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…
team
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…
Ever been in a meeting that could have been an email? Sat through a conversation where someone talks in circles without getting to the point? If that frustrates you, you’re not alone. High performers hate wasted time. In any workplace, there’s a clear divide between those who get things done and those who just occupy space. High performers focus on…
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…
Many companies say they want innovation, but their structure says otherwise. If decisions only flow from the top down, the best ideas never make it to the surface. As Steve Jobs put it: “You have to be run by ideas, not hierarchy. The best ideas have to win.” Watch this clip where Steve Jobs explains why great companies prioritize ideas…
I’ve watched the engineering industry glorify speed over sense for years. We praise people who respond to emails at midnight. We celebrate those who jump from meeting to meeting without breaks. We reward constant availability over actual output. Let’s call this what it is. Broken. I recently came across an article on Nature.com that introduced me to slow productivity. This…
Recent articles claim people are less productive when working from home. From my experience, this is far from true. But it’s not just my observations. Stanford University found a 5% productivity increase during remote work, and the University of Sydney reported similar findings. Another benefit of working from home is that the average worker saves four hours weekly by not…
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….