Why consistent kindness makes you a good leader
According to Boris Groysberg and Susan Seligson, the manager’s toolkit needs to expand in ways not seen before. The most effective strategy for leaders might also be the most innately human: be kind. ‘Kindness is an investment that never fails’....
If Scotty really was from Marketing, he would be fired by now
Recent events have shown exclusionary, toxic cultures go right to the very top. Women have become braver in speaking out, raising their voices with emotional intensity, demanding change. But Scott Morrison still doesn’t seem to get it, it is as if he couldn’t relate...
You can ignore the principle of focus but it won’t ignore you
Work momentum is starting to reach a new normal as we recover, or at least get used to the impact of COVID. As things return to normal, and some return to the office occurs, how do you avoid getting caught up in the fray of busywork and relentless meetings. Make sure...
Why we should stop expecting leaders to be exciting
I was staggered recently to see a news article entitled ‘Joe Biden isn’t exciting’. I read past this headline to discover the article claimed it was a good thing he wasn’t. When we promote extremes – exciting versus not exciting – we fixate on the binary, and...
A clear purpose is the path to a flexible life
As this year gets underway, we probably all have one thing in mind – we hope it will be easier than 2020 was! This post focuses on a few key tips for making this year a successful one for you. Aligning with purpose, managing stress, and keeping a sense of hope are a...
Are you a free spirit, an achiever or a care giver?
Given the uncertainty and change that’s been in our environment for a while, how well aligned are you with your core values and purpose? Are you keeping them in mind as you go about your routine, or do you find yourself getting caught up in the uncertainty and hype...We are not invincible after all
Helen Reddy’s inspiring feminist anthem ‘I am woman’ was a clarion call to many women; she was a role model of strength and courage. It is however insupportable that we should think that feeling invincible is enough. There’s no shortage of...
I’m a high potential; when do I get that promotion?
For Brody, being confirmed for another year as a high performance, high potential leader had been satisfying. Yet what did it really mean? Brody is such an optimistic and self-initiating person that when she found it difficult to get a promotion she wanted to...
How to successfully avoid the traps of gender bias
When the revelations of #metoo caused a storm in Hollywood, and raised the lid on the mind-numbing extent of sexual harassment women experience at work, I caught myself thinking how lucky I was. At no time during my career had I been forced to have sex in return for...5 things to do to close the gender wage gap
Delighted to be interviewed for Thrive Global and Authority Magazine by Candice Georgiadis as part of her series “the five things we need to do to close the gender wage gap. I particularly enjoyed being asked about the lessons I’ve learned trying to help shift...
What’s the best way to influence remotely?
Influencing remotely is something that we’re all getting better at. In one of my coaching session this week we discussed the challenges of managing underperformance remotely. It takes a disproportionate amount of time full stop, and is more challenging at a...4 ways organisations can increase gender inclusion and disrupt biases
Talk about gender-balanced, inclusive cultures is now more prevalent. But talk is cheap. To increase gender-inclusion we need to change the masculinity of work cultures, and to do that we need to disrupt biases and change the way we lead. Organisational culture is an...
What if you see fairness differently to me?
What do you do when you realise that you are behaving in a way that is the opposite to the values you hold? When you believe you are fair, but others don’t? Just how can you increase your leadership reputation for fairness? Firstly, all power to you for noticing....
If we want flexibility to be sustainable, we’ve got some thinking to do
#WFH and flexibility aren’t the same thing, although they are closely related. Thrown into #WFH we’re learning a lot about how it’s not a death nell for productivity. But also that it’s not a guarantee of flexibility either. With many others,...
Work remote but don’t BE remote
If only we’d been better at practicing for this…… now we dive into remote work without the floaties! One of the challenges of remote working is that we are sitting in front of a screen – so much like a TV. The brain says this is an inanimate...
Each for Equal means challenging stereotypes and bias – call it out!
This year’s International Women’s Day theme ‘Each for Equal’ encourages us to challenge stereotypes and bias, as well as to celebrate women’s achievements. Great sentiment: yet it’s hard to put it into practice, as 109 years’ of International Women’s Days hints at....
What it takes to be a great collaborator
Mike felt the tingle of revelation. Then the opposing thud of self-recrimination. ‘But I already knew that’, he said. ‘I can’t believe I’m just now figuring it out.’ That sure sounds like an insight! Mike wanted to shift the quality of a couple of relationships he had...
How to motivate leaders to make lasting change
Coaching is widespread, and has become a part of the mainstream development offer of many organisations. With coaching, a leader doesn’t have to journey through the process of change alone. At the same time, they are able to voice their strongest desires for...
How to be an inclusionist
What is an inclusionist? My summer holiday project is revising my Beat Gender Bias book draft, ready for publication in the early part of 2020. I’m looking forward to making the book as helpful as possible – which means it makes it easier to beat bias and to be...
Welcome!
My name is Dr Karen Morley and I am passionate about accelerating leadership careers and inspiring inclusion in the workplace.
Using the latest evidence, validated benchmarks and inspiring coaching methods, I work closely with executives and organisations in Australia to optimise their leadership skills and accelerate their growth.
The most effective leaders use everyone’s talents to the full, and my programs promote inclusive leadership strategies and practices. I also engage gender balanced leadership and help women to succeed in senior organisational roles.
