Category Archives: Commentary

Rules and Follow-throughs

2 Replies

A couple of months ago, I won some tickets to see singer Kelly Clarkson in concert in Sydney.  I was really excited as I had wanted to see her but I had also promised my sister I would babysit my nephew while she has a “date night” with her hubby that weekend. When I mentioned this to my mother, she generously offered to come over and babysit him that night so that I could go out.

Knowing the dynamics between my mother, the doting grandmother-of-one, and my 7 yr-old nephew – the smartest kid EVER (no, do not accuse me of being biased because you would be wrong! *wink*), I was determined that my nephew would still follow my rules while I was out.  As much of a doting aunt as I am, I have never failed to discipline him when necessary whereas he always knew that he has his grandma wrapped around his little fingers.

Continue reading →

When Teamwork Works, The Team Works

Leave a reply

Ever been at a job interview where you get asked if you were a team player?  It’s a pretty typical question.  Now, how are you supposed to answer that?  Unless you are trying out for a solo round-the-world yachting record, you’re most likely expected to respond to the affirmative (although I would say even “soloists” of any kind would say it takes a team of people to get them to where they are).

In my experience I have seen many people claim they are team players but really they are the “free-riders” who hide behind others to do the hard work whilst they all claim the glory at the end of the day.  As usual, I sought out the Oxford Dictionary for a definition of Teamwork:

“the combined action of a group, especially when effective and efficient”.*

Continue reading →

The Facts of Life – Winning & Losing

Leave a reply

My 7 yr-old nephew began playing Junior AFL (Australian Football League) in the Under 9s team this year.  He had been playing Auskick for the previous 2 years and loved every moment of his Sunday training. He was very excited and we were all very proud.  My sister is their team manager despite never having been involved in anything of the sort before.

There is nothing more exhilarating than watching a bunch of kids running around a field, whatever the sport, learning some skills and discipline while having a great time.  At my nephew’s first ever training session, I watched his interaction with other kids he had never met before.  Ever the sociable character that he is, he was soon getting to know everyone’s names and soon having a kick with them.  When they played a mini game, there were times when he was so busy talking to the other kids standing at the goal square with him that he barely noticed when the ball was coming his way.

Continue reading →

Team Building and all that Ra-ra

Leave a reply

Corporate bonding sessions. Gotta love those. Also known as “Off-sites”; “Team building”; “Staff retreats”.  Whatever you want to call these gatherings, most people hate them and rarely do they deliver to their purpose.

Continue reading →

Are You a Hoarder Too?

Leave a reply

hoard

http://oxforddictionaries.com/view/entry/m_en_gb0380900#m_en_gb0380900

noun

  • a stock or store of money or valued objects, typically one that is secret or carefully guarded
  • an ancient store of coins or other valuable artifacts
  • an amassed store of useful information, retained for future use

Continue reading →