weeks of winter.
January blues
How’s that January vibe treating you? The end of the financial year is approaching, the political landscape is a mess, and The Traitors finale was a bust. There’s hope to be had, however, and 2025 is going to be a great year for many.
Welcome 😊
Welcome to January, the time for resolutions, restitution, and the painful reminder of every email that ended “let’s catch up after the break” from last month. Welcome, also, to the Bee Human management newsletter - the concept is simple: Rid the world of terrible managers.
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