kirstyagarjacomb

Who Gets Heard, Who Gets Credit, Who Gets Ahead, What Gets Done?

People have different conversational styles, influenced by the part of the country they grew up in, their ethnic backgrounds and those of their parents, their age, class, gender and so on. Deborah Tannen, is a Professor of Linguistics at Georgetown University. One of her many books, ‘Talking from 9 to 5: Women and Men atContinueContinue reading “Who Gets Heard, Who Gets Credit, Who Gets Ahead, What Gets Done?”

Another Reason Why Women Need Pockets

I distinctly remember one day, turning up at a meeting with meeting paperwork, tablet and phone, piled in one hand; coffee, swipe-card, and pen in the other hand; water bottle wedged under my elbow; and my glasses perched on my head (because they’re only for reading). No word of a lie. When I had finallyContinueContinue reading “Another Reason Why Women Need Pockets”

Want to be Like a Boss in Meetings? Follow the Girl Guides’ Motto and ‘Be Prepared’

I used my Swiss army knife twice today. I bought it over 20 years ago and I love it. It’s so versatile. I was never a Scout though, but my father and daughters were. The Scout’s motto ‘Be Prepared’ refers to being ready to cope with anything that comes your way. So, what about meetings?ContinueContinue reading “Want to be Like a Boss in Meetings? Follow the Girl Guides’ Motto and ‘Be Prepared’”

Resistance to Change is a Myth

Change is afoot. There is a lot being written these days about the impact of Covid19 on changing the way we do business. But what of the human component of change. We can easily change a process but getting humans to change their behaviour can be more complex. Paul Plsek, internationally recognized advisor on creativity,ContinueContinue reading “Resistance to Change is a Myth”

The Great ‘Nice Girl’ Hoax

I was sitting around an outdoor firepit on a still night with two of my favourite women this weekend and we were talking. We talked about how being duped when we were young into thinking that we had equal opportunities to our brothers and could do whatever we wanted to do, created a sense ofContinueContinue reading “The Great ‘Nice Girl’ Hoax”

How to Have Both a Partner and Career Ambition

Avivah Wittenberg-Cox, in her HBR article “If You Can’t Find a Spouse Who Supports Your Career, Stay Single”, states that professionally ambitious women really only have two options when it comes to their personal partners – a super-supportive partner or no partner at all. Sadly, her conclusions are backed by research. Commonly, men can beContinueContinue reading “How to Have Both a Partner and Career Ambition”

Seven Things to Consider When Leading Through Change

People responsible for planning and implementing change often forget that while the first task of change management is to understand the destination and how to get there, the first task of transition management is to convince people to leave home. Transition: the psychological process people go through to come to terms with new situations. TheContinueContinue reading “Seven Things to Consider When Leading Through Change”

Doing Your Best and Being a Mess

I want to promote ‘close enough is good enough’, ‘good enough is good enough’, permission over perfection. The shift to a virtual working world (for those privileged enough to be able to do their job online, if they have a job at all) brings a multitude of challenges. Beyond ‘How to lead a team virtually’,ContinueContinue reading “Doing Your Best and Being a Mess”

How Learning About Transitions Can Help Get Through Lockdown: Seven Things You Can Do

Change is situational: a new ‘office’, new processes, new policies. Transition is the psychological process people go through to come to terms with new situations. Change is external. Transition is internal. Most people around the world are in the middle of massive change. How we work has changed and how we live has changed. ThereContinueContinue reading “How Learning About Transitions Can Help Get Through Lockdown: Seven Things You Can Do”

Three Ideas to Connect With, and Own, Your Personal Power

I wore one of my favourite (and expensive, designer brand) dresses to present a workshop a couple of years ago. A participant commented casually, at the airport later that evening that they liked it and asked where I got it. I found myself wanting to tell them “It’s X but I got it in aContinueContinue reading “Three Ideas to Connect With, and Own, Your Personal Power”