News & Insights
Emotional Intelligence and the Art of Dishwasher Emptying…
You can learn a lot about emotional intelligence standing in front of a dishwasher, particularly one someone else was supposed to empty. My kids are a bit older now, but I can vividly remember drawing a big imaginary circle in the air and saying, “I love you.” Then pointing to a tiny dot inside it: […]
The most expensive hiring mistake often happens before an advert is even written
Many so-called bad hires are not candidate failures. They are the predictable result of lazy thinking disguised as urgency before a search even begins. When a new hire doesn’t work out, excuses and explanations arrive quickly. They interviewed well but didn’t end up delivering. They weren’t the person we thought they were. I guess they […]
What will my life look like if I say yes?
One of the most important questions a candidate asks about a new job often has very little to do with the job description itself. It is something much more personal: What will my life look like if I say yes? Of course salary matters. People want to be paid fairly, they want to feel valued, […]
Outplacement – So Much More Than Helping Someone Write a CV
I recently supported someone through an outplacement process that reminded me how easy it is to underestimate what this work involves. In theory, outplacement services should be fairly straightforward: update the CV, prepare for interviews and help someone begin looking for their next role. In reality, people do not always arrive ready to leap enthusiastically […]
Why Multi-Listing Recruitment Roles Can Damage Your Brand
When a role is urgent, it can be tempting to brief several recruitment agencies at the same time and hope that more activity will mean a faster result. On the surface, that feels logical. More recruiters. More candidates. More chance of finding the right person. In my experience, recruitment doesn’t work that neatly. When multiple […]
Curiosity: The Success Factor We Don’t Talk About Enough
When talking with candidates and clients about employee success factors, I often return to familiar themes such as: motivational fit, values alignment, emotional intelligence, communication, shared purpose and the ability to contribute positively to a team. All of these factors are important, commercially relevant and desirable characteristics we want to see displayed. But there is […]
The Unspoken Contracts Between Us
It was freezing in Christchurch this morning and Mrs Bish decided she couldn’t face the bike ride to work so I dropped her in. She had a wee stumble moment as she hopped out of the car, I wound down the window and called out: “Bitterman!” (bonus points to anyone who can identify the slightly […]
A Winning Formula for Emotional Intelligence & Leadership Success
Is striking a harmonious balance between intellect, empathy, and pragmatism the formula to achieving the best relationships?
Steady Leadership in a Shifting Market
Steady Hands in a Shifting Market Why tougher conditions demand better leadership and recruitment decisions There’s been a bit of noise this week about the economy. Unemployment has nudged up, growth is a bit patchy in places and confidence feels cautious. The headlines are doing what headlines do – a mix of concern with just […]