Recently the National Operations Manager gave us some insight into what he saw that the role as Area Manager for the Census really entailed: Recruiter Relationship manager Health & Safety officer Engagement specialist Sales and marketing rep Logistics specialist Chief financial officer Site manager Social justice warrior Counsellor Inspirational speaker Problem solver Cat herder LookingContinue reading “No wonder it was fun”
Category Archives: Thoughts
I’m back…
My current journey with Census is coming to a close – and what a ride it’s been. Living and breathing absolutely nothing apart from work for three solid months during the field period. Working with an awesome team, people who really to care about their communities. Travelling around the mighty Maniapoto – country folk andContinue reading “I’m back…”
Don’t call the experts!
Experts are great at developing steady, progressive changes. By building on today, they can massage tomorrow. I would argue however, if we want transformational change, the experts should be the last people we send in. The dictionary describes an expert as “a person who is very knowledgeable about or skilful in a particular area”. AtContinue reading “Don’t call the experts!”
A new inductee to induction…
Over halfway through a six-week training/induction programme with Stats NZ. I’ve never had such an educational and long lead in time when starting a new job and it’s very different. Technically this is probably the perfect way to start a new job and certainly the research shows that a proper onboarding programme can make theContinue reading “A new inductee to induction…”
Will anyone actually die?
I just came across another fabulous quote from Peter Drucker. “There is nothing so useless as doing efficiently that which should not be done at all.” Sometimes instead of asking how we can do something better, maybe we should be asking ourselves what would happen if we didn’t do it at all. We should beContinue reading “Will anyone actually die?”
It means the world…
Quite simply, having the right people beside you means the world. If you want to change the world, find those people who will not only advise you, but also provide motivation and mental nourishment. The right people (and coffee) can play a huge part toward your success.
Solutions? – yes please…
Five tips for better solutions… In need of some solutions? Trust yourself to have the answers.
Sorry but I won’t work with you
We all talk about values in our organisation, but how often do we use them to turn work away? I was writing up a business plan for a start-up and following conventional advice, I was defining who the target audience was. I was nailing down a good description when it hit me. For an authenticallyContinue reading “Sorry but I won’t work with you”
Maybe we need a physicist to solve our social issues…
“If you have one hour to save the world, how would you spend that hour?” He replied, “I would spend 55 minutes defining the problem and then five minutes solving it.” This quote has been attributed to Einstein and, assuming it was him who said it, he makes a very valid point – one we should beContinue reading “Maybe we need a physicist to solve our social issues…”
Why “The Optimistic Cynic” ?
Optimistic by nature, cynical by experience. People often ask me why I use the name “The Optimistic Cynic”. The simple answer is ‘the name picked me’ but here is what it really means for me: I’m a passionate believer that people basically want to do good. It’s not always easy but with the right support,Continue reading “Why “The Optimistic Cynic” ?”
The Optimistic Cynic 