A simple values exercise can help you to overcome self doubt
Lately I’ve been discussing the need for a fresh look at ‘imposter phenomenon’ and how helpful it is. An alternative explanation for it is identity threat, feelings of threat and anxiety that are evoked when your demographic identity is in the minority – for example,...
How our over-reliance on certainty erodes the important power of doubt
…..and why we need to increase our comfort with reasonable doubt and modesty. Our fascination with Imposter Phenomenon (IP) seems to be part of our preoccupation with confidence as a critical component of leadership. That’s what makes it doubly challenging for...
To stop the burnout epidemic you need to cancel unproductive meetings
Do you know how many of your leaders are getting up at 4am in order to ‘get their work done’ before the day’s meeting frenzy begins? It’s likely to be more than you think. Or perhaps not – perhaps you’re also trying this tactic to get on top of your meeting overload?...
What an amazing masterclass in leadership by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
And how much we wish he did not have to give it. This speech, and all his other actions that I have seen, have all shown such moral courage. They are all about the higher ground. This appeal to the Russian people is deeply moving; it prioritises our shared humanity...
Having a clear sense of purpose bolsters resilience and wellbeing
The debate continues about whether or not, at least in Australia, the Great Resignation is a ‘thing’. Or whether it’s a ‘great realignment’, ‘great reshuffle’, or ‘great retention……. I reckon that coming out of two years of crisis, challenge and change, the one great...
The Key to Power
In my latest CEO magazine article, I talk about getting a better balance and a healthier relationship with power. Read the full article here. Book a call with me to find out more about how my Leadership Coaching can help you understand what people value, and to use...
To retain good people help them to see their purpose in organisational activities
A common purpose is one of the key drivers of high engagement so if you’re going to focus on improving engagement this is one area where it’s going to really pay you back. Work engagement is: the willingness to devote energy to work, feeling a sense of...
How to discover a more valuable relationship with power
Using your power to get more of what you value might lead to personal gain, but it’s the road to a poor leadership reputation. I’ve been reflecting on power recently – well, I guess I’ve been reflecting on it since I first took on a leadership role...
Why are we still overloaded with meetings when we know they don’t work
Smart people endure boring meetings. Why? Meetings are pretty useful for collaborative work, but they are rife with problems. Despite this, we have too many, suffer through boring ones, and need therapy after excruciating ones. We get caught too often in a groundhog...
Employers do not fully appreciate why employees are leaving, but need to
This chart from McKinsey helps to explain a key driver contributing to The Great Resignation. Organisations are failing to get beneath the surface of what people actually want, or listen to them when they tell them, as I’ve heard is occurring in some organisations....
How to make it easier for everyone to say what they think
Psychological safety is the start of so much that is important in leading and working well together. It builds safety and connection, which in turn nourishes trust and motivation, and that contributes in turn to growth, initiative and autonomy. For some of us, the...
Knowing the difference between stress and burnout
Burnout can reduce people’s ambitions and sense of worth while decimating the will to work. In my October CEO Magazine article I investigate the fine line between healthy stress and burnout in today’s round-the-clock work culture. Read the full article...
The simple pleasures of a life in lockdown
Lynda Grattan says ‘There’s a ‘silver lining’ to the pandemic: the opportunity to make work lives more purposeful, productive, agile, and flexible.’ My silver lining, as we’ve lurched from one version of lockdown to the next here in Melbourne, has been my...
A 70% rule can help increase your tolerance for error when you delegate
A key reason for increasing how much you delegate is that often too many low risk decisions are made at senior levels and that means that you lose focus on strategy and oversight. Delegating helps to rebalance the amount of time devoted to low risk/importance vs high...
Can someone else do the work at least 70% as effectively as you
A key reason for increasing how much you delegate is that often too many low risk decisions are made at senior levels and that means that you lose focus on strategy and oversight. Many of the leadership challenges profiled in this book highlight this problem....
It may seem counter-intuitive, but it takes structure to be flexAble
What does it take to love your work? A strong focus on structure. Structure your work so that you do what you love. The Figure below highlights the sequence of organising, prioritising and digitising work. Organise your work to maximise your best skills and...
How to make sure you do what matters
In my June article, I outlined a number of ways in which to avoid work’s hidden burnout crisis. In my July CEO Magazine article I’m sharing six hacks to make it easier to achieve more, rather than less, and to feel the satisfaction of doing what matters most. Read the...
How organisations can take responsibility for the prevalence of burnout
Between being engaged, feeling vital, and feeling burnt-out, there’s a lot of stress and pain that may continue for some time. In their research, Michael Leiter and Christina Maslach found that one of the factors that commonly tipped workers into burnout was a sense...
Avoid work’s hidden burnout crisis
There’s no question that COVID-19 has increased the level of anxiety and burnout in our lives. UK research showed that levels of distress in the community doubled in 2020. The rate of mental distress in the Australian community was 2.5 times the rate prior to the...
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.
