ARTICLES
ONLY 50% OF SA WORKFORCE BELIEVES THEIR WORKSPACE IS PSYCHOLOGICALLY SAFE
Research conducted by organisational culture experts The Human Edge suggests that only half of the South African working population sees their work environment as psychologically safe, with only 24% of those people surveyed willing to recommend their current employer...
PREPARING FOR A TOUGH CONVERSATION IS VITAL
Tough conversations, we have all had to have them and unfortunately most times they don’t go as we wished or planned. So, what should we do before having these conversations to ensure the best outcome for all parties? Helene Vermaak, Business Director at corporate...
GOODBYE PERFORMANCE REVIEWS, HELLO LEADERSHIP CONVERSATIONS
The way we’re working is changing. Recent research undertaken by The Human Edge, has found employees prefer continuous engagement with their managers, as opposed to once or twice a year engagement in performance reviews. “It’s time we seriously think about eradicating...
HOW TO TAME YOUR TEMPER
We have all lost our temper at some point, we are after all human. But when it becomes embarrassing to those around you and even to yourself, if you are honest, that is when you require the skills to tame your temper, cautions Helene Vermaak, Business Director at The...
HOW TO ARGUE CIVILLY
In today’s society we are surrounded by people from different nationalities, upbringings, values, religions, political affiliations and personal preferences. Helene Vermaak, Director at The Human Edge, says that if we are honest with ourselves our ideas and opinions...
YOU DON’T NEED TO BE BRUTAL TO BE HONEST
We have all heard someone say “I just tell it like it is”, “I say it how I see it” or “I call a spade, a spade” and for some reason because they believe they are being honest this should excuse their hurtful, mean or just plain brutal behaviour. Helene Vermaak,...
4 STEPS TO MAKING CRUCIAL CONVERSATIONS PART OF YOUR ORGANISATION’S CULTURE
When developing or revising your organisational culture an important component is to give all employees the authority to speak-up and hold others accountable. These vital business behaviours can be learnt and become an organisational norm, says Helene Vermaak,...
5 TIPS TO HELP WHEN OFFICE EMERGENCIES THREATEN TO DERAIL YOUR DAY
We have all started our day with the best laid plans, only to walk into the office and these to be derailed by a client email or a colleague bursting into our office with an “emergency”. Helene Vermaak, Business Director at corporate culture specialists,...
HELPING A SPOUSE THROUGH RETRENCHMENT
With the corporate environment in a constant turbulent state, downsizing and retrenchment has become somewhat the norm. Helene Vermaak, Business Director at corporate culture experts The Human Edge says that equipping an individual’s spouse with tools to cope with...
HOW TO DEAL WITH TOXIC GOSSIP IN THE WORKPLACE
We have all found ourselves in a conversation where our boss or a colleague is being talked about behind their back. Sometimes these conversations are done in jest and with a little banter, but more often than not a line from ‘play to poison’ is crossed. Helene...
