Ever been in a meeting where everyone magically agrees with the boss? No debate. No pushback. Just a room full of nodding heads. That’s the HIPPO effect—when the Highest Paid Person’s Opinion wins by default. And it’s one of the fastest ways to kill good ideas. Why This Is a Problem The second the big boss shares their thoughts, most…
leadership
Disclaimer: This post isn’t about any one specific personality test but rather a critique of the broader trend of corporate personality assessments. These tests promise to improve teamwork and communication, but they also come with significant limitations. If you’ve ever been handed a color, an animal, or a vague descriptor and told, “this is who you are at work,” then…
There’s a certain kind of workplace that thrives on chaos. If you’ve ever been in an environment where meetings stack up, spreadsheets multiply, and priorities shift on a daily basis, you know exactly what I mean. It’s not just busy work—it’s the swirl. The swirl is that exhausting cycle of constant pivots, unnecessary check-ins, and never-ending documentation that creates the…
Most people stay in jobs longer than they should. It’s no different from staying in a relationship past its expiry date. You know it’s no longer working, but walking away feels difficult. In a workplace, the longer you stay in a toxic or stagnant environment, the more likely it is to change you before you ever change it. At some…
Leadership is everything. We’ve all heard the saying “People don’t quit companies, they quit managers.” But what happens when a bad manager is the roadblock to success? In my experience, it’s the manager that shapes the environment and culture within the team. And if that environment is toxic, frustrating, or simply uninspiring, the team will ultimately suffer. MongoDB’s CEO, Dev…
BIM sits at an interesting crossroads. It demands accuracy, structure, and process, but it also thrives on innovation and problem-solving. The industry leans heavily on outcome-driven people—those who can follow workflows, meet deadlines, and deliver predictable results. But here’s the problem, without creative minds, BIM stagnates. Watch this discussion on how businesses need creative minds but often push them aside…
BiLT ANZ has come and gone for another year, and as I sit down to reflect on the event, I’m struck by the transformative power of digital innovation in our industry. The conference provided plenty of insights, connections, and forward-thinking discussions that left me energized about the future of AEC. One of the highlights of my time at BILT was…
The Australian construction industry faces a significant challenge: a shortage of skilled workers. This issue is driven by an ageing workforce and the ongoing struggle to attract and retain talent. To address this problem, companies, governments, and educational institutions must work together. Effective Planning, Development and Partnerships Aligning HR with business strategy is important for identifying and attracting skilled workers….
Change is challenging for people and should only be engaged when there are clear benefits. Engaging in change just for the sake of change can create unnecessary disruption, individual disengagement, and dissatisfaction. In this blog post, we’ll explore the essential considerations to make before embarking on a change initiative. Make Sure the Team is Ready for Change For change to…
Leaders’ constant expression of busyness can significantly impact team performance and morale. It sets a negative example, leading team members to feel pressured to appear busy to seem important. This pressure sets the scene for a slew of bad habits and poor optics. Leaders who consistently portray themselves as busy may encourage similar behaviours in their team, fostering a culture…