I recently presented a seminar to the Institute of Company Secretaries, the members of which, are made up of accountants, lawyers and other professional people who manage staff. Of special interest were my insights into the issue of productivity, happiness and leadership.
Key points from an interview I gave to the The Dominion Post Feb 6, 2008

1. Management, or lack of it, may be driving down New Zealand’s productivity
2 .Surveys consistently show at least 43% of people are unhappy at work. The Worklife Solutions survey showed that 69% of people couldn’t find any point in what they do (lack of purpose, meaning – no clear direction)
3. Aging workforce – mature workers looking for more from work than just a paycheck – many employers still using old Taylorist Scientific Management pay packet theory of motivation “we pay them don’t we”
4.Senior people often not highly motivated to coaching and mentor staff “rated somewhere down the list like cleaning the dunny” Senior people often promoted into roles because of technical skills – softer people skills, communication skills and EQ lacking

Labels: Book Launch, Productivity