Trevor-Roberts Blog

Who are my people? [Meaningful Work Series #3]

Humans are social creatures. We want to be part of a group. This innate need to belong arose from our primate ancestry, as it served us better to organise and live in groups than it did to live alone. First, it was safer as together we could ward...

How do I find meaningful work? [Meaningful Work Series #2]

This blog is part of our Meaningful Work series. Read the first blog here. I recall my conversation with Patrick, who had spent most of his career in retail and human resources across three continents, about his motivation to work. "It's hard to...

VIDEO: Shifting to a Proactive Mindset

We humans are incredibly adaptable. Neuroscience has shown us that with willingness and effort we are able to adapt to any situation and in the process build knew neural pathways which allow us to keep operating in a different way.

VIDEO: Leading in Times of Uncertainty

The first time I read about uncertainty was from the Nobel Prize winner Herbert Simon who highlighted the role of uncertainty in organisational strategy. At the time, Simon was working at the American Carnegie School which was melting pot of...

Building a career of substance: The search for meaningful work [Meaningful Work Series #1]

I remember my first interaction with a guidance counselor at school. After completing a questionnaire, I was shown a vast array of possible occupations I was apparently suited to. The list was huge, I didn’t even know there were so many types of...

Bhutan Dialogues: Meaningful work and the pursuit of happiness

The small Himalayan nation of Bhutan stepped into the international limelight when the 4th King decreed that the country would pursue Gross National Happiness (GNH) instead of GDP as its measure of success. Now, several decades later Bhutan is...

The experience of giving a TED Talk

Many people have asked me what it was like to do a TED Talk. I remember my first thought when my application was accepted: "Easy…I've done hundreds of presentations so shouldn't be a drama". Then I was assigned a coach, given strict details of the...

When block funding ends - what about your people?

We work with many organisations, particularly in the not-for-profit sector, which provide valuable community services that are funded through government block funding. The block funding model provides financial certainty over a fixed period of time,...

Building the NGO sector in Bhutan

The Kingdom of Bhutan, the Land of the Thunder Dragon, was thought to be the infamous Shangra-la by the western world through the 20th century. This mysterious mountain abode is tucked high in the Himalaya and is wedged between two of the world's...

Who are you at work? Some musings on identity.

"…forms of organizing, the institutional structures of employment, and the experiences of workers are intimately tied to what people do, how they do it, and to the social order that shapes and is created by work" - Prof. Stephen R. Barley,...

CASE STUDY: Regional and Rural Career Transition

THE FACTS Employees impacted: 35 Locations: 57% based rurally Length of project: 16 months Client contact: Human Resource Director

Emotions in the Workplace: Competitive Advantage or Unnecessary Pain?

Why are emotions such a hot topic in the workplace right now? This question was the start of an enthralling conversation with Professor Peter Jordan from Griffith University and Sally Kirkright, CEO of Access EAP at our recent In Conversation series...

CASE STUDY: Large Scale Site Shutdown & Career Transition - Oil & Gas Industry

THE FACTS

The (organisational) career is not dead

This was the argument of Professor David Guest, from Kings College London who spoke recently to a group of HR Directors at a joint Trevor-Roberts/Griffith Business School event. Professor Guest gave three pieces of evidence to back this.

What is the difference between coaching & mentoring?

Despite there being endless information available on the difference between mentoring and coaching, we are continually asked about the nuances of both and which one is more suitable in certain situations. In this blog, we have simplified the...

Tales of Tenacity and Triumph: The History of Australia’s Working Women

The history of the Australian working woman is long, complex and packed with stories of tenacity and triumph, inequality and injustice. Looking back at the struggles and victories of the women who came before us, we gain an appreciation for what we...

Have you given up on your employees during times of change?

Organisations must innovate the way that they view and respond to the automation of roles as technology continues to change the way the world works.

7 reasons why businesses need career transition/outplacement support

For many HR professionals and leaders, it may seem counterintuitive (or just a waste of money!) to invest in the welfare of departing staff, especially those whom an organisation has targeted to leave for a specific reason.

CASE STUDY: Large scale career transition services - international communications company

THE FACTS Employees impacted: 400+ Locations: 9 throughout Australia Length of project: 3 years Client contact: Human Resource Director and National Human Resource Business Partner team

Redesigning jobs after automation: don’t give up on your employees

NAB has flagged the loss of 6,000 jobs as the impact of new technology and digital transactions cuts a swathe through traditional banking jobs. - ABC NAB to slash 6000 jobs despite bumper $6.6bn profit - The Australian

How to re-engage your teams after a restructure

Corporate restructuring and layoffs are an unfortunate, but inevitable, part of today's business climate. Keeping your remaining employees engaged, motivated and productive after a restructure requires managers to be proactive, honest and consistent...

Using neuroplasticity for leadership

One of my strongest memories from high school is of the one and only time I was called to the Principal’s office. I had been called there because, unbeknownst to me, one of my ‘friends’ had been overheard threatening to ‘rough me up’. Also...

How to use design thinking for an extraordinary career

“What do you want to be when you grow up?” It is a question that I was asked countless times as a child and it is a question that I am not sure I can answer, even today. To be more precise, I am not sure that I can find a single answer that will be...

How to avoid the negative impacts of a career plateau

Career Plateau can be quite an apt metaphor for how people can feel at times throughout their career. It is often a flat period when it just doesn’t feel like anything is happening. Interestingly though, this isn’t always a bad thing! A career...

10x your leaders’ and organisation’s performance & productivity with leadership coaching

Jill has been working in her role for a while now. She has progressed well and has had great success but she seems to have reached a plateau in her development. As Jill’s leader or HR Business Partner, you know it's time to take things to the next...

Is a career development framework the missing link in your talent management strategy?

As most HR professionals and leaders are now aware, money is not the primary motivator when it comes to your employees wanting to stay in their role. Instead, it is intrinsic factors such as a sense of meaning and purpose, contribution,...

Enhancing employee performance through growth mindset

The role of an individual's mindset in driving positive outcomes such as recovery from stress, persistence in tasks and goal achievement has long been established. What may be more surprising though is the role of a leader's mindset in influencing...

A simple way to increase employee productivity & growth

Whilst the difference between transactional conversations and capability building conversations is subtle, we find that experimenting with capability building questions is much more likely to increase employee productivity and growth.

5 benefits of career conversations for employees and organisations

Effective career development practices build healthy organisations (O’Donnell, 2007). In recent years, research into career conversations has demonstrated the value of career development practices, generally, and the benefits of career...

5 tips on how to have a career conversation with your employees that is effective and meaningful

Whilst it is widely accepted that employees must take charge of their own careers, career conversations are a two way street and organisations must get on board. Understanding the importance of getting these conversations right is vital for both...

When should career development be used?

"So, what do you do?"….. The classic (and not to mention sometimes cliché and awkward!) question we've all faced many times at BBQs and other social gatherings. But imagine for a moment that everyone was clear about their career direction, had the...

What skills do your managers need to hold effective career conversations?

In all our time working in the careers space, what we have come to learn about career conversations in the workplace is this: they're not happening nearly as much as they should.

How we designed our career development programs

Our premise here at Trevor-Roberts is very simple. People are more productive, engaged and committed when they understand what drives and motivates them, have a clear sense of career direction, and know how their organisation contributes to a sense...

Where, when and with whom do effective career conversations happen?

It is well documented that career development efforts within the workplace significantly benefit organisations and are an important part of driving performance improvement.

Why is career development important and how does it impact engagement?

For more than two decades, research has shown us unequivocally that greater employee engagement leads to increased productivity. We even know what boosts employee engagement: employees’ relationships with their managers; job clarity; sufficient...

What are career conversations and why should you be having them?

With the changing nature of careers in today’s society, it is more important than ever for employees to manage their careers effectively. As downsizing, right sizing and offshoring become the norm, employees are often concerned about what they...

4 of our clients' most common questions about restructures & redundancies

Recently a large Human Services firm approached us to assist with a significant restructure and we were asked the following questions, which happen to be the most common questions about restructures & redundancies that we receive from clients: What...

How to plan for an unplanned career change

Unplanned career change brings with it a sudden array of pressures. These can include dealing with the uncertainty created by the loss of a formal position, financial concerns, and family instability, as well as the need to articulate capabilities...

The power of a great employer brand starts from the top

‘The employer brand, the attractiveness of that organisation as a place to work, has become as important to retention as the product brand is to product sales’. Dr Shirley Jenner and Stephen Taylor, Manchester Metropolitan University Business School...

8 tips on looking after yourself during a restructure

Transition periods can be particularly stressful for those ‘in the trenches’ - the HR professionals and leaders who are preparing for and implementing organisational changes. Many will find themselves feeling stressed and overworked, with too much...

Protecting your employer brand while restructuring

Looking after your organisation during a restructure One of the key tasks for an organisation undergoing a change project is keeping its reputation intact. In today’s social media driven world, it takes just one angry tweet and a split second for an...

Looking after your management team during a restructure

Looking after your management team during a restructure It is important to keep your management team motivated and resilient throughout the organisational change process, as they play a crucial role in the success of the change. The management team...

Looking after your team during an organisational change

It goes without saying that organisational change is a stressful time for all levels of the business. As a leader or HR professional, you are in a position to manage some of the stress that those around you may be experiencing as a result of an...

8 ways to use optimism whilst leading through organisational change

Building enthusiasm and engagement in the workplace can be challenging, particularly during times of uncertainty and organisational change. Questions we hear from leaders and HR professionals during these difficult times include: How can I motivate...

What is a Career Transition Program?

Employers typically engage Career Transition services to support affected individuals through retrenchments in a range of organisational change situations including downsizing, rightsizing and site shutdowns. Alternatively, individuals who are...

When can uncertainty be used positively whilst managing organisational change?

It has always struck me as peculiar how we comfortably live with uncertainty every day - will I make it to work on time; what shall I have for lunch; will my presentation go well - and yet during times of organisational change we want to know...

Restructure Series: What happens to survivors after a restructure?

When organisations start to think about restructuring the business, often the need to nurture the remaining employees is forgotten. However, if people don’t feel valued, they won’t stick around. This can often be the impetus for pushing high...

Restructure Series: 9 tips for choosing the best outplacement provider

Following an organisational restructure, there are many “audiences” watching how displaced people are treated and how they subsequently fare. Yet relatively few organisations handle the human element of restructures and redundancies well. However,...

Restructure Series: 5 tips on retrenching employees with dignity

Many managers and HR professional say that retrenching an employee is one of the most difficult tasks that they have faced. These same people have also experienced the wider consequences of individuals or organisations handling terminations poorly.

How to Select Leadership Development Opportunities for Employees

“How do we select the right development opportunities for our leaders?” This was a question recently asked of me by the General Manager of Organisational Development at a large infrastructure firm. This question was asked following a discussion...

Leading through a restructure: Why narratives are so important

One of the single most important tasks for executives leading through a restructure is the creation of a compelling narrative for the new future. This narrative is essential when it comes to guiding both the behaviours of an organisation’s...

Restructure Series: 7 tips on communicating redundancies to employees

We live in an information age where restructures and redundancies become news headlines when handled incorrectly. We provide the following redundancy disaster stories and offer suggestions for alternative methods of communicating redundancies to...

Restructure Series: How to manage a restructure for HR Professionals

Organisational change can be triggered by a host of different reasons, including acquisitions, mergers, divestments, downsizing, new business ventures, geographic and international growth (or retreat), restructuring, shifts in markets and services....

The top 10 skills you need to be employed by 2020

"It's easy Dad", said my son, "you just drag the command block down into the execute frame. Once you've put all the commands together you plug in the robot to the laptop and it automatically syncs to the Brain." He points to a smallish plastic block...

4 tips to ensure your Senior Leadership forum is a success

Great organisations create the opportunities for their senior leadership team to come together, build strong relationships and solve problems. Epiphanies often happen when everyone is in the room. There is something about the collective intelligence...

How Our Inner Conversations Build Our Careers

We all talk to ourselves. In our heads there are constant thoughts and reactions, aspirations and intuitions flitting about. These inner conversations are what propel us forward, for the most part. But in the busy, cut-and-thrust world of work, the...

5 Key Qualities to Consider When Appointing a CEO

There are generally two big incremental steps in the career trajectory of CEO aspirants. The first step is often a move from a divisional general management role (or functional head role) to a country head appointment. The second big step is heading...

How to support your staff through stress and underperformance

Leaders often face uncertainty on how to best deal with people who are not performing at work. Sometimes an employee’s underperformance is linked to significant stressors in their lives. According to the recent APS Annual report* on mental health,...

5 tips for networking like a professional

I could not put a price on the value of my professional network and relationships. Since joining Trevor-Roberts and having numerous discussions regarding careers, I have been surprised by the number of professionals I meet who explain that they have...

3 top tips on how to write an interesting résume

A résumé doesn’t get you a job, it just gets you an interview. These are our 3 top tips on how to write an interesting résume that hiring managers will actually want to read!

Case Study: Proactive Job Search and the Power of Networking

This week's blog was written by Trevor-Roberts Consultant, Kirsty Janney.