Let’s talk about trust – by guest author Brenda James

Linda

The blog piece below has been republished with kind permission of  author Brenda James.  Brenda is a Leadership and Career Development Specialist with 20 years’ experience in recruitment, coaching and HR.

Chapter on Trust in Brenda James’ book Believe.

With all of us facing a tidal wave of change right now and the requirement to be more agile than ever, trust is high on the list of competencies needed in our leaders. It is the one thing that changes everything. Trust is like a rising tide; it lifts every boat. It makes every other thing we are trying to do better.

It doesn’t matter how capable or talented your people are, they may never reach their full potential if trust isn’t present. But with trust, teams can accomplish everything they set out to do… and more.

DISTRUST IS CONTAGIOUS, BUT THANKFULLY, SO IS TRUST

In its 2016 global CEO survey, PwC reported that 55% of CEOs think that a lack of trust is a threat to their organisation’s growth. But many have done little to increase trust, mainly because they aren’t sure where to start.

Stephen Covey, author of The Speed of Trust says, “trust is the new currency”. He is talking about trust in teams and being trusted as a leader. We are often reminding leaders that to be trusted, one must be trustworthy.

As Harold Macmillan said, “A man who trusts nobody is apt to be the kind of man nobody trusts.”

TRUST LEADS TO HEALTHY CONFLICT

The absence of trust occurs when team members are reluctant to be vulnerable with one another, and are often unwilling to admit their mistakes, acknowledge their weaknesses or ask for help. Trust is critical because without it, teams are unlikely to engage in unfiltered, passionate debate about key issues.

In our work with leaders in the architectural industry, we see avoidance of healthy conflict within teams frequently, yet it’s been proven that innovation and creativity flourishes when there is a collision of differences in an environment of trust. We won’t innovate when we are not willing to take a risk. Where there is high trust, it encourages high risk taking and trust is the agent that makes synergy happen.

So, how can you be the catalyst to bring an upward spiral of trust in your team?

LEAD BY EXAMPLE

If you want to build trust within your team, then lead by example and show your people that you trust others. This means trusting your team, your colleagues, and your boss. Never forget that your team members are always watching and taking cues from you – take the opportunity to show them what trust in others really looks like.

DON’T PLACE BLAME

When people work together, honest mistakes and disappointments happen, and it’s easy to outwardly place blame. However, when everyone starts pointing fingers, an unpleasant atmosphere can quickly develop. This lowers morale, undermines trust, and is ultimately unproductive.

Instead, encourage everyone in your team to think about the mistake in a constructive way. What can you all do to fix what happened, and move forward together? And how can you make sure that this mistake doesn’t happen again? Focus on lessons learned, not who to blame.

KNOW EACH OTHER PERSONALLY

One fast way to build trust is to encourage your team members to see their colleagues as people. Think about creating situations that help them to share personal stories and to bond. It is amazing how little some team members know about one another, and how just a small amount of information begins to break down barriers.

Here is an exercise we have teams do, found in Patrick Lencioni’s book, The Advantage. Note: Use your own best judgment when asking team members or colleagues personal questions – don’t invade their privacy.

Personal History Exercise

This low-risk exercise requires nothing more than going around the table during a meeting and having team members answer a short list of questions about themselves.

Questions

Where were you born?

How many siblings do you have?

What is one challenging event from your childhood?

Alternatively, you could ask about

Favourite hobbies

First job

Worst job

By describing these relatively innocent attributes or experiences, team members begin to relate to one another on a more personal basis and see one another as human beings with life stories and interesting backgrounds.

This encourages greater empathy and understanding and discourages unfair and inaccurate behavioural attributions.

FINAL WORD

Trust changes everything, not in small incremental ways, but in profound ways, so it is worth every piece of energy you invest into developing trust within your team.

As a leader, it’s important that you set an example. Show your team members how critical trust is to you by demonstrating your trust in them, as well as in your colleagues.

It is well worth your time investment to pause, check-in, and think about what you are doing to build trust within your own team. It is the one thing that changes everything.

Believe : how new leaders step up and into their full potential / James, Brenda
“Why should others believe in your leadership if you don’t believe in yourself? No matter where or when you start to experience a dent in your self-belief, once it is triggered and activated, your outlook changes. You see everything through blurred lenses. You constantly look for evidence that you are not quick enough, deserving enough or smart enough. And, of course, you always find it. But what happens if your uncertainty is so high that it’s impacting your performance? Or your team’s culture and output? Or worse, your relationship with yourself? Believing in yourself is the remedy. But how do you tangibly develop this? Ask yourself: Is now your time to move from a place of insignificance and struggle? Is now your time to thrive and fulfil your potential? Is now your time to make an impact? In Believe, author Brenda James guides you to take a deep but safe dive inward. Chapter by chapter, through a method of introspection, you are encouraged to take simple action steps and embrace tools to help illuminate all the reasons why you should believe in yourself as a leader. Embrace the process and let its wisdom equip you with one of the key fundamentals of leadership – self-belief. Come on an inspiring journey that will fill your heart with possibility. Immediately – and forever.” – back cover” (Catalogue)

Other resources on the subject of Trust and leadership within the Wellington City Libraries collection include :

The trusted leader : bringing out the best in your people and your company / Galford, Robert M.
“Based on highly specific research and experience that covers a wide spectrum of managers and organizations, The Trusted Leader identifies the three critical types of trust that leaders need to master: strategic trust, organizational trust, and personal trust. It introduces a practical and effective formula for building organizational confidence, and provides a unique analysis of the obstacles to trust and the sources of resistance to the building of trust inside organizations. Through a series of interactive exercises, executives will learn how to determine where trust is missing and how it can be supplemented in people, departments, and even whole companies. Perhaps most timely are the book’s series of diagnostic tools and skills that help executives rebuild trust that has been broken or betrayed.”–BOOK JACKET.” (Catalogue)

The agile culture : leading through trust and ownership / Pixton, Pollyanna
“Many books talk about the importance of culture to agile success. The Agile Culture shows the reader how to make the specific culture changes needed for agile success. The authors provide proven tools and models for moving from “date-driven, internally-focused” cultures to “value-driven, customer-focused” cultures where agile can thrive and flourish. They offer clear rationales for using each tool, demonstrate it at work, present relevant case studies and examples, define expected outcomes, and show how to measure success. Using these techniques, students will learn to achieve the results promised by agile: a culture of continuous innovation, transparency, and trust.” (Catalogue)

Breaking the trust barrier : how leaders close the gaps for high performance / Venable, JV
“For former US Airforce Thunderbirds’ commander and demonstration leader JV Venable, inspiring teamwork was literally a matter of life and death. On maneuvers the distance between jets was just 18 inches. Closing the gaps to sustain that kind of separation requires the highest levels of trust. On the ground or in the air, from line supervisor to CEO, we all face the same challenge. Our job is to entice those we lead to close the gaps that slow the whole team down – gaps in commitment, loyalty, and trust. Every bit of closure requires your people to let go of biases and mental safeguards that hold them back. The process the Thunderbirds use to break that barrier and craft the highest levels of trust on a team with an annual turnover of 50% is nothing short of phenomenal. That process is packaged in this book with tips and compelling stories that will help you build the team of a lifetime.” (Catalogue)

Simple truths of leadership : 52 ways to be a servant leader and build trust / Blanchard, Kenneth H
“Leadership legend Ken Blanchard teams up with Randy Conley to share the most essential lessons on servant leadership and building trust from the heart of his leadership model. Effective leadership comes down to implementing everyday, commonsense practices to help organizations thrive-and yet so many leaders are still missing these fundamental principles from their personal and professional lives. Renowned business experts Ken Blanchard and Randy Conley disclose the simple truths about leadership they have gathered over their long and distinguished careers to help bring common sense into common practice. Featuring two sections -servant leadership and building trust -this book is a collection of Blanchard’s greatest hits. It is chock-full of profound and memorable (and in some cases counterintuitive) leadership wisdom, such as: Create autonomy through boundaries; People who plan the battle rarely battle the plan; A relationship with no trust is like a cell phone with no internet;. All you can do is play games; The most important part of leadership is what happens when you’re not there. This book will help readers incorporate these integral practices into their leadership style, build trust through servant leadership, and make a difference in their own life and the lives of those they influence”– Provided by publisher.” (Catalogue)

If you need more information please contact the Prosearch team at the library.  We can help you find information across a range of perspectives and resources.  All enquiries are treated in confidence.

Skin deep: talking about tattooing in Wellington (Part 2)

Linda

Part 1 of this blog can be read here

Regulation of the industry / health and hygiene

Tattoo parlours have traditionally had a slightly seedy reputation. These days professional commercial premises lean towards a welcoming, brightly lit vibe and – importantly – high levels of cleanliness.

If you are thinking about getting a tattoo, advice from those within the industry is to think very carefully about who you get to do it and where.

A reputable studio often has a range of tattooists to choose from, portfolios on offer showcasing the work of each artist, and many businesses emphasise comfort and adherence to industry safety and hygiene guidelines as well as artist experience and areas of particular expertise or tattooing styles.

However at a national level the tattooing industry in New Zealand remains unregulated.  Anyone can purchase a tattooing gun and inks via the internet and start tattooing.  As tattooing involves piercing the skin, it is important that certain health and safety guidelines are followed.  Infection and blood borne diseases, if equipment is not hygienically prepared, are very real, and unpleasant, risks.

In 1998 the Ministry of Health published Guidelines for the Safe Piercing of Skin.

It is expected that they [the guidelines] will be used widely by operators who offer
body piercing and tattooing services in order to provide a framework
of minimum standards with respect to infection control in the industry.

These guidelines have not been updated although in 2010 the Ministry issued the  Customary Tattooing Guidelines for Operators.

Throughout New Zealand some councils have introduced their own bylaws to regulate tattooing and associated businesses.  Auckland has the most comprehensive and readily accessible set of guidelines.

In 2019, Wellington City Council planned to introduce a brand new beauty industry bylaw and sought responses about regulation of the beauty sector, following a Regional Public Health survey about infection-control procedures in nail salons in the Wellington region.  Feedback was received from a wide range of operators in the beauty industry including tattooists.

Due to the emergence of Covid in early 2020 changes were put on the back burner for now meaning that in Wellington commercial tattoo businesses continue to be self regulating.  However reputable artists and studios work to a code of ethics set out by the Tattoo Artists Association of New Zealand (TAANZ).

As with health services clients to a reputable tattoo studio are expected to sign a consent form.  The consent, waiver and release form at Buttercat studio lists nine points regarding health disclosures and acknowledgement of understanding of the tattooing process the client must sign prior to work being undertaken.  A further three points are initialled post work accepting satisfaction with the process and the care taken.

Kat from Sinatras Tattoos emphasized that complete honesty about any underlying health issues is important in both the tattooing and tattoo removal process and includes full disclosure about any medications that may increase bleeding risks.

via GIPHY

Remember in Part 1 there were unsuccessful moves in 1969 to introduce legislation preventing tattooing on anyone under the age of 18 years?  New Zealand continues to have no legal age restrictions on getting a tattoo.  It is generally accepted that if you are over the age of 16 years and capable of giving consent, then you can be tattooed.

Members of TAANZ, who follow the industry code of practice, will not tattoo anyone under the age of 18 without the written consent of a parent or guardian.  It was with parental consent that Amy (our library colleague featured in Part 1) was able to get her first tattoo at the age of 15.

In 2018 an Auckland tattooist became the first to be prosecuted under the local Health and Hygiene Bylaw 2013 for tattooing an underage youth without parental consent.

Consumer rights

via GIPHY

Readers may recall an advertisement that ran on television a while back in which a man shrugs off his shirt to reveal a giant tattoo of his partner’s image, complete with the mis-spelled phrase No regerts.

Unless the man in question specifically intended that spelling the tattoo artist could be held responsible under the Consumer Guarantees Act.  As with any service, a tattoo from a reputable studio requires them to ensure all care is taken to deliver a product the customer is happy with.  If, for legitimate reasons, the customer is unhappy with the quality of the work or feels a mistake has been made, the studio is obliged to either fix the mistake or refund you the cost as per the Act.

Read more about your rights around getting a tattoo in Risks and regrets : what to consider before getting a tattoo.  Consumer (2022) issue 614 April/May.  pp 56-60

Tattoos and copyright

via GIPHY

In 2020 an Australian IP expert asked the question : Who owns the rights to your tattoo?  While primarily Australian in content the article noted :

In New Zealand, more restrictive rules around commissioned art and copyright mean a paying client can be the first copyright owner of a custom tattoo, regardless of whether they actively contributed to the design process.

A similar piece from two years earlier, by the NZ Law Society also asked But who owns that tattoo and found that :
To prevent any copyright issues in New Zealand, a reversal of the copyright law needs to be acknowledged and agreed to by both parties to be enforced and, while the artist could retain the rights to their design after its been purchased, they can’t retain the rights to the canvas the design is on – skin. Which opens a whole new bag of worms.

Whether you are providing your artist with your own design or whether the artist is designing one for you it pays to be aware of copyright considerations and raise the subject with your tattooist.

In recent years there has also been a growing awareness of cultural appropriation amongst tattooists particularly around the etching of indigenous designs on non-indigenous people.  A reputable artist may refuse to do such work if asked and is within their right to do so.

Tattoos in the workplace

In Wellington bars and cafes it’s almost de rigueur to have at least some ink, if not a lot, on display.
And it’s not just here.  In a recent attempt to attract staff a Nelson cafe offered up a $500 tattoo voucher to the successful applicants who stayed for six months.

Owner, Kymberly said, in response to our enquiries that “…, over the last couple of years many of our staff have opted to get matching whisky glass tattoos (Glencairns) and tattoos to celebrate various distilleries and whisky festivals, this was written about recently in an article in the New York Times about one of our most loved distilleries Ardbeg where it was noted that hardcore fans have tattoos as an ode to Ardbeg”

However not all employers or workplaces are open to visible tattoos and depending on the tattoo and its placement an employer is within their rights to request that it be covered. Employsure offers advice in this piece on physical appearance in the workplace

In 2019 both the New Zealand Police and Air New Zealand moved to permit visible tattoos within prescribed limits.

As part of a recruitment campaign the Police went as far as highlighting frontline staff with tattoos and the varied stories behind the skin art.

Both organisations have similar wording for new recruits.

From the NZ Police recruitment site :
Apart from Ta Moko or equivalent, you shouldn’t have tattoos in prominent places such as the hands or face. If you do these will need to be assessed.

Tattoos which are offensive, rude, or incite hatred are totally against our values are an absolute “no”. No exceptions. [sic]

Air New Zealand allows all staff  “… to have Tā Moko and non-offensive tattoos visible when wearing our uniform or normal business attire …  We ask employees to treat tattoos like they treat speech – you can’t swear, make hateful comments or lewd jokes in the workplace, neither can your tattoos.

 The armed forces have long had a tradition of tattoos and for those serving in any branches of the Defence Forces  Tattoos, including large and highly visible cultural tattoos are acceptable provided they are appropriate for a military environment and are complementary to the NZDF’s values and image.

Learn more in this op-ed piece by employment lawyer Susan Hornsby-Geluk: Can your boss ban your tattoo?

That signs off our two part blog looking at the tattooing industry in Wellington.  If you have any comments or feedback please feel free to get in touch.

Library resources
Along with the resources we listed at the end of Part one of this blog here’s some of the other items we have consulted or have available through Wellington City Library collections

The state of the industry: From tattooing fisherman and scaffolders to anyone and everyone.  
Looks at the development of the tattooing industry in New Plymouth and includes interviews with several artists and an overview of training.  (Stuff.co.nz  Feb 07, 2020)

The inked trail: How women are shaping tattoo culture in New Zealand
Profiles two female tattoo artists – Lura Nehren-Smith and Taryn Beri, a moko kauae specialist. (Stuff.co.nz  08 September 2019)

History of tattooing
This Wikipedia entry has a concise overview of tattooing history as well as an extensive reference list.

Flash tattoo portraits / Karena, Kia Maia
“Fantasy tattoo templates.” (Catalogue)

Inked
“Inked magazine covers pop culture and music for people that enjoy Tattoo art or have Tattoo designs on their bodies. Each issue has interviews with popular celebrities and the tattoo artists who decorate their bodies. There are tons of photos to inspire your next work of body art.” (Catalogue)

On Kanopy (library registration required to access)
Tattoo uprising
From antiquity to the present, TATTOO UPRISING reveals the artistic and historical roots of today’s tattoo explosion. This sweeping overview explores how tattoos were used in early Christian practices, how they were discovered halfway around the world during the voyages of Captain James Cook, and how they exploded in popularity in America beginning with artists like Ed Hardy.

Tattoo Uprising features some of the most extraordinary people of the tattoo world including Ed Hardy, Stoney St. Clair, Cynthia Witkin, Anne de Hey! and others, as well as unforgettable appearances by filmmakers Les Blank and Werner Herzog, who allows a rare glimpse at his Ed Hardy tattoo.

Tattoo Nation
For years people saw tattoos as a sign of rebellion. A middle finger salute to the rest of the world. Outlaw bikers got tattoos. Sailors on leave in Singapore got tattoos. Lifers in the joint got tattoos. But now in the United States one out of every three adults under forty has a tattoo! So what happened? How did tattoo go from something that was put on you to an expression that comes from within you? TATTOO NATION tells the story of a few people who helped transform the world of tattoo, and the way we think about tattoos, forever. This is the true story of the ink revolution

On Libby(library registration required to access)

Tattoo Style

The World’s most incredible tattoos

Tā moko : Māori markings / Howarth, Crispin
“The practice of tā moko, and the wearing of moko, was considered an art form of a bygone day for the most part of the twentieth century, as casualty of Aotearoa New Zealand’s colonial past. However, this unique Pacific art is enjoying a revival. Its embers fanned back to life by modern practitioners in the 1980s, it has once again become a powerful form of Māori cultural expression, identity and unity. In a first for Australia, ‘Māori markings: tā moko’ looks at not only the history of this living, breathing art of our region but also shares stories of today’s proud moko wearers and practitioners”–Foreword.” (Catalogue)

Mokorua : Nga korero mo toku moko kauae – My story of moko kauae / Tikao, Ariana

One woman’s journey to her moko kauae as an expression of her Kai Tahu identity.

 

 

Pakeha ta moko : a history of the Europeans traditionally tattooed by Māori / Bentley, Trevor
“Explore the hidden history of European men and women traditionally tattooed by Maori. In Pakeha Ta Moko, Trevor Bentley examines the extent and significance of Maori and Pakeha tattoo exchange both on ship and shore between the 1790s and 1840s. He uncovers the tattooing methods as well as the purpose and significance of the designs. Bentley examines why and how some captive Pakeha males were forced to receive facial tattoos while others voluntarily crossed cultures and submitted themselves to the ta moko ritual. Through in-depth research and interviews, Bentley explores this important part of early New Zealand history.” (Catalogue)

Patterns of the past : tattoo revival in the Cook Islands / Mangos, Therese
“Patterns of the Past traces the history and practice of tattooing (tātatau) through the ancient oral traditions of the Cook Island people, as well as from reports of early Western visitors and rich archival material. The book looks at the current practices of contemporary Cook Island tattooists, what the tattoos mean and what techniques and instruments are traditionally used. More than 250 colour and black and white images included.” (Catalogue)

Tatau : Samoan tattoo, New Zealand art, global culture / Adams, Mark
“Samoan tattoing, or tatau is an ancient Polynesian art tradition and rite of passage that reaches its most powerful expression in the full body male tattoo, the pe’a. Building on the internationally touring exhibition Tatau, this extraordinary series of images by leading photographer Mark Adams documents the story of tatau in the Pacific and its remarkable globalisation.” (Catalogue)

If you need more information please contact the Prosearch team at the library.  We can help you find information across a range of perspectives and resources.  All enquiries are treated in confidence.

Skin deep: talking about tattooing in Wellington (Part 1)

Linda

“Show me a man with a tattoo and I’ll show you a man with an interesting past”
– Jack London

The art of tattooing has a long history.  Tattooing was common in Celtic cultures, indigenous communities of the Americas, throughout Asia and of course the peoples of the Pacific.

In this two part blog we look at the history of commercial tattooing in Wellington, modern day tattooing businesses, regulatory standards and legislation relating to the industry and rights associated with employment.  This blog does not cover traditional or cultural tattooing practices however resources relating to this will be referenced in our resource list at the end of the blog.

More than 100 years ago tattooists were offering their services from premises throughout the Wellington business area.  The electric tattoo machine was patented in the early 1890s and within 20 years tattooing via machine was being advertised to Wellingtonians.

Read this Brief history of commercial tattooing in Wellington to learn more.

Tattooing went rock ‘n’ roll in the late 1960s and early 70s, a time also marked by the counterculture and protests against the Vietnam war.  In Britain legislation was passed in 1969 making it
… an offence to tattoo a person under the age of eighteen except when the tattoo is performed for medical reasons by a duly qualified medical practitioner … Attempts to introduce similar legislation in New Zealand were unsuccessful.

Reporting at the time noted there were no regulations governing the operation of professional tattooists in New Zealand, they required no licence, nor did the methods or materials come under any health regulations.  It further noted there were only two professional tattooists in NZ at the time.

Today there are at least 14 tattoo businesses clustered in the vicinity of Cuba-Willis-Vivian Street.  Rogers Tattoo Art in Cuba Street is Wellington’s longest running tattoo business in operation since 1977.
At a recent tattoo expo held in New Plymouth over 250 tattooists from throughout the country along with international guests, showcased their artistry.

As we move into more modern times keep this social history in mind as we will return to some aspects of it further on.

We’re now going to meet Amy.

Amy is one of numerous Wellington City Libraries staff sporting tattoos (visible or otherwise).

“Believe it or not, some of us have piercings and tattoos and dye our hair because we think it looks pretty, not for any deep sociological reason”

– Alex Bell, The Ninth Circle

Amy got her first tattoo at 15, with parental consent (a point we will return to in Part 2 of this blog).

She has since gathered other designs signifying different life stages or just because “they looked good”.

Presently Amy is getting a series of fantastical creatures inked on her right forearm.

Based on illustrations from medieval themed manuscripts Amy intends to eventually have a sleeve of designs.  She’s done her research using art books from the library as well as internet design sites. For her the art works are personal for herself and this is the first piece that has been prominently on display.

Whether Amy realises it or not she is one of a young tattooed demographic.

A much quoted survey conducted around 2009 found one in five New Zealanders have a tattoo and for those under 30 years of age, the statistics become 1:3.  This should be no surprise to anyone who frequents any of the city’s cafes and bars.

Amy chose Rose Hu at Buttercat studios in Cuba Street’s Left Bank after seeing examples of her work online and following her social media for a while.  An owl design among Rose’s flash (ready to tattoo designs) drew Amy’s attention and she booked a consultation.  That was the beginning of an ongoing piece.

As an artist Rose’s work focuses on the cute and colourful. Her belief is that tattoos are an ultimate expression of agency and empowerment and aims to create a tattoo experience centred around these ideas.  You can see more of Rose’s work on Instagram.

Rose has been a qualified tattoo artist for a number of years and says everyone’s motivation to get a tattoo is different.  On finding a design, Amy emails it through to Rose who then draws it up, a layout is decided on consultation, photographed and then, over subsequent sessions the designs are etched onto Amy’s arm.

Of all Amy’s tattoos she is disappointed with one of her early ones as she feels the quality is not up to the standards she now expects.  She is considering her options regarding altering and reworking of this piece.

Kat from Sinatra’s tattoos specialises in laser removal of tattoos and is believed to be the only laser removal specialist operating from a local studio.

She has been doing laser removal for six years after first starting out doing cosmetic tattooing.  When a colleague who had previously done the laser removal work moved on he trained Kat to take over.

The four main reasons people consult Kat seeking tattoo removal are (in no particular order) :

Fashion changes
Visible placement
To remedy or remove poor workmanship
Partner changes

Not everyone wishes to have all traces of a tattoo removed.  Some use the laser process to alter an existing tattoo in order to have it reworked and care is needed to prepare the skin (or canvas) so it is suitable for tattooing again, a process Amy is considering.

The process can be a long, slow, and sometimes painful one with work usually done in 30 minute sessions.  Depending on the complexity anywhere between 3-4 (cover up) and ten or more (removal) sessions may be required.

Kat’s advice is to carefully consider the consequences of the design and placement.

Although name removals are regularly requested, Kat does a lot of facial work “… I see a lot of people who have left prison and are now wanting a fresh start.  I’m helping them remove [their tattoos] and change their lives.  It’s something I enjoy the most about my job”.

Even in the short time Kat has been doing removal work she has seen changes.  More younger people are requesting removal of fresh tattoos, something she finds sad.

“If I could do anything in the tattooing world it would be … to advise you to do your homework. Do your homework on the artist …. [and] think carefully about the meaning of the tattoo … and really think about placement”

Read more in Part 2

Wellington City Libraries tattoo resources

Wearing ink : the art of tattoo in New Zealand / Johansson, Dean
“Through the work of 20 of New Zealand’s best tattoo artists and photography, this book presents some of the best examples of tattoo art in New Zealand, including traditional Maori and Polynesian designs.” (Catalogue)

 

 

The art of the New Zealand tattoo / Nicholas, Anne
“”New Zealanders are the most tattooed people in the world. The popularity of this art form has inevitably led to sophistication. With the strong Polynesian influences and the renaissance of Maori culture in New Zealand the tattoo has developed in a way unmatched anywhere else in the world.” “Photographer Anne Nicholas has spent many months travelling through New Zealand tracking down the leading tattoo artists and through them the most tattooed people in this most tattooed country. The result of her research is a magnificent collection of photographs of some of the finest tattoo art. A wide range of tattoo is presented from full face Moko and Samoan traditional to modern fantasy, floral and pictorial images.”–BOOK JACKET. ” (Adapted from Catalogue)

New Zealand tattoo : in the home of the tattooist’s art / Hoult, Chris
“New Zealand Tattoo is a celebration of tattooing here in its three rich traditions: Ta Moko (Maori tattoo), Tatau (Pacific Islands tattoo) and Tattoo (European and Asian forms).” (Catalogue)

Tattoo
“From Edo-era Japan to contemporary biker culture, Tattoo combines aesthetic and anthropological approaches The practice of tattooing has an extensive primitive history in Asian and African countries, where it had social, religious and mystical roles. In 3000 BC, Ötzi (whose mummy was famously discovered in the 1990s) covered his body in 57 tattoos. In the West, meanwhile, tattoos have long been signifiers of infamy and criminality, before becoming a badge of identity for various urban tribes. Tattoo examines the artistic nature of the practice and celebrates its many cultural expressions from ancient times to the present. Among the topics explored are Native North American tattoos; American tattooing from the Revolution through the 1980s; Russian criminal tattooing; European sideshow culture; Japan’s tattoo boom during the Edo period; tattooing in the Marquesas Islands, Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand; and newly emerging Latino, Chicano and Chinese tattoo cultures. Alongside accounts of older tattoo practices (presented through rare artifacts, paintings and archival photographs) and contemporary cultural trends in tattooing, the book pays tribute to the pioneers of the modern era, those responsible for its transformation into the mainstream. In addition, it includes two “workshop” sections in which contemporary tattoo artists demonstrate their craft. The artists featured are internationally renowned, and many have created a style that has evolved into its own school. The book closes with a series of photos assessing the most recent currents in modern tattooing.” (Catalogue)

Tattoo : bodies, art, and exchange in the Pacific and the West
“Although Robbie Williams’s Maori-inspired tattoo, acquired recently when he toured New Zealand, may seem unusual and ground-breaking, it is in fact a revival of a practice begun in the late eighteenth century, when Westerners first made contact with the native peoples of the Pacific. Tattoo is both a fascinating book about these early Oceanic-European exchanges, that also documents developments up to the present day, and the first to look at the history of tattooing in Oceania itself.” (Catalogue)

Juxtapoz : tattoo
“The second book in a series from the seminal West Coast art and culture magazine, Juxtapoz Tattoo focuses on a subject very dear to the inked hearts of its readers. Most of the featured artists came up at the beginning of Tattoo’s modern renaissance in the mid 1990’s, hungry for a new approach, but steeped nonetheless in the traditions of their craft. Whether these gifted tattooists are creating a modern twist on a classic archetype, or pushing the boundaries of the future primitives aesthetic, innovation is the common goal.” (Catalogue)

The tattoo encyclopedia : a guide to choosing your tattoo / Green, Terisa
“This one-of-a-kind illustrated reference to the origins and meanings of nearly 1,000 tattoo symbols from around the world, is at once an unmatched guide for choosing a personal image and a fascinating look at the tattoo as a work of art.” (Catalogue)

 

Art on skin : tattoos, style, and the human canvas / Hajeski, Nancy J.
“Using visuals, this book showcases the beauty of the art of tattooing and aids in the choosing of a style, with detailed descriptions of the many different styles of tattoos, including fine art, cartoon characters, wildlife and more.” (Catalogue)

 

Customizing the body : the art and culture of tattooing / Sanders, Clinton
“”After looking at the sizeable collection of tattoo memorabilia, I entered the tattoo studio adjacent to the museum and, like many first-time visitors to tattoo establishments, impulsively decided to join the ranks of the tattooed. After choosing a small scarab design from the wall ‘flash,’ I submitted to the unexpectedly painful tattoo experience.” So began sociologist Clinton Sanders’ seven-year involvement in the world of tattoo culture.Customizing the Bodydiscusses tattooing as a highly social act-as a manipulation of self-image, as a symbolically meaningful form of body alteration in contemporary society. A tattoo changes “how the person experiences his or her self and, in turn, how he or she will be defined and treated by others.” Tattoos continue to be a mark of alienation from the mainstream, but they also have an affiliative effect, identifying one as a member of a select group. Common wisdom associates tattoos with life-long regret, but Sanders introduces passionate collectors-those who cannot resist the desire to “get more ink”-and tattooees who are very content with modest coverage. “(In the future) when I’m sitting around and bored with my life and I wonder if I was ever young once and did exciting things, I can look at the tattoo and remember.” Sanders’ immersion in this hidden social world-his years of hanging out in tattoo parlors and participating in conventions of enthusiasts-enable him to draw compelling portraits of tattoo collectors and artists. His interviews and observations reveal the ways in which artists are drawn into the work, their concerns in building their careers, and the nature of commercial exchange in tattoo studios. He juxtaposes an institutional view of art with the work done by highly skilled tattoo artists who are dedicated to erasing the negative stereotypes of their production and earning recognition for this marginally accepted form of body decoration. Author note:Clinton R. Sandersis Professor of Sociology at the University of Connecticut.” (Catalogue)

tattoofinder.com’s Tattoo-pedia : choose from over 1,000 of the hottest tattoo designs for your new ink
“Bigger. Badder. And more hardcore than ever. Following up the best-selling Tattoo Sourcebook, the editors of Tattoofinder.com return with a brand-new compendium of over 1,000 lush tattoo designs. Featuring classic tattoo designs, such as tribal, Celtic, and dragon, plus new categories, such as ‘geek’, this is a one-stop shop for tat newbies and ink pros alike. Tattoo-pedia not only helps you select the right style of tattoo, it also instructs you on how to create your own custom tattoo – perfectly unique to you. Complete with the latest information on tattoo removal, choosing the right studio, realistic pain and procedure information, and the latest advances in tattoo technology like tattoo ‘spas,’ this book has everything you need to get inked! Featuring artists like Friday Jones (who inked Angelina Jolie and Janeane Garofalo), Lyle Tuttle (who inked Cher and Jane Fonda), Edward Lee, Shane Hart, Brian Burkey, Rand Johnson, and more!” (Catalogue)

If you need more information please contact the Prosearch team at the library.  We can help you find information across a range of perspectives and resources.  All enquiries are treated in confidence.

Friends at work : do we need them?

Linda

Friends. 
 
Plenty of songs have been written about them; buddy movies are a popular genre and in the 90s a long running sitcom immortalised a group of them. 

As kids we probably had a gaggle of them.  As adults we are possibly more discerning, with a core of close friends and a wider network of acquaintances. 

But is it important to have friends at work? 

via GIPHY

In recent years concerns have been raised about people in society generally, but specifically in workplaces, feeling lonely and isolated.  Over the last few months as a result of research, a number of articles have been published that indicate there are benefits to having work friends for both the individual and the workplace.

As an employee, having a collegial relationship with workmates provides you with support and encourages happiness. For the employer the benefits of a happy, stable employee include employee retention, increased profitability and productivity along with improved safety adherence. 
 
In an article for the Telegraph, drawing on research for her recently published book  BFF? : the truth about female friendship (2022) author Claire Cohen provides a female perspective to business friends.   (Full article available via  Gale In Context: Global Issues,) 

BFF? : the truth about female friendship / Cohen, Claire
“From the time we start school, we are fed a diet of ‘Best Friends Forever’ – the idea that you should have a female soulmate to whom you tell all your secrets and who always has your back. It’s the stuff of Hollywood films, but for most of us it isn’t achievable. We spend years striving for a vision of female friendship that isn’t realistic instead of searching for what suits us best or appreciating what we’ve already got. BFF? is an agenda-setting, personal and humorous book that pulls back the cover on the most underappreciated relationships in our lives to interrogate what modern friendship means, why we need it and what we can do to get the most from it.” (Catalogue)  Available in hard copy, e-book and e-audiobook formats

via GIPHY

Meanwhile in the New York Times writer Emma Goldberg celebrates The Magic of your first work friends  and examines the benefits of these relationships.  (Full article available via  Gale In Context: Global Issues,) .  In the article Goldberg references Mollie West Duffy and Liz Fosslien’s recent publication, Big feelings : how to be okay when things are not okay.

Big feelings : how to be okay when things are not okay / Fosslien, Liz
“From the duo behind the bestselling book No Hard Feelings and the wildly popular LizandMollie Instagram, an insightful and approachable illustrated guide to handling our most difficult emotions. We all experience unwieldy feelings. But between our emotion-phobic society and the debilitating uncertainty of modern times, we usually don’t know how to talk about what we’re going through, much less handle it. Over the past year, Liz Fosslien and Mollie West Duffy’s online community has laughed and cried about productivity guilt, pandemic anxiety, and Zoom fatigue. Now, Big Feelings addresses anyone intimidated by oversized feelings they can’t predict or control, offering the tools to understand what’s really going on, find comfort, and face the future with a sense of newfound agency. Weaving surprising science with personal stories and original illustrations, each chapter examines one uncomfortable feeling-like envy, burnout, and anxiety-and lays out strategies for turning big emotions into manageable ones. You’ll learn: How to end the cycle of intrusive thoughts brought on by regret, and instead use this feeling as a compass for making decisions How to identify what’s behind your anger and communicate it productively, without putting people on the defensive Why we might be suffering from perfectionism even if we feel far from perfect, and how to detach your self-worth from what you do Big Feelings helps us understand that difficult emotions are not abnormal, and that we can emerge from them with a deeper sense of meaning. We can’t stop emotions from bubbling up, but we can learn how to make peace with them”– Provided by publisher.” (Catalogue)

 Writing for MIT Sloan Management Review author Lynda Gratton also drew on research for her recently published book Redesigning work in her article Why you should make friends at work

“Friendships at work matter. When so many hours are spent working, having someone who understands our situation — the players involved, the office dynamics, and the general organizational culture — can help buffer routine stress. When we share our experiences, it often reminds us that others have gone through similar ones”.

Redesigning work : how to transform your organization and make hybrid work for everyone / Gratton, Lynda
“How companies can use the recent shifts in business norms and culture to reset work for the coming decade and beyond”– Provided by publisher.” (Catalogue)

 

 

In October the Harvard Business Review posted The Power of Work Friends giving some tips on how a manager can “… create and maintain a friendship-friendly workplace”. 

Also newly published and an interesting read is Marisa Franco’s Platonic.

Platonic : how the science of attachment can help you make–and keep–friends / Franco, Marisa G.
“How do we make and keep friends in an era of distraction, burnout, and chaos, especially in a society that often prizes romantic love at the expense of other relationships? In Platonic, Dr. Marisa G. Franco unpacks the latest, often counterintuitive findings about the bonds between us–for example, why your friends aren’t texting you back (it’s not because they hate you!), and the myth of “friendships happening organically” (making friends, like cultivating any relationship, requires effort!). As Dr. Franco explains, to make and keep friends you must understand your attachment style–secure, anxious, or avoidant: it is the key to unlocking what’s working (and what’s failing) in your friendships. Making new friends, and deepening longstanding relationships, is possible at any age–in fact, it’s essential. The good news: there are specific, research-based ways to improve the number and quality of your connections using the insights of attachment theory and the latest scientific research on friendship. Platonic provides a clear and actionable blueprint for forging strong, lasting connections with others–and for becoming our happiest, most fulfilled selves in the process.” (Catalogue)

via GIPHY

For a look inside the power a work friendship can unleash check out :

The undoing project : a friendship that changed our minds / Lewis, Michael
“Forty years ago, Israeli psychologists Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky wrote a series of breathtakingly original studies undoing our assumptions about the decision-making process. Their papers showed the ways in which the human mind erred, systematically, when forced to make judgments in uncertain situations. Their work created the field of behavioral economics, revolutionized Big Data studies, advanced evidence-based medicine, led to a new approach to government regulation, and made much of Michael Lewis’s own work possible. Kahneman and Tversky are more responsible than anybody for the powerful trend to mistrust human intuition and defer to algorithms.The Undoing Project is about a compelling collaboration between two men who have the dimensions of great literary figures. They became heroes in the university and on the battlefield–both had important careers in the Israeli military–and their research was deeply linked to their extraordinary life experiences. Amos Tversky was a brilliant, self-confident warrior and extrovert, the center of rapt attention in any room; Kahneman, a fugitive from the Nazis in his childhood, was an introvert whose questing self-doubt was the seedbed of his ideas. They became one of the greatest partnerships in the history of science, working together so closely that they couldn’t remember whose brain originated which ideas, or who should claim credit. They flipped a coin to decide the lead authorship on the first paper they wrote, and simply alternated thereafter.This story about the workings of the human mind is explored through the personalities of two fascinating individuals so fundamentally different from each other that they seem unlikely friends or colleagues. In the process they may well have changed, for good, mankind’s view of its own mind.” (Catalogue)

If you need more information please contact the Prosearch team at the library.  We can help you find information across a range of perspectives and resources.  All enquiries are treated in confidence.

Talking Raising Capital with Roscoe Price Moor, Roady

Linda

Dragon’s Den.
Shark Tank.

Many readers will be familiar with these reality television shows in which fledgling entrepreneurs pitch their business start-up idea to experienced business people, seeking their investment.

In 2020 Roscoe Price-Moor stood in front of a group of potential investors and pitched his idea for an app, Roady.

Roady began in 2017 as bespoke itinerary planning business for independent international travellers.

Roscoe worked with clients to design a self-drive road trip taking in aspects of Aotearoa that appealed to independent travellers.

It was though, a labour intensive process. Taking inspiration from Pokemon Go Roscoe began thinking about a similar app style that could be used by tourists, whereby they could use the app to devise their own itinerary while adding a game element to a road trip.

Originally trained as a Physical Education teacher, Roscoe worked on his business and kept thinking about potential app development whilst continuing to work as a relief PE teacher.

Then in early 2020 along came Covid and no one was road-tripping anywhere.  Two years on Roscoe says, with hindsight, that Covid was a good thing because it forced him to consider his options and “Put the old model to bed”.

With his travel app idea still very much a concept, Roscoe signed up for a Creative HQ incubator course.

The Incubator is a 6-month hybrid programme open to startups based in Te Whanganui-a-Tara, Wellington.

The Creative HQ programme allows participants time to concentrate exclusively on the development of their idea, whilst providing them with the information required to start a business alongside mentoring from experienced business people.

An invitation followed to participate in a development accelerator programme specifically for tourism at the end of which Roscoe’s idea was refined and he then pitched the concept to a group of Angel HQ investors.

“Raising capital was completely new to me.  It was certainly something Creative HQ and the mentors in the programme helped with … making me aware of the options out there …

… you really need to be confident and have a clear plan.  You really need to be able to articulate to these investors what their money is going to get them as a result of the funding…” 

The resulting funding allowed Roscoe to get Roady off the ground, employ a staffer and formally launch the business in August this year.  Free to download, Roady is now tracking at 18, 000+ downloads with more expected as the summer holiday period approaches and inbound tourism numbers increase.

Following the successful uptake in New Zealand the company is now planning expanding into the Australian market.

Learn more about the Roady journey and development plans in Wellington City Libraries’ interview with Roscoe.

If you want to know more about how to successfully seek investor funding we’ve collated some resources for you.

Online resources and articles

Callaghan Innovation has created and made available, “Capital education resources to help businesses understand the equity capital raising process in New Zealand. No matter what age or stage your company or innovation is at, these resources offer expert advice on how to raise the capital needed to build a thriving business – even in a COVID-19 impacted environment.  You can find them here

Late last year the University of Auckland published research “documenting the experiences women entrepreneurs have had when trying to raise capital has revealed the challenges they face navigating entrepreneurial ecosystems”.

Dr Janine Swail’s research Raising Capital in Aotearoa New Zealand: Insights From Women Entrepreneurs provides insights from 26 female entrepreneurs.

Business.govt.nz outlines what lenders look for if you are Applying for a Loan
“Lenders want to see good financial habits, a clear vision for the future, and a funding proposal supported by processes and a strong team. See what else they look for and how you can improve your chances of getting finance”.

Samantha Novak’s article 7 Creative Financing Options for New Businesses and Startups looks at some of the alternative, less traditional routes to raising investment to help develop your fledgling business.

Jason Yeh, Adamant Ventures, shares some of the lessons learned from over 15 years in business in How to Avoid Your Biggest Fundraising Mistake and Successfully Raise Capital

8 Things to Know Before Raising Startup Capital offers advice from business owners and lending experts to those seeking startup capital for new ventures.

Books in the WCL collection

Pitch like Hollywood : what you can learn from the high-stakes film industry / Desberg, Peter
“A clinical psychologist and writer/producer share secrets to overcoming presentation anxiety and crafting the perfect “award-winning” pitch-no matter what industry you work in! From impromptu elevator pitches to full-board presentations, sales and marketing professionals face an “audience” daily-often with make-or-break consequences. No matter what business you’re in, you can up your game substantially by incorporating elements of a classic Hollywood pitch: driving emotion, piquing curiosity, and ultimately winning over decision makers with top-notch persuasion and performance. Pitch Like Hollywood, clinical psychologist Peter Desberg and writer/producer Jeffrey Davis take you on an insiders’ tour of the entire process, from defining the fundamentals to smart strategies for overcoming stage fright (pitch panic). They also include a step-by-step guide so that you can adapt the Hollywood Pitch for your next board meeting or sales call…”– Provided by publisher.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Backable : the surprising truth behind what makes people take a chance on you / Gupta, Suneel
“No one makes it alone. But there’s a reason why some people can get investors or bosses to believe in them while others cannot. And that reason has little to do with experience, pedigree or a polished business plan. Backable people seem to have a hidden quality that inspires others to take action. We often chalk this up to natural talent or charisma…either you have “it” or you don’t. After getting rejected by every investor he pitched, Suneel Gupta had a burning question: could “it” be learned? Drawing lessons from hundreds of the world’s biggest thinkers, Suneel discovered how to pitch new ideas in a way that has raised millions of dollars, influenced large-scale change inside massive corporations, and even convinced his 8-year old daughter to clean her room. Inside are long-held secrets from producers of Oscar-winning films, members of Congress, military leaders, culinary stars, venture capitalists, founders of unicorn-status startups, and executives at iconic companies like Lego, Method, and Pixar. Backable reveals how the key to success is not charisma, connections, or even your resume, but rather your ability to persuade others to take a chance on you. This groundbreaking book will show you how.” — Goodreads.” (Catalogue)

The entrepreneur’s guide to raising capital / Nour, David
“Ask any established business owner to identify his or her toughest challenge when just starting out, and you’ll likely get this answer: raising capital. Most aspiring entrepreneurs know far too little about the sources of money that can help start a business or fuel its growth. Where do you get capital? What are investors looking for? How do you ask for money in a way that gets results? This book answers these and many other critical questions… The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Raising Capital, designed to help entrepreneurs navigate the money-raising maze, shows how to attract financing to fund the start-up and growth phases any business moves through. It answers the most common_and the most perplexing_questions entrepreneurs have about financing a business: How do I put together a credible request for funds? How do I choose wisely from among the plethora of financial and strategic investors, consultants, investment bankers, and other intermediaries? How do I identify and avoid the risks associated with various sources of capital? How do I plan for the right kind, amount, and source of smart capital as the business evolves? How do I get the highest return on invested capital? How do I avoid the biggest mistakes entrepreneurs make when raising capital? This book provides real-life, pragmatic advice from entrepreneurs who have raised money from friends, family, angel investors, and banks, as well as institutional investors such as venture capitalists and private equity firms. It details the process from start to finish while spotlighting the danger spots and ways to avoid them. It will be especially useful to those who are uncomfortable making important financial decisions, and to those who are confused by all the conflicting opinions offered by advisors_both well meaning and otherwise. By showing readers the financing ropes, Nour removes a major source of stress for budding entrepreneurs and moves them closer to their dream come true: a successful business.” (Catalogue)

Funded : the entrepreneur’s guide to raising your first round / Hague, Katherine
“The venture capital world is often intimidating and hard to navigate, even for the most seasoned entrepreneurs. But it doesn’t have to be. Entrepreneurs who run effective fundraising processes don’t do it by accident. With this book, you’ll learn what it takes to successfully raise a round of funding for your company. Author Katherine Hague explains how the venture capital industry works, and walks you through each step necessary to plan, execute, and optimize your own fundraising round. Packed full of exercises, checklists, and templates, this book guides you through the process from start to finish. It’s ideal for entrepreneurs raising later rounds of capital, as well as those just starting out.
Gain an understanding of core venture capital concepts and standards
Learn how to develop and hone an investor pitch
Come away with a plan to hit the fundraising trail for your company
Develop the confidence you need to negotiate key terms in a funding deal
Understand best practices in fundraising, and learn how to avoid the top 10 fundraising mistakes” (Catalogue)

Building wealth through venture capital : a practical guide for investors and the entrepreneurs they fund / Batterson, Leonard A.
“Venture capital demystified, for both investors and entrepreneurs Building Wealth Through Venture Capital is a practical how-to guide for both sides of the table–investors and the entrepreneurs they fund.” (Catalogue)

Angel : how to invest in technology startups-timeless advice from an angel investor who turned $100,000 into $100,000,000 / Calacanis, Jason
“One of Silicon Valley’s most successful angel investors shares his rules for investing in startups. There are two ways to make money in startups: create something valuable-or invest in the people that are creating valuable things. Over the past twenty-five years, Jason Calacanis has made a fortune investing in creators, spotting and helping build and fund a number of successful technology startups-investments that have earned him tens of millions of dollars. Now, in this enlightening guide that is sure to become the bible for twenty-first century investors, Calacanis takes potential angels step-by-step through his proven method of creating massive wealth: startups… He guides you step by step through the process, revealing how leading investors evaluate new ventures, calculating the risks and rewards, and explains how the best startups leverage relationships with angel investors for the best results. Whether you’re an aspiring investor or a budding entrepreneur, Angel will inspire and educate you on all the ins of outs. Buckle up for a wild ride into the world of angel investing!” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Crowdfunding intelligence : the no-nonsense guide to raising investment funds on the Internet / Buckingham, Chris
“Crowdfunding’s time has arrived! Through the power of the Internet, it represents one of the most exhilarating ways to raise investment funds for your dream project. It enables you to get exposure in the public domain and can mean a seal of approval being given to your ideas by the masses. Developed from crowdsourcing – where people get together to generate ideas and solve problems – crowdfunding is an extension of this, only now the crowd add money (funding) to a project. It offers investment solutions to project needs in all sorts of fields, from apps to zoos. This book provides unrivalled explanations and frameworks to help any entrepreneur or business to prepare and execute a successful crowdfunding campaign and raise the capital they need. It contains expert insights and advice from the major players in the sector, including the leading crowdfunding sites, on how success can be achieved.”–Amazon website.” (Catalogue)

Last, but not least, if you are interested in tourism development this new publication from Bridget Williams Books may interest.

100% Pure Future: New Zealand Tourism Renewed
Sarah Bennett (ed).  Contributors: Dave Bamford, Susanne Becken, Hugh Logan, Rod Oram, Raewyn Peart, David Simmons, Erna Spijkerbosch, Te Ngaehe Wanikau and Tony Wheeler.
Covid-19 has had a devastating effect on New Zealand tourism, but the industry was already troubled by unchecked growth and questionable governance that has put pressure on the environment, infrastructure and communities. In this urgent collection of essays, nine writers outline their vision for sustainable tourism, the barriers to achieving it and how they can be overcome. This BWB Text is a rallying call for a genuine tourism ‘reset’ that puts the environment first and creates more meaningful exchanges between visitors and their hosts.

If you need more information please contact the Prosearch team at the library.  We can help you find information across a range of perspectives and resources.  All enquiries are treated in confidence.

Remote working

Linda

“Your family aren’t supposed to be your colleagues” said a co-worker returning to the office after an extended period of working from home, whereas a friend recently grumbled that “They want us to come back into the office more often!”.

For some people setting up a workspace at the end of the kitchen table is fine if it’s just you and the cat at home, but when you have to share that same workspace with the requirements of a partner and a couple of kids, home can become a bit small and cramped.

It’s not just the idea of sharing space it’s also the efficiency and productivity of the working day that has changed for many.

An acquaintance found the work challenges brought about by Covid to be ultimately positive for his organisational practices.  At short notice his team were forced to rapidly upskill their familiarity with technology, in order for the business to continue operating.  This they did and now have a more efficient and flexible way of operating that works well for his team.

Another friend noticed that when she worked from home she was more productive, despite sharing her work space with family.  Without having to travel to work she had flexibility to begin work at 6.00 am and get many of her daily tasks ticked off her list, before the kids started their online learning.  Later in the day she returned to “work” and worked into the evening.  My friend noted that had she been in the office her days would have been full of interruptions along with impromptu, and often lengthy, chats with colleagues.

Remote working, virtual teams, telecommuting, hybrid work, flexi-work, or work-from-home.  Whatever you call it, a version of it is here to stay with many workplaces now offering a flexible policy around working from home.

So how do you make it work for everyone involved and how can you successfully manage teams from a distance.  Managing the technology productively is only part of the equation.  A large part is making sure people feel connected to the office and the rest of the team.  As a manager how can you effectively lead a team if you don’t see them?

We’ve compiled a list of resources that anyone leading a remote team, or working remotely might find helpful.

The 10-second commute : new realities of virtual work / Kurtzberg, Terri R.
“Widespread remote work is now possible, but it comes with its share of frustrations. Virtual work has changed our lives in ways big and small, from trying to balance our time to what we wear and where we sit and from how we communicate to where we should look during a videoconference. It’s also fundamentally changed what kinds of jobs we can now do. Grounded in research and including lively personal anecdotes, The 10-Second Commute provides a thoughtful and comprehensive scan of the nature of virtual work. The authors, both researchers in management and technology, explore the current questions of our virtual lives, such as: Why Zoom instead of Skype? Why are emoji so useful? Why is videoconferencing so exhausting? How does diversity at work both help and hinder productivity? Virtual work is more than just work-it permeates our whole lives, and it will continue to do so as hybrid work arrangements become the new normal. Helping readers better understand the virtual work experience, this book will engage and inform everyone who is still trying to make virtual work work”– Provided by publisher.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

How to thrive in the virtual workplace : simple and effective tips for successful, productive and empowered remote work / Glazer, Robert
“The business world was already gravitating toward virtual workplaces, even before COVID-19 created the largest remote work experiment in history. Suddenly organisations as big as Twitter were learning their employees didn’t need an office in order to get great results. This is something Robert Glazer has known for over a decade. In the highly actionable How to Thrive in the Virtual Workplace, Glazer taps into his experience managing a virtual office – and winning twenty “best places to work” awards – while providing leaders with a step-by-step playbook on how to intentionally build a remote workforce and culture by developing core values that provide guidance in hiring talent who work well remotely, creating comprehensive onboarding plans, using technology to communicate and connect with remote employees, and more. This goes way beyond a typical HR strategy book. By employing these specific strategies, leaders can build a remote environment that thrives and make it one of their key competitive advantages. The remote work revolution is here – the leaders who will build the future are the ones who can lead top performing virtual teams. Learn how to build a world-class organisation – office no longer required.” (Catalogue)

The nowhere office : reinventing work and the workplace of the future / Hobsbawm, Julia
“Analysing the current remote-based workforce created by the pandemic, one of the foremost thinkers in business and organization voices the problems that beset work and advocates for using this moment to initiate the biggest transformational change in the workplace in a century.” (Catalogue)

 

Redesigning work : how to transform your organization and make hybrid work for everyone / Gratton, Lynda
“How companies can use the recent shifts in business norms and culture to reset work for the coming decade and beyond”– Provided by publisher.” (Catalogue)

 

 

Remote, Inc. : how to thrive at work . . . wherever you are / Pozen, Robert C.
“You can thrive and excel when you’re working remotely, if you adopt the mindset, habits and tech tools of professionals who are even more productive outside the office: Learn to think like a “business of one,” and that entrepreneurial mindset will transform your experience of remote work. Remote work can be satisfying and productive—once you craft a strategy that taps into the unique advantages of working from home. After a year in which many of us plunged into remote work overnight, we finally have a chance to make thoughtful choices about how to combine remote and office work, and how to make the most of our days at home. Remote, Inc. gives you the strategies and tools you need to make remote work a valuable part of your renewed working life. Remote, Inc. takes you inside the mindset and habits of people who flourish while working outside the office some or all of the time: people who function like a “business of one”. That’s how productivity experts Robert C. Pozen and Alexandra Samuel describe the mindset that lets people thrive when they’re working remotely, whether full-time or in combination with time at the office. You can follow their lead by embracing the work habits and independence of a small business owner—while also tapping into the benefits of collegiality and online collaboration. — Provided by publisher.” (Catalogue)

Remote work revolution : succeeding from anywhere / Neeley, Tsedal
“A Harvard Business School professor and leading expert in virtual and global work provides remote workers and leaders with the best practices necessary to perform at the highest levels in their organizations. The rapid and unprecedented changes brought on by Covid-19 have accelerated the transition to remote working, requiring the wholesale migration of nearly entire companies to virtual work in just weeks, leaving managers and employees scrambling to adjust. This massive transition has forced companies to rapidly advance their digital footprint, using cloud, storage, cybersecurity, and device tools to accommodate their new remote workforce. Experiencing the benefits of remote working – including nonexistent commute times, lower operational costs, and a larger pool of global job applicants – many companies, including Twitter and Google, plan to permanently incorporate remote days or give employees the option to work from home full-time. But virtual work has it challenges. Employees feel lost, isolated, out of sync, and out of sight. They want to know how to build trust, maintain connections without in-person interactions, and a proper work/life balance. Managers want to know how to lead virtually, how to keep their teams motivated, what digital tools they’ll need, and how to keep employees productive. Providing compelling, evidence-based answers to these and other pressing issues, Remote Work Revolution is essential for navigating the enduring challenges teams and managers face. Filled with specific actionable steps and interactive tools, this timely book will help team members deliver results previously out of reach. Following Neeley’s advice, employees will be able to break through routine norms to successfully use remote work to benefit themselves, their groups, and ultimately their organizations. — Provided by publisher.” (Catalogue)

Leadership in a Zoom economy with Microsoft Teams : applying leadership to a remote workforce / Ward, Peter
“Manage and lead a team remotely by intertwining leadership principles with the many robust tools of Microsoft Teams. This book shows you how to utilize Microsoft Teams in an effective way to achieve your global team goals. Leading a team is a challenge, but leading a team in the zoom economy can make you stressed out and overworked. Peter Ward gives the reader a communication and organization centered approach for the dynamic, hardworking, successful employee who wants to step into a leadership role and vastly improve their organization with the aid of Microsoft Teams. Ward shares his own “rules” for successful leadership of teams and small companies, to scale at a steady pace, creating a culture of accountability and responsibility, with a remote workforce, not using venture capital, and applying minimal bureaucracy. Ward says teamwork, right hires, diversity, and work balance are equally important as profitability. Leadership in a Zoom Economy with Microsoft Teams is a portrait of a productive, sane, balanced life that is organized and filled with rich results. After reading this book, you will be able to extend your Microsoft Team capabilities to day-to-day leadership principles. What Will You Learn Use MS Teams to build trust in your remote or virtual workplace with teams Work with Planner, Outlook, and Tasks within MS Teams Coach, mentor, and develop your team when you are not in the exact location Lead a remote workforce effectively Apply an entrepreneur mentality to remote teams Create a culture that is innovative and creative when you are a dispersed organization Who This Book Is For Managers who want to step into leadership, and leaders who want to raise their leadership game using Microsoft Teams as a technical tool.” (Catalogue)

Remote workplace culture : how to bring energy and focus to remote teams / O’Meara, Sean
“The way we work has changed and a strong and supportive company culture is key for success. When employees are working remotely, even if only occasionally, HR professionals and business leaders need to think differently. Practitioners now need to motivate their workforce, support talent development, ensure an inclusive environment and protect their employees’ mental health, all without being in the same physical space. A strong and effective company culture that is built specifically with this purpose in mind is key. Remote Workplace Culture is a practical guide that shows how to achieve this and explains why simply replicating what used to happen in the office in a virtual environment doesn’t work. This book shows how a strong culture for remote workers helps attract the best talent, whether this is nationally or globally and also explains how to prioritize inclusion. There is also specific guidance on wellbeing initiatives, how to replace social learning in a partially remote working culture and how to avoid common pitfalls such as an overreliance on technology, the blurring of work/life boundaries and a misunderstanding of remote working etiquette. Supported by case studies from global organizations including Facebook, the BBC, Trello Inc and Direct Line Insurance, this is essential reading for all HR professionals and business leaders needing to develop strong company culture in the new world of work”– Provided by publisher.” (Catalogue)

Virtual leadership : practical strategies for success with remote or hybrid work and teams / Pullan, Penny
“Remote working and virtual business practices are now embedded in companies across all industries. Learn the best practices and skills needed to effectively manage your team with this guide to virtual leadership. Virtual Leadership offers straightforward and proven methods for developing strategies to lead virtual teams. This guide for the modern leader explains how to optimize productivity and drive engagement by addressing common challenges, such as creating cohesive teams, working across time zones and cultures and handling offline distractions. Clear guidance is offered on how to lead in and outside of meetings to ensure that those working remotely are effectively steered. The fully revised second edition provides key information on the latest developments in virtual leadership and how to lead team members adopting a hybrid working approach (partly virtual but not entirely) in detail. New cases studies from education, community, healthcare and government also feature to highlight insights that can be taken from other fields. Leading virtual teams requires a new set of skills and a facilitative leadership approach, Virtual Leadership is here to help”– Provided by publisher.” (Catalogue)

Leading from anywhere : the essential guide to managing remote teams / Burkus, David
“Top business thought leader David Burkus has mined the very best research on virtual teams and case studies of companies that have not just survived but thrived through remote work to provide managers with the field guide to leading remotely, packed with everyday examples and illuminating insights.” (Catalogue)

Some shorter reads :

From Hays there is a blog piece on How to manage a remote team.  Forbes magazine offers up 13 Tips For Leading And Managing Remote Teams.  Gordon Tredgold’s blog offers tips on How to lead and manage a remote team like a pro.  Workplace considers the role of trust in making remote teams successful while the HBR considers how to stay visible when you, as a manager are working from home, but the team is office based.

Engagement and connection are also a big part of the remote experience.  Whether you are working remotely or hosting/joining in a remote meeting  there are ways to make remote meetings more worthwhile.  Doing it by the numbers this article suggests 5 ways to use ‘Social Bookends’ to engage remote employees while this one offers 8 ways to help people feel connected during a virtual meeting

If you need more information please contact the Prosearch team at the library.  We can help you find information across a range of perspectives and resources.  All enquiries are treated in confidence.

 

McKinsey on Books – Author Talks

Linda

Global management consultancy McKinsey and Company offers a regular online series called Author Talks in which they present interviews with authors of newly published business books. 

Through these interviews readers are able to gain more insight into the author’s experiences and knowledge on their topics.

In today’s blog we’ve linked some of these interviews with the books available in the Wellington City Libraries collection.

Author Talks: Unleash your team’s full potential
Bestselling author Daniel Coyle defines the essential elements that create the foundation for optimal company culture.


The culture playbook : 60 highly effective actions to help your group succeed / Coyle, Daniel
“What is great culture made of? How do you get more of it, or turn around a group that needs improving? In The Culture Playbook, Daniel Coyle delivers a field-tested guide for building strong, cohesive, high-performing groups. Coyle, author of the New York Times bestselling The Culture Code, has spent the last six years studying and consulting with some of the most successful groups on the planet – including Pixar, Navy SEALS Team 6 and others. Here, he distils his findings into 60 concise, actionable, scientifically proven tips for building safety, generating trust, and establishing purpose – plus a set of conversation-igniting exercises to help you assess and improve your current culture. The result is a book that will sharpen the skills of any leader and strengthen the cohesion of any team – because it demonstrates that great culture is not controlled by fate or luck; it’s controlled by you”–Publisher’s description.” (Catalogue)

Author talks : Think digital
People have long worried about being replaced by machines, but Tsedal Neeley says the true threat to job security in the digital age is other humans—namely those who know how to use digital tools.

The digital mindset : what it really takes to thrive in the age of data, algorithms, and AI / Leonardi, Paul M.

“The digital revolution is here. It’s changing how work gets done, how industries are structured, and how people from all walks of life work, behave, and relate to each other. To thrive in a world driven by data and powered by algorithms, we must learn to see, think, and act in new ways. We need to develop a digital mindset. But what does that mean? Some fear it means that in the near future we will all need to become technologists who master the intricacies of coding, algorithms, AI, machine learning, robotics, and who-knows-what’s-next. This book introduces three approaches – Collaboration, Computation, and Change – that you need for a digital mindset and the perspectives and actions within each approach that will enable you to develop the digital skills you need. With a digital mindset, you can ask the right questions, make smart decisions, and appreciate new possibilities for a digital future. Leaders who adopt these approaches will be able to develop their organization’s talent to prepare their company for successful and continued digital transformation. Award-winning researchers and professors Paul Leonardi and Tsedal Neeley will show you how, and let you in on a surprising and welcome secret: developing a digital mindset isn’t as hard as we think. Most people can become digitally savvy if they follow the “30% rule”-the minimum threshold that gives us just enough digital literacy to understand and take advantage of the digital threads woven into the fabric of our world”– Provided by publisher.” (Catalogue)


Author Talks: How to fall in love with work
Out of the thousands of moments in a workday, says Marcus Buckingham, you should spend 20 percent on your most beloved areas of mastery.

Love + work : how to find what you love, love what you do, and do it for the rest of your life / Buckingham, Marcus
“We’re in the middle of an epidemic of stress and anxiety. A global pandemic has wreaked havoc on our lives. Average life expectancy in the United States is down. At work, less than 16 percent of us are fully engaged. In many high-stress jobs, such as distribution centers, emergency room nursing, and teaching, incidences of PTSD are higher than for soldiers returning from war zones. We’re getting something terribly wrong. We’ve designed the love out of our workplaces, and our schools too, so that they fail utterly to provide for or capitalize on one of our most basic human needs: our need for love. As Marcus Buckingham shows in this eye-opening, uplifting book, love is an energy, and like all forms of energy, it must flow. It demands expression-and that expression is “work.” Whether in our professional accomplishments, our relationships, or our response to all the many slings and arrows of life, we know that none of this work will be our best unless it is made with love. There’s no learning without love, no innovation, no service, no sustainable growth. Love and work are inextricable. Buckingham first starkly highlights the contours of our loveless work lives and explains how we got here. Next, he relates how we all develop best in response to other human beings. What does a great work relationship look like when the other person is cued to your loves? What does a great team look like when each member is primed to be a mirror, an amplifier, of the loves of another? Finally, he shows how you can weave love back into the world of work as a force for good, how you can use your daily life routines to pinpoint your specific loves, and how you can make this a discipline for the rest of your life. Today, too often, love comes last at work, and we are living the painful consequences of this. Love + Work powerfully shows why love must come first-and how we can make this happen”– Provided by publisher.” (Catalogue)

Author Talks: Quiet!
Noise, notifications, anxiety. Internally and externally, life has never been more distracting—which is why finding moments of silence has never been more important.

Golden : the power of silence in a world of noise / Zorn, Justin
“Golden, The Power of Silence in a World of Noise offers a new way of understanding the unprecedented mass proliferation of sensory input we live with, how it impacts us, and strategies and practices we as individuals, groups, organizations, and society at-large can use to turn down the noise. Silence isn’t simply an absence of noise. At a time when everyday life demands our attention at every waking moment, Justin Zorn shares what scientists, philosophers, spiritual practitioners, creatives, and businesspeople have discovered about the nature of silence. In this timely and enlightening book, they examine how we can be quiet together-suggesting how we create group norms among colleagues, in families, and between partners. With the explosion of open workspaces, the issue of working quiet is an urgent one; Justin offer innovative often counterintuitive strategies to create productive environments. Thought-provoking and practical, Justin Zorn asks why we are letting silence slip away and what we can do to stop it?” — Publisher’s description.” (Catalogue)

Author Talks: Africa is not a country
News, entertainment, and even charity campaigns tend to promote a stereotypical image of Africa that ignores its nuance and history. Dipo Faloyin is correcting this narrative.

Africa is not a country : breaking stereotypes of modern Africa / Faloyin, Dipo
“You already know these stereotypes. So often Africa is depicted simplistically as an arid red landscape of famines and safaris, uniquely plagued by poverty and strife. In this funny and insightful book, Dipo Faloyin offers a much-needed corrective. He examines each country’s colonial heritage, and explores a wide range of subjects, from chronicling urban life in Lagos and the lively West African rivalry over who makes the best Jollof rice, to the story of democracy in seven dictatorships and the dangers of stereotypes in popular culture. By turns intimate and political, Africa Is Not A Country brings the story of the continent towards reality, celebrating the energy and fabric of its different cultures and communities in a way that has never been done before.” — publisher.” (Catalogue)

Author Talks: 25 million … and counting
Despite life-threatening circumstances, refugees are some of the most entrepreneurial people in the world. Andrew Leon Hanna shares why.

25 million sparks : the untold story of refugee entrepreneurs / Hanna, Andrew Leon
“25 Million Sparks is a powerful story of hope – a beautiful reminder of our equal dignity, common humanity, and brilliant potential for innovation. It sheds light on the brutal injustices of war and violence – while celebrating refugees’ records of uplifting communities, generating transformative ideas, and creating peace even amid disaster. Hanna’s captivating human-centered narration of the stories of three women entrepreneurs in the Za’atari camp allows their voices to be heard clearly. These stories, along with others across the globe, are illustrative of the resilience and the power of refugees – and particularly of refugee women – to heal, lead, and advance communities around the world… if only the world recognizes, listens to, and invests in them appropriately.”– Provided by publisher.” (Catalogue)

Author Talks: People, planet, profits, and …
Simmons University President Lynn Perry Wooten refreshes the triple bottom line with a fourth pillar for leading through compounding crises.

The prepared leader / James, Erika H. 
“In no other time in recent history have leaders in every industry and on every continent grappled with so many changes that have independently and simultaneously undermined their ability to lead. The Prepared Leader encapsulates more than two decades of the authors’ research to convey how it has positioned them to navigate through the distinct challenges of today and tomorrow. Their insights have implications for every leader in every industry and every worker at every level. In their must-listen, actionable book, James and Wooten provide tools and frameworks for addressing and learning from crises, and they provide insight into what you need to know to become a Prepared Leader, including: the five phases of crisis management and the skills you need for each phase; making the right decisions under pressure and how to avoid common mistakes; and building a crisis leadership team and how to lead one that you’ve inherited. James and Wooten argue that-in addition to people, profit, and the planet-prepared leadership should be the fourth “P” in a company’s bottom line. They bring decades of world-renowned research on crisis leadership, diversity and inclusion, management strategy, and positive leadership to the table to help leaders better prepare themselves to lead through crises-and for whatever lies around the corner.” (Catalogue)  E-audiobook format only

Author Talks: Dismantling double standards in business with CNBC’s Julia Boorstin
Julia Boorstin, creator of CNBC’s Disruptor 50 franchise, shares the lessons she’s learned on adaptability and decision making from some of the world’s top female CEOs.

When women lead : what we achieve, why we succeed and what we can learn / Boorstin, Julia

“In her groundbreaking, deeply reported work, Julia Boorstin reveals the odds-defying leadership approaches of women running the world’s most innovative and successful companies – and what we can learn from them. Now, in When Women Lead, Boorstin brings together the stories of over sixty of those female CEOs and leaders, and dozens of new studies. Her combination of narrative and research reveals how once-underestimated characteristics, from vulnerability and gratitude to divergent thinking, can be vital superpowers – and that anyone can work these approaches to their advantage. Featuring new interviews with Gwyneth Paltrow, Jenn Hyman, Whitney Wolfe Herd, Lena Waithe, Shivani Siroya, and more, When Women Lead is a radical blueprint for the future of business, and our world at large. ‘Filled with top-notch research, practical insight and stories from the most inspiring women in business, Julia Boorstin lays out a new, inclusive vision for leadership and our world at large that we all will benefit from.’ – Arianna Huffington, Founder & CEO, Thrive ‘When Women Lead is replete with concrete insights that have personally helped me navigate our unprecedented times of change. Weaving together perspectives from tech, business, politics, the cultural sphere and beyond, Boorstin’s deep reporting and voracious inquiries serve not only as a tactical manual for individuals, but as a toolkit for building interdisciplinary connections.’ – Bettina Korek, CEO of the Serpentine Galleries, London” (Catalogue)

Author Talks: How to learn and lead calmly through volatile times
Three McKinsey veterans condense decades of boardroom experience and cognitive science into a guide for learning proactively and leading dynamically amid the most uncertain circumstances.

Deliberate calm : how to learn and lead in a volatile world / Brassey, Jacqueline
“A trio of McKinsey & Company veterans draws from a combination of psychology, neuroscience, and consciousness practices plus a combined 50-plus years of international board room experience to offer as approach to learning and leading with awareness and intentional choice, even amidst the most challenging circumstances”– Provided by publisher.” (Catalogue)

 

Author Talks: Turn your work enemies into allies
Whether you’re being interrupted in meetings or challenged at every turn, Amy Gallo shares tactics for getting value out of difficult work relationships.

Getting along: how to work with anyone (even difficult people) / Gallo, Amy
“Named one of “22 new books . . . that you should consider reading before the year is out” by Fortune: A research-based, practical guide for how to handle difficult people at work.” (Catalogue)

 

 

Author Talks: What poker pro Annie Duke can teach you about quitting on time
Ever been told to quit while you’re ahead, or that winners never quit? Poker player-turned decision strategist Annie Duke explains why this advice is costing you time and money.

Quit : the power of knowing when to walk away / Duke, Annie
“From the bestselling author of Thinking in Bets comes a toolkit for mastering the skill of quitting to achieve greater success Business leaders, with millions of dollars down the drain, struggle to abandon a new app or product that just isn’t working. Governments, caught in a hopeless conflict, believe that the next tactic will finally be the one that wins the war. And in our own lives, we persist in relationships or careers that no longer serve us. Why? According to Annie Duke, in the face of tough decisions, we’re terrible quitters. And that is significantly holding us back. In Quit, Duke teaches you how to get good at quitting. Drawing on stories from elite athletes like Mount Everest climbers, founders of leading companies like Stewart Butterfield, the CEO of Slack, and top entertainers like Dave Chappelle, Duke explains why quitting is integral to success, as well as strategies for determining when to hold em, and when to fold em, that will save you time, energy, and money. You’ll learn: How the paradox of quitting influences decision making: If you quit on time, you will feel you quit early What forces work against good quitting behavior, such as escalation commitment, desire for certainty, and status quo bias How to think in expected value in order to make better decisions, as well as other best practices, such as increasing flexibility in goal-setting, establishing “quitting contracts,” anticipating optionality, and conducting premortems and backcasts Whether you’re facing a make-or-break business decision or life-altering personal choice, mastering the skill of quitting will help you make the best next move”– Provided by publisher.” (Catalogue)

If you need more information please contact the Prosearch team at the library.  We can help you find information across a range of perspectives and resources. 
All enquiries are treated in confidence.

Time management

Linda

No matter how hard we try we can’t squeeze any more minutes or hours out of a day.

What we can do is introduce some good habits and practices to maximise how we use our time effectively and efficiently.

“Lack of direction, not lack of time, is the problem. We all have twenty-four hour days.”
Zig Ziglar 

In a recent Stuff article, How to create a time revolution, author Graham McGregor recommends the writings of Richard Koch.   Whether you call it simplifying or streamlining, Koch outlines how the 80/20 principle can work for you.

Feel you don’t have enough time to read that?  Try this article, 6 Habits That Help Successful People Maximize Their Time

“If I had six hours to chop down a tree, I would spend the first four hours sharpening the axe.”

Abraham Lincoln

If you do want a lengthier read we have plenty to choose from.  Here’s a list of suggestions, all available through the Wellington City Libraries collections.

The skinny on time management : how to maximize your 24-hour gift / Randel, Jim
“Time. We never seem to have enough of it. Time for all the stuff we need to do … and want to do! Everything seems to get in the way! Entrepreneur and award-winning author, Jim Randel, and The Skinny On team of writers, share their research and experiences in this comprehensive and humorous overview of the subject of time. The Skinny on Time Management is a thought-provoking analysis of the one resource we never have enough of. Presented with simple illustrations making this title a delight to read, the one hour it takes you to read The Skinny on Time Management will be the best investment you ever make! ” (Catalogue)

Boss it : control your time, your income and your life / Reader, Carl
“Do you dream of ditching the day job, doing your own thing and being your own boss? Are you ready to Boss It? In this invigorating and highly practical book, serial entrepreneur Carl Reader provides exactly the fire and guidance you need to get started. Designed to cut through the business jargon, this handy guide will take you through everything you need to establish and run your own business – from the mindset it takes to turn a dream into a plan, to the need-to-know practical stuff for running and growing a business. Featuring case studies, templates and exercises to help you put what you read into action, and turn that dream into a reality, this motivational book will enable you to be your own boss, to take control of your income, your time and your life… and Boss It”– Provided by publisher.” (Catalogue)

Change your life in an hour : don’t believe you can? you’re already doing it.. / Archer, Laura
“Are you stuck in a rut but don’t have the time, money or energy to get out? It’s simpler than you think. By encouraging you to make small, personal decisions, this book will help you stop scrolling through other people’s stories so that you can start focusing on your own. We have choice in every moment of our lives. We can choose to say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to an invitation, a job, a partner. We just have to practise cultivating that choice. Change Your Life in an Hour urges you to take back control of how you choose to spend your time – and subsequently your life. Laura Archer first realised the power of small choices when she started reclaiming her lunch breaks and using them to achieve personal goals. In this, her second book, she inspires you to target your mental, emotional, and physical health through simple but empowering actions that can fit around any lifestyle.” (Catalogue)

Time smart : how to reclaim your time & live a happier life / Whillans, Ashley V
“There’s an 80% chance you’re poor. Time poor, that is. Four out of five adults report feeling they are time-poor: They have too much to do and not enough time to do it. And the consequences are severe. The time-poor experience less joy each day. They laugh less. They are less healthy, less productive, and more likely to divorce. … How can we escape the time traps that make us feel this way and keep us from living our best lives? Time Smart is your playbook for taking back the time you lose to mindless tasks and unfulfilling chores. Author and Harvard Business School professor Ashley Whillans will give you proven strategies for improving your “time affluence.” Sometimes you can find time lost to thoughtless activity–like mindlessly checking your phone. Sometimes you can find time by buying your way out of time-consuming, unrewarding tasks–for instance, by paying for a ride to work. The techniques Whillans provides will free up seconds, minutes, and hours that, over the long term, become weeks of freed up time you can reinvest in positive, healthy activities. Time Smart doesn’t stop at telling you what to do. It also shows you how to do it, helping you achieve the mind-set shift that will make these activities part of your everyday regimen. At every step, Time Smart provides assessments, checklists, and activities you can use right away…”– Provided by publisher.” (Adapted from Catalogue) Ebook format

Time rich : do your best work, live your best life / Glaveski, Steve
“Business and creative professionals often dedicate long hours to their work, with limited rewards. This book can help you see where you might be sabotaging your own goals. Time Rich helps you identify where you’re losing personal time and mismanaging career time. You’ll discover practical productivity tools and techniques to get focused at work and achieve more in less time-so you can enjoy more time that’s really yours. This book explores how technology has affected our productivity and the way we work, helping you reconsider the nature of work. Technology designed to make us more productive can actually compromise our performance. Time Rich shows you how to avoid these pitfalls and offers steps for positive change. Regain your time!” (Catalogue)

Busy as f*ck / Nimmo, Karen
“We’re busy, busy, BUSY. But when did being busy become a badge of honour? When did it become our new normal, our measure of self-worth. If we want to squeeze the most from ourselves and our all-too-short lives, we need to be able to gauge when our busyness is drip-feed destroying our physical and emotional health, when we’re hurting people we love and becoming that person others want to hide from. Using simple and effective tools such as The Pizza of Life, New Zealand clinical psychologist Karen Nimmo takes aim at our busy as f*ckness in a fresh DIY approach to therapy. This book will help you self-diagnose your issues, cut through all the stress and striving and set up a plan to go after what truly matters in a busy as f*ck world”–Back cover.” (Catalogue) Also available in E-book format and Audiobook format

Anti-time management : reclaim your time and revolutionize your results with the power of time tipping / Norton, Richie
“Discover the answer to the age-old question of “work-life balance” and what to do about it.” — Book flap.” (Catalogue)

 

 

Time power : a proven system for getting more done in less time than you ever thought possible / Tracy, Brian
“One of the world’s premier business consultants and personal success experts, Brian Tracy has devoted more than 25 years to studying the most powerful time management practices used by the most successful people in every arena. Now, in Time Power, Brian reveals his comprehensive system designed to help you increase your productivity and income exponentially — in just weeks! Overflowing with quick and effective time-saving strategies, Brian Tracy’s Time Power lets you in on the secrets to being more productive, earning more money, and getting more satisfaction from life.” (Catalogue) E-Audiobook format

Four thousand weeks : time management for mortals / Burkeman, Oliver
“We are obsessed with our lengthening to-do lists, work-life balance, and the ceaseless battle against distraction. We are deluged with advice on becoming more productive, learn hacks to optimize our days. We rarely make the connection between our daily struggles and the ultimate time management problem: the challenge of how best to use the time we are given. Burkeman rejects the futile modern fixation on “getting everything done” and instead introduces readers to tools for constructing a meaningful life by embracing finitude. He shows how many of the unhelpful ways we have come to think about time are actually choices we have made– and that we could do things differently. — adapted from jacket” (Catalogue)

If you need more information please contact the Prosearch team at the library.  We can help you find information across a range of perspectives and resources.  All enquiries are treated in confidence.

Burnout

Linda

It’s getting to the time of year when, on top of an already stressful few years, demands and pressures increase.  A continued level of stress can lead to burnout.  Burnout, if not addressed, can lead to reduced workplace and personal productivity and long term health issues.

Back in July we featured a guest author post on the Stages of Burnout by Jess Stuart
In this post we build on Jess’s article and look at some of the other resources the Wellington City Libraries collections offer on recognising, addressing and recovering from burnout.  Different aspects can contribute to burnout – work stresses, lifestyle, individual personality traits or a combination of any of these.

In her recent article How to come back from burnout: 7 offbeat ways to recharge your life, clinical psychologist Karen Nimmo, lists burnout’s symptom’s as “… similar to mild to moderate depression. There’ll be sleep problems, low motivation/energy, persistent low mood, lethargy, irritability, exaggerated emotional responses, disinterest in favourite activities and people, a general heaviness”.  She then lists some small tweaks you can make to your life if you feel you are approaching or have reached burnout.  (Note the recommendation that you “Read a whole book“). 

The Mayo Clinic also provides a checklist of symptoms if you feel you may be suffering job related burnout and suggests some actions you can take to improve the situation.

Other websites with more information include The HelpGuide’s Burnout Prevention and Treatment, while Health Navigator NZ offers Tips to Avoid Work Stress and Burnout.
The Harvard Business review offers a more indepth article with Beating Burnout (available via Business Source Premier database on the library website).

As an employer however, is investing in resources for employee mental health the right answer to the question?  In a recent article McKinsey asked if you are solving the right problem?  Their research found that many employers focus on individual-level interventions that remediate symptoms, rather than resolve the causes of employee burnout.

 If you want to understand more about burnout, the causes, process and ways to deal with it, try these recent publications, all held in our collection.

Burnout to brilliance : redefining peak performance / Stuart, Jess
“Learn how to achieve peak performance without burning out in the process. We live in a constant state of overwhelm and exhaustion whilst simultaneously striving for high performance. It’s not sustainable and it’s why burnout has become so prevalent. That was before the global pandemic which exacerbates the level of change and uncertainty leaving peak performance even harder to achieve. Busyness is fashionable, we wear it like a badge of honour but it doesn’t lead to high performance. Quantity does not always mean quality and being busy does not mean we’re productive, in fact the opposite is often true. Understand the difference between busy and productive. Work smarter not harder and master the habits of high performance. Understand the neuroscience behind thinking patterns and how to access a flow state. Learn strategies to cultivate a more focused, clear mind. Be your best without burning out in the process. Overcome overwhelm, reenergise and build resilience. Improve productivity and effectiveness”–Back cover.” (Catalogue)

Beyond burnout : how to spot it, stop it and stamp it out : a New Zealand guide / McAlpine, Suzi
“Following her own first-hand experience, as well as the countless similar scenarios she’s seen in her role as an executive coach, Suzi McAlpine has created a book about burnout to help create environments and organisational cultures that reduce its occurrence…As well as actionable tools and key takeouts, each chapter/section will include information about how to recognise the signs of burnout, and practical how-tos for leaders to reduce its presence in organisations. She also explains how to treat and address burnout when it is present”–Publisher information.” (Catalogue)  Also available in ebook format

The burnout epidemic : the rise of chronic stress and how we can fix it / Moss, Jennifer
“Workplace well-being expert Jennifer Moss helps leaders and individuals prevent burnout and create healthier, happier, and more productive workplaces. We tend to think that burnout is a problem we can solve with more yoga, better breathing techniques, and more resilience. Moss lays bare the real causes of burnout, and shows that self-care is not a cure-all for burnout. She offers actionable advice that will empower readers to feel healthier and happier at work. — adapted from jacket” (Catalogue)

Burnout : a guide to identifying burnout and pathways to recovery / Parker, Gordon
“Are you always exhausted? Unable to feel for others or for life’s pleasures? Find it hard to concentrate and take in what you read? You may have burnout. Burnout is widespread among high achievers in the workplace, in business and in caring professions like health and teaching. Parents with new babies and those caring for the elderly and people with disabilities are also at risk. Although burnout is so common, it’s often undiagnosed or misdiagnosed – most commonly as depression. Drawing on groundbreaking new research, this book hands you the tools to work out whether you have burnout – or not. The good news? It is possible to recover from even severe burnout. The authors show you how to recognise your own burnout pattern, how far you have travelled into burnout territory, and provide a broad-based management approach to help you regain your spark and build your resilience. With fascinating new insights into the biology of burnout, and stories from people who have brought themselves back from the brink, Burnout is a complete guide for anyone who suspects they may have burnout, for their families, for health professionals and employers.” (Catalogue) (Ebook format)

The burnout challenge : managing people’s relationships with their jobs / Maslach, Christina
“Solutions to workplace burnout often involve victim-blaming: Stressed? Try therapy-or a new job. But burnout is a sign of defective workplaces, not workers. Drawing on decades of research, Christina Maslach and Michael Leiter show managers how to recognize burnout and fix problems cost-effectively, improving employees’ productivity and health”– Provided by publisher.” (Catalogue)

 

Change makers : a woman’s guide to stepping up without burning out at work / Murray, Katy
“We’ve come some way in the fight to get women into the workplace and delivering impactful valued work. But as the COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionally affected women’s progression, many of us are close to burnout and considering scaling back our work faced with other responsibilities. We cannot let that happen. Your work matters. It’s ok to want an impactful career and to demand it do more than bring home a pay check every month. But can you re-awaken your change making power with the spectre of burnout looming? In ‘Change Makers,‘ expert women’s leadership coach Katy Murray devises an actionable plan for you to create the space to grow as a change maker and change the world for the better. This book shares the powerful habits, that allow you to step into a more expansive version of yourself at work. These habits are small but mighty. They reshape your brain, shift your behaviors, and create ease-filled change in your leadership, activism, work, and life. As you integrate these strategies into your every-day, you will eliminate burnout. You will find clarity in your purpose again. You will feel more joy, more energy, more momentum. You will expand your relationships eco-system, and see fresh ways to navigate and even disrupt the systems you find yourself in. You will have a bigger impact in your work and you will co-create a more equitable world. ‘Change Makers‘ leads you through a personalized journey of self-discovery, with practical templates, inspirational real-life examples of change-making women, exercises, and coaching prompts that make a difference. Join the collective of women finding a powerful new way to lead. It’s time to step up”– Provided by publisher.” (Catalogue)

The end of burnout : why work drains us and how to build better lives / Malesic, Jonathan
“Burnout has become our go-to term for talking about the pressure and dissatisfaction we experience at work. But because we don’t really understand what burnout means, the discourse does little to help workers who are suffering from exhaustion and despair. Jonathan Malesic was one of those workers, and to escape he quit his job as a tenured professor. In The End of Burnout, he dives into the history and psychology of burnout, traces the origin of the high ideals we bring to our dismal jobs, and profiles the individuals and communities who are already resisting our cultural commitment to constant work. In The End of Burnout, Malesic traces his own history as someone who burned out of a tenured job to frame this rigorous investigation of how and why so many of us feel worn out, alienated, and useless in our work. Through research on the science, culture, and philosophy of burnout, Malesic explores the gap between our vocation and our jobs, between the ideals we have for work and the reality of what we have to do. He eschews the usual prevailing wisdom in confronting burnout (“Learn to say no!” “Practice mindfulness!”) to examine how our jobs have been constructed as a symbol of our value and our total identity. And beyond looking at what drives burnout–unfairness, a lack of autonomy, a breakdown of community, mismatches of values–this book highlights groups that are addressing these failures of ethics. We can look to communities of monks, employees of a Dallas nonprofit, intense hobbyists, and artists with disabilities to see the possibilities for resisting a “total work” environment and the paths to recognizing the dignity of workers and nonworkers alike. In this critical yet deeply humane book, Malesic offers the vocabulary we need to recognize burnout, overcome burnout culture, and find moral significance in our lives beyond work”– Provided by publisher” (Catalogue) Also available in e-book format

The Book of Boundaries : End Resentment, Burnout, and Anxiety– and Reclaim Your Time, Energy, Health, and Relationships / Urban, Melissa
“…Do your relationships often feel one-sided or unbalanced? Are you always giving in just so things will go smoothly? Do you wish you could learn to say no–but, like, nicely? Are you depleted, overwhelmed, and tired of putting everyone else’s needs ahead of your own? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you need to establish some boundaries… Melissa Urban has taught millions of people how to establish healthy habits and successfully navigate pushback and peer pressure… in The Book of Boundaries, she shows you how boundaries are the key to better mental health, increased energy, improved productivity, and more fulfilling relationships. In her famously direct and compassionate style, Urban offers:
* 130+ scripts with language you can use to instantly establish boundaries with bosses and co-workers, romantic partners, parents and in-laws, co-parents, friends, family, neighbors, strangers–and yourself
* actionable advice to help you communicate your needs with clarity and compassion
* tips for successfully navigating boundary guilt, pushback, pressure, and oversteps
* techniques to create healthy habits around food, drink, technology, and more User-friendly and approachable, The Book of Boundaries will give you the tools you need to stop justifying, minimizing, and apologizing, leading you to more rewarding relationships and a life that feels bigger, healthier, and freer.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

If you need more information please contact the Prosearch team at the library.  We can help you find information across a range of perspectives and resources.  All enquiries are treated in confidence.

What is culture … really? by guest author Shane Michael Hatton

Linda

This blog post has been reproduced with the permission of author Shane Michael Hatton.
Learn more about Shane’s work at the end of this post.

Have you heard the story of the three goldfish?

It was originally told in a commencement speech delivered by David Foster Wallace in 2005 at Kenyon College, later published as an essay titled ‘This Is Water’. It quickly became one of his most read pieces of work.

The story goes:

‘There are these two young fish swimming along, and they happen to meet an older fish swimming the other way, who nods at them and says, “Morning, boys. How’s the water?” And the two young fish swim on for a bit, and then eventually one of them looks over at the other and goes, “What the hell is water?”’

Culture is a hot topic. You’ve probably heard quotes like “culture eats strategy for breakfast” and “culture is your competitive advantage”.

You might have even used phrases like:

• I love/hate the culture here.
• That person doesn’t really get our culture.
• They are a good/bad culture fit.
• We need to work on our culture.
• The culture isn’t what it used to be.

But what is culture…really?

Making sense of culture can feel like a goldfish trying to make sense of water. We spend our lives immersed in it we can remain mostly unaware of its presence or impact.

Last year in my research project with McCrindle we asked 1,002 Australian managers if they could define culture. Ninety-seven per cent told us they could.

Of course, our next question was ‘how do you define it?’

People struggled. It wasn’t that the answers they gave were necessarily wrong, rather, they struggled to give a consistent answer.

One in ten respondents described culture as:

‘Organisational culture is the collection of values, expectations, and practices that guide and inform the actions of all team members.’

It was interesting that they could all articulate it this way. As it turns out if you google ‘define organisational and team culture’ this is the first answer you’ll get.

For many, rather than defining what culture is, they described the evidence of what they believed to be healthy culture using words such as ‘positive’, ‘inclusive’ and ‘valuing of individuals’.

It led me to this conclusion:

‘Culture is easy to describe but hard to define’.

If you want to start a heated debate, ask people to define culture. What makes defining culture so challenging is that right now a universal understanding of culture just doesn’t exist. However, our biggest threat is that we can spend more time trying to define culture than we do applying it.

I would suggest that ‘what is the right definition of culture?’ is the wrong question. And the more helpful question is, ‘What do I need to know to act on culture?’

In this short series, we’re going to look at four key elements to help us better understand what culture is so we can know what we can do about it.

Here’s question to reflect on:
“What elements do I believe contribute to our organisational or team culture?”

Want to know more?  You can read Shane’s series of articles on culture here  

Reserve Shane’s latest book, Let’s talk culture via the library record below:

Let’s Talk Culture: The conversations you need to create the team you want / Hatton, Shane Michael
“Packed with research-based insights from Australia s leading workplaces, Let s Talk Culture is the how-to guide for people leaders who want to shape a world-class team culture by design.Successful leaders and organisations know that culture is the unseen advantage of world-class teams.” (Catalogue)

 

Wellington City Libraries also holds Shane’s earlier work :

Lead the room : communicate a message that counts in moments that matter / Hatton, Shane Michael
“Not just a book about presentation skills (though if it helps you nail your next presentation that’s great), my aim with Lead the Room is that it equips you to leverage your platform to lead and mobilise your team and help you become a more effective leader.” Shane M. Hatton.
In the moments that matter, leadership matters. Our world is more globally connected than ever before, with easier access to information than at any point in history, yet in the important moments people aren’t just looking for something that can inform them, they are looking to someone who will lead them. The abundance of fascinating and practical information in Lead the Room is neatly presented in three parts, as the author talks you through what he calls his ‘three big obsessions’: (1) Positioning – Developing your character and your narrative, building your credibility and managing your reputation as a leader. (2) Messaging – Determining the value you offer, defining the message you want to convey and delivering your message with impact; and (3) Developing – Getting better at thinking, investing in yourself, asking for feedback and learning how to fail. Lead the Room is full of thought-provoking anecdotes and examples, that will inform and educate – and often make you smile. After reading this book the next time you stand up on your platform, whatever that may look like, you’ll see it as more than an opportunity to speak to the room; rather, you’ll see it as an opportunity to lead the room. Every moment matters. Use it as an opportunity to say something that truly counts.” (Catalogue)

Shane Michael Hatton is an author, trainer, coach and speaker based out of Melbourne, Australia and works online, onstage and in person.  “I’m a member of the Forbes Global Coaches Council, a Gallup Certified Strengths Coach and the author of ‘Lead The Room – Communicate a Message That Counts in Moments That Matter’”.

If you need more information please contact the Prosearch team at the library.  We can help you find information across a range of perspectives and resources.  All enquiries are treated in confidence.