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Why Company Culture is Key to Retaining Top Talent

In today’s competitive job market, finding top talent is only half the battle—keeping them is where the real challenge lies. While salary and benefits play a role, company culture is often the deciding factor in whether employees stay long-term or start looking for opportunities elsewhere.

So, why is company culture so important for employee retention, and how can businesses build an environment that keeps their best people engaged and motivated?

1. Employees Want More Than Just a Salary

Job seekers today—especially Millennials and Gen Z—value workplace culture just as much as salary. They want to work in an environment that aligns with their values, fosters collaboration, and promotes growth. A toxic or disengaged workplace will quickly drive them to seek other opportunities.

2. A Strong Culture Creates a Sense of Belonging

People thrive when they feel connected to their workplace. A company culture that encourages teamwork, open communication, and recognition, helps employees feel valued and included. This sense of belonging boosts morale and reduces turnover. If you’re looking to build a stronger team, explore our business support services.

3. Culture Impacts Employee Engagement

Engaged employees are productive employees. A positive workplace culture encourages enthusiasm, innovation, and a willingness to go the extra mile. On the other hand, a disengaged workforce can lead to low productivity and increased absenteeism. Find out how we can help you attract and retain top talent.

4. It Influences Work-Life Balance

A culture that respects work-life balance will naturally retain employees longer. Companies that offer flexible working arrangements, mental health support, and a positive work environment are more likely to keep their talent happy and committed.

5. Happy Employees Attract More Talent

Your company culture directly impacts your reputation as an employer. When employees enjoy their work environment, they become brand ambassadors, helping to attract other high-quality candidates through word of mouth and positive online reviews. If you’re looking to hire, we can connect you with the right talent—learn more here.

6. How to Build a Strong Company Culture

Retaining top talent isn’t just about offering a competitive salary—it’s about creating an environment where people feel supported, valued, and inspired to do their best work. A strong company culture not only helps you keep your best employees but also turns them into advocates for your business, making it easier to attract even more top-tier talent in the future.

Looking for talent that fits your company culture? Get in touch with our recruitment specialists today!

How to Identify a Company’s Culture at Interview

When job hunting, it’s easy to focus on salary, benefits, and job responsibilities – but company culture is just as important. A great work environment can boost job satisfaction, career growth, and work-life balance, while a toxic culture can leave you feeling drained and looking for another job sooner than you’d like.

So, how can you assess a company’s culture before you accept a job offer? The interview process is your best opportunity to find out. Here’s what to look for and the questions to ask.

1. Observe the Atmosphere

From the moment you walk in (or join a virtual interview), take note of the environment.

First impressions matter, and the way employees interact with each other can give you a strong indication of the company’s culture. Looking for a workplace where you’ll feel comfortable? Browse our latest job opportunities.

2. Pay Attention to the Interviewer’s Tone and Approach

How you’re treated in the interview can reflect how the company treats its employees. Are the interviewers engaged, respectful, and enthusiastic about their work? Or do they seem rushed, uninterested, or overly formal?

If an interviewer struggles to describe what makes the company a great place to work, it could be a red flag. Need help preparing for interviews? Check out our career advice.

3. Ask About Values and Work Environment

Don’t be afraid to ask direct questions about company culture. Here are a few to consider:

A strong company culture isn’t just about words – it’s backed up by actions. Pay attention to how confidently and specifically the interviewer answers these questions. Looking for a company that values its employees? We connect candidates with great employers.

4. Research Employee Reviews and Social Media

Glassdoor, LinkedIn, and the company’s own social media pages can provide valuable insight. Look at employee reviews for patterns – do people mention positive leadership, career growth, and a supportive environment? Or are there repeated complaints about management, long hours, and high turnover?

While every company will have some negative reviews, consistent themes (good or bad) can reveal a lot. Want insights into employer reputations? Speak to our recruitment specialists.

5. Consider Work-Life Balance and Flexibility

If work-life balance is important to you, ask about:

A company that prioritises a healthy balance between work and personal life is more likely to have a positive and supportive culture. Interested in roles with flexibility? Check out our job listings.

6. Trust Your Instincts

Sometimes, the best indicator is your gut feeling. Did the interview leave you feeling excited and confident about the role, or hesitant and unsure? If something doesn’t sit right, don’t ignore it—explore further before making a decision.

Finding the right job isn’t just about responsibilities and salary – it’s about working in a culture where you can thrive. By asking the right questions, doing your research, and paying attention to subtle cues in the interview process, you can make an informed decision and choose a company that aligns with your values and career goals.

Looking for opportunities with companies that prioritise great culture? Get in touch with our recruitment team today!

The Importance of Being Authentic in our Personal and Professional Lives

In a world where we often seek approval from others, being authentic is key to thriving both personally and at work. Authenticity means staying true to who we are—our values, beliefs, and personality. This genuine approach brings many benefits, helping us build better relationships, find job satisfaction, and feel happier overall. Here’s why being authentic is so important to us here at First Base:

Authenticity at Work

  1. Building Trust: Being authentic at work helps build trust. When colleagues see you as genuine, they are more likely to trust and respect you. This trust is essential for teamwork and collaboration. When you recognise you don’t have to pretend to be someone you’re not, it’s so powerful.
  2. Greater Job Satisfaction: Aligning your job with your core values and passions leads to higher job satisfaction. When you are true to yourself at work, you feel more engaged and fulfilled, which boosts productivity and job performance.
  3. Better Resilience (another of our core values): Authentic people are more resilient because their self-worth comes from within, not from others’ approval. This inner strength helps them handle work challenges better, seeing setbacks as opportunities to grow.
  4. Encouraging Creativity: Authenticity allows for the free expression of ideas. When you are not afraid to share your true thoughts, creativity thrives. This openness at work leads to innovative ideas and solutions.

Authenticity in Personal Life

  1. Genuine Relationships: Authenticity is key to forming deep, meaningful relationships. By being yourself, you attract people who appreciate you for who you are, leading to more genuine and fulfilling connections with friends, family, and partners.
  2. Personal Growth: Embracing authenticity is a journey of self-discovery. Recognising and accepting your strengths and weaknesses promotes self-awareness and personal growth, which is essential for mental and emotional well-being.
  3. Living with Purpose: When your actions match your values and passions, you live a more purposeful life.
  4. Emotional Freedom: Authenticity frees you from the pressure of pretending to be someone you’re not. This emotional freedom allows you to express your true thoughts and feelings without fear of judgment, leading to a calmer existence.

Connecting Personal and Professional Authenticity

The benefits of being authentic in your personal life naturally carry over to your professional life, creating a consistent and genuine approach in all areas. When you are true to yourself in your personal life, you bring that same authenticity to work, ensuring a balanced and integrated life.

Conclusion

Being authentic is more than just a nice quality – it’s a powerful state that can improve both your personal and professional life. By being true to yourself, you build trust, form deeper relationships, and achieve greater fulfilment.

Unlocking Success: The Power of “Togetherness” at First Base 🚀

Are you curious about the key ingredients that make our team truly successful? 🤔 Look no further, because today, we’re diving deep into the art of teamwork and collaboration. 🤝

In the fast-paced world of recruitment, success isn’t just about individual talent; it’s about harnessing the collective power of our team. Here are some insights into what helps us to thrive :

1 Shared Goals and Vision: We share a common vision and set clear, achievable goals. When everyone is aligned and understands their role in the bigger picture, the magic truly happens

2 Effective Communication: Communication is the lifeblood of our team. Transparent, open, and honest communication helps in avoiding misunderstandings, fostering trust, and ensuring everyone is on the same page

3 Collaborative Mindset: Our team members actively support each other through mutual respect and trust. When one wins, the team wins

4 Celebrating Wins and Learning from Losses: We recognise and celebrate achievements, no matter how small. And when things don’t go as planned, we view them as learning opportunities rather than failures

5 Flexibility and Adaptability: The recruitment landscape can be unpredictable as we’re dealing with human beings. We pivot and adapt to changing circumstances swiftly

6 Empowerment: Our team are given autonomy to make decisions and take ownership of their work. Empowered team members are more motivated and creative problem solvers

7 Safeguarding: We do not tolerate poor behaviour. We take action as soon as we become aware of toxicity in the business and protect our team ferociously.

8 Diversity and Inclusion: A diverse team brings a wide range of perspectives and experiences to the table. Embracing diversity, leads to innovative solutions and better customer relationships

To us, team doesn’t mean just working side by side, knowing that our peers have our back. It means working collaboratively towards a shared goal, leveraging each team member’s strengths, and supporting each other through the ups and downs

Together, we can achieve remarkable results that surpass what any one of us could accomplish alone. We harness the power of teamwork and unlock the true potential of our sales team! 💪💼📈

#Success #Teamwork #Collaboration #Teamwork

 

How does your sales team embrace teamwork and collaboration? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below! 👇

Communication & Well-Being for Furloughed staff

This time last year I certainly did not envisage 2020 playing out the way it did for thousands of companies and for many, the full extent of the pandemic came as a complete (and prolonged) shock. Our first concern was, of course, the spread of the virus and looking after our people’s health. For many of us, this has now settled down as we know our teams are safe, staying inside and are successfully adapting to remote working life. Now that we are in 2021, our understanding of the virus has somewhat changed and the vaccine provides hope that we will return to some form of normality.

Most organisations we have spoken have had to make decisions over the last year which they could not have foreseen. Many have utilised this time to review their forecasts, look at streamlining where possible and putting plans in place to grow, as we begin to return to some form of normality.

Over the next couple of weeks, I will be posting some helpful tips to continue to help you through this challenging time.

 

Communication & Well-Being for Furloughed staff

To help business through the pandemic the Government created the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme which allows employers to Furlough their staff in return for 80% of peoples wages*, up to a maximum of £2,500 and was further extended until the end of April 2021.

If you currently have staff on Furlough, one of the best ways to retain your employees is to continue to communicate and check in on them from a well bring perspective. Check-in and remind them that you are available for support and advice if they ever require it. You could provide them with well-being tips such as healthy eating, exercising regularly and the importance of keeping in touch with friends and family. You could also direct employees to external sources of support such as Charity Mind, the Mental Health UK Website Headspace and Future Learn. 

We also have some great blogs on our website that may help around identifying and managing stress.

 

Communicating with your staff during Furlough will help you identify any issues that they may be facing and help them through this difficult time. A good communication strategy will also minimise the risk of losing members of your team due to any perceived lack of engagement.  Surprisingly, we have continued to see a high degree of movement in the market as people continue to look for alternative employment.

David Thomason, Hospitality Business Manager

 

*Now excluding NI and AE contributions.

6 Ways to Stay Motivated During Your Job Search

Staying motivated in a frustrating job hunt can be extremely difficult for anyone. How is it though, when faced with a challenge or adversity, that some people seem to get stuck and unable to move on, whilst others seem to bounce back from difficult events much more quickly than others?

Psychologists have long studied the ability to ‘bounce back’ even when the odds seem stacked against us and have come up with a label you may be familiar with: resilience.

Resilience is about knowing how to cope in spite of setbacks, barriers or limited resources. Resilience is a measure of how much you want something and how much you are willing and able, to overcome obstacles to get it. We are all equipped to be resilient, but it is a personal skill that needs to be worked on and developed.

So, what can you do to stay motivated while searching for job?

Develop resilience

There is a tendency to view a job search solely as a means to an end.  Conduct a job search, go through an application process and get a job.  Landing a job is of course the primary purpose of a job search, but there are a host of benefits that we can gain from facing the challenges of difficult times. 

Immersing yourself fully in a job search allows you to develop a range of skills that have the potential to expose you to opportunities you never imagined.  Resilience is a skill that comes in handy during a job search as you are pretty much guaranteed to face multiple setbacks. It is also a skill in high demand by employers.

Luckily, the job search process itself can help you develop resilience. Success in a job search, and in day to day life, comes from our ability to pick ourselves up and move quickly past disappointments. This may sound daunting, but there are some simple strategies that you can implement to build on your resilience levels.

Be proactive in your job search

Re-energise

Looking for work can be emotionally and physically draining. Find something you enjoy doing and make time every day to do it. Don’t become a ‘couch potato’ or allow you routine to be built around day time TV.  Eat well and exercise. Allow your brain some time to switch off,  revive itself and get back to the task with more energy.

Watch your language

Our brains are hard-wired to think the worst and to notice the bad.  It’s why bad news sells newspapers. Resilient people recognise that the words they use can have a huge impact on their mood, their job hunting productivity and their ability to make the best impression.

It’s too easy to tell yourself that there are no jobs or that ‘I’m not going to get the job” when you make an application or get an interview. The problem is that the words we use are followed by actions, or in the case of negative words, inaction. “I can’t” leads to not trying and becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Changing the words we use can have an immediate and positive effect.  Just a simple “I can do this” will have an impact on your actions and performance.

Learn to handle rejection

A job search in normal times can mean you will receive more rejections than offers. Be realistic. If you send out 100 speculative CVs you are likely to receive a very high level of rejection and rejection on that scale can feel demoralising.

Try to apply for roles where you feel you would be a good match with your skills and experience and that you would actually accept if offered.

Remember that job offers are sometimes made on the smallest of details.  Failing to get a second interview or a job offered is never a personal attack or a suggestion that you have some fatal flaw.  You just didn’t win this time, so dust yourself off and look for the next opportunity.

Ask for feedback

Resilient people are always learning.  They want to do better next time so actively seek feedback from interviewers and their recruitment consultants. Rebounding from setbacks isn’t easy even for the most positive of people. Fortunately, resilience is a skill that can be developed and strengthened over time.

Although job searching can seem tough, you can take comfort in the fact that at the end of it, you will not only end up with a job, but you will have developed life skills and skill set that employers value.  Overcoming setbacks gives you the confidence needed to pursue alternate avenues, and to open those doors that were temporarily closed to you. We all have something to offer that someone else wants.

The team here at First Base is always here to help. If you want advice or support to help you find the job you are looking or just someone to talk to about finding work, please contact us on 01453 755 330 via enquiries@first-base.co.uk or via our chat function at www.first-base.co.uk.

Mental Health and Wellbeing Advice for staying at home

As a nation we are famous for a ‘stiff upper lip’, stoic attitude to dealing with a crisis.  Whilst a ‘don’t panic’ approach has its benefits – at times like this it is a strength, not a weakness to seek and ask for support when we need it.

Even for the most robust and resilient of us, extraordinary times like now can make us anxious, cause us to worry more and be unsure of what to do.  We have challenges none of us expected to be facing right now. Infectious disease outbreaks like Covid-19 can be scary and can affect our mental health.  Social media and 24 hr news can over load us with information, working out the ‘fake news’ and criminal scams can make us more anxious not less.

Start by confining your news sources to trusted and reputable providers.  News sources with no axe to grind and that genuinely want to inform and help – Government, NHS and Local Authority sites are usually up to date and accurate.  The First Base blog, Newsletters and benefits portal (if you have access) are a good place to include in your search for useful information.

Be practical, be proactive

Despite the challenges, there are a lot of practical things we can do.  Being proactive and ‘doing’ is a powerful mental health and wellbeing tool whatever our situation.  Whether you end up on ‘furlough’, find yourself working at home, job seeking, in a new role or concerned about keeping your job; here are some tips to help you and your family through difficult times.

It helps if we can see the current situation as one of those time life sends us something different to deal with.  For most of us, it may be inconvenient but it won’t be a bad time and there are often new opportunities as a result of enforced change.

It means changing our usual way of life, maybe new ways of communicating.  Some of us are learning to use social media and video conferencing, some of us how to use the phone to actually speak to people!

Anxiety 

Anxiety is something we all experience from time to time. Most people can relate to feeling tense, uncertain and perhaps fearful at the thought of attending an interview, starting a new job, giving a presentation, sitting an exam or taking a driving test.

In turn, worrying can affect our sleep, appetite and ability to concentrate. If everything goes well, the anxiety will naturally go away.  This type of short-term anxiety can be useful. Feeling nervous before an interview or presentation can make us feel more alert and improve our performance.

However, if the feelings of anxiety overwhelm us, our ability to concentrate and do well may suffer.  If the anxiety stays at a high level for a long time, we may feel that it is difficult to deal with everyday life.  The anxiety may become severe; leaving us feeling powerless or out of control.  Sometimes, if the feelings overwhelm us, we may experience a panic attack.

A panic attack is an exaggeration of the body’s normal response to fear, stress or excitement. It is the rapid build-up of overwhelming sensations, such as a pounding heartbeat, feeling faint, sweating, nausea, rapid breathing and so on.   Panic attacks come on very quickly, symptoms usually peaking within 10 minutes, with most lasting between 5 and 20 minutes.   For some people they seem to come without warning and strike at random.

Managing anxiety

Reducing stress, keeping active, eating a well-balanced diet and getting the right amount of sleep really helps to get anxiety under control.  Stay in touch with family and friends on social media but don’t overdo the sharing of ‘bad’ news.  There’s still plenty of good news out there if you look for it. Hundreds of thousands of our friends and neighbours have already volunteered to help support the most vulnerable people affected by the virus, there are thousands of acts of random kindness occurring and thousands of new jobs are being announced almost daily.

Don’t make assumptions that ‘bad’ things will happen, positive outcomes for most are more likely in reality if we follow guidance, look after ourselves and look after our families.

Without face-to-face contact with our friends, family, and coworkers, many of us are checking our phones constantly, handling an influx of social media posts, texts, and news alerts.  If you’re feeling overwhelmed, perhaps it’s time to put your phone in another room, turn off automatic news alerts, and limit how much time you spend mindlessly checking and scrolling.

Sources of help

If you are feeling a bit more anxious than usual right now, that’s normal. If you already work with First Base (as a temp or full time) you have access to a range of professional and free support services through the Hive Portal.

The portal provides access to a vast range of free health, welfare and money savings benefits including:

• ‘My Personal Doctor’ for 24-hour access to an NHS approved GP, via telephone and Skype consultation, plus email prescriptions.
• My health’ for health, fitness and diet advice and resources, plus great savings on gym clubs.
• ‘My personal Helpline’ for 24/7 telephone access to professional counsellors to help with stress, debt, marriage and drug abuse issues.
• ‘My discount outlet’ offering great high street retail, dining and mobile contract saving
• ‘My Pay & Pension’ – delivers and stores encrypted and GDPR safe digital payslips and access to personal pension performance
• ‘My insurance’ for great discounts on insurance providers.

(If you are an employer and want to know more about how to provide your temporary staff with Hive benefits give us a call).

Other sources:

Well being
https://mentalhealth.org.uk/coronavirus
https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/psychological-impact-of-covid-19/1/steps/769464
Current advice from the NHS
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
Latest news from Public Health England (PHE)
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/public-health-england
Latest news from the Government
https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
Coronavirus Q&A from the World Health Organisation
https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/q-a-coronaviruses
Latest advice on social distancing/isolation from the Government
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people

The First Base team is here to support our temps, candidates and clients through these challenging times – and when we come out the other side.  Call us, email us Facebook or Tweet us!

 

‘WORKING’ at home

It’s a difficult time for sure.  Remote working (sometimes with kids at home) is a new experience and a new challenge for many.  Some of us have lived through national crises before and it will pass.  In the mean-time we need to ensure our businesses survive during the current emergency and thrive once it passes.

For many of us working remotely or managing remote teams isn’t new.  For millions of managers, freelancers and staff, remote working is the usual mode of working.  It may worth reflecting on the fact that hundreds of thousands of mums have coped over many decades.  Some have gone on to write best-selling novels and build multi £m brands with kids around their feet.

If it’s new to you, here are some tips being put to use right now by organisations determined to keep their teams working productively.

Communication and structure

Firstly, remember it’s WORKING at home.  Not a holiday, a jolly or part time.  The work might be the same or different from the usual day to day but whatever the work is, it should be approached with discipline and be effective.

For the usually self-motivated, effective team members (you know who they are) checking in daily (not checking up – it’s different) will be enough.  They will be as productive, if not more productive than when they are office based.  You can depend on them but don’t forget them. My son runs a remote team and they have a virtual coffee break together twice a week – thanks for the idea James!

Others will need structure.  The risk is that their effectiveness will fall off the cliff if you fail to keep them accountable for performance.

If remote working is new to you, think about:

Video conferencing and cooperation tools

Clear, consistent communication is key for remote work success.  This doesn’t mean you need to be talking to your colleagues all day long, but knowing that everyone has a common tool to brainstorm, ask questions and post notes is crucial.

Being present and seeing each other is an important part of keeping connected.  Don’t hide away or do other work during on line meetings.

Agreeing working hours

There is a risk that work will expand to fill the hours available and motivated members of the team end up overworking.  We need to keep up effectiveness and productivity over the long term so agree working hours and establish start and finish times.  Keep work communications to working hours, everyone has enough to think about right now.

Being disciplined and setting up a routine

Get up and follow a weekday routine, not a weekend routine.  Be at your ‘desk’ at the agreed start time.  Plan breaks and don’t be use the excuse of the many distractions around the house that might cause you to lose focus.

Dress for work

Another one from my sons list of tips – it is very helpful to prepare yourself for the working day switching from ‘home mode’ to ‘work mode’, even when you are working from home.  Don’t be a pyjama sloth. Get out of your PJ’s. Put on other clothes!

Build in breaks

Start and finish the working day just like any office based day.  When you do take a break, tear yourself away from your workspace and clear your mind.  Don’t take lunch at your desk.  If the weather allows and you have one available, get out into your garden for a few minutes.  Don’t switch on the TV – you will never recover from the distraction!

Productive use of business social media

Stay away from personal social media distractions during work time (see schedule in socials), it’s a real productivity killer.  Using social media to share helpful, informative and useful information on business channels is different.  We can all do more to help build our personal and business brand, helping colleagues and customers at the same time, particularly if your normal workload has reduced because of the present circumstances.

Tidy desk, tidy….

Keep your workspace and computer and paper files tidy.  Make things easy to access and find help to keep us focused.

Stay positive

Take advantage of working at home to set your own mood and atmosphere.  Listen to the music and radio channel YOU like, have the heating set at your own comfort level, burn an incense stick if you like.

Eat, exercise, sleep. 

Physical health is intertwined with mental health, make sure you’re getting good rest, eating well, and find exercises you can do from home.

Schedule in socials

Put some time in the day where you’re catching up with others about non-work topics, just as you would as work.  Share a cup of tea with someone via a video call, or just pick up the phone, don’t rely upon only typing and texting.

Pick up the phone!

At a time of enforced social isolation remember that not everyone has access to or uses social media or technology.   An old fashioned phone call might be a different, kind and thoughtful thing to do.

Maybe even an old fashioned phone call to people you normally only communicate with on social media would be a kind and thoughtful thing to do as well.

You may very well find that your temporary ‘new’ way of working becomes the permanent new way of working.  Do it right and the productivity and wellbeing gains can be huge.

The First base team is adopting new ways of working to support colleagues, candidates and clients through these challenging times and beyond.  Call us, email us, tweet us if you need extra support, advice or help.

Sticks and Stones – Mental Health and the Power of Words

The sad story that hit the headlines regarding Caroline Flack once again put mental health in the spotlight as more celebrities, sports people and business leaders open up about their own challenges.  Mental health issues of course don’t just affect those people we read about in the news.  They often affect the people you employ, the person sitting next to you, your boss, suppliers, customers, friends and family.

You don’t need to be an expert to help

Most of us are not experts at dealing with issues around mental health.  Awareness and enough knowledge to signpost where expert support can be found are useful, but one area we can all help with is how we communicate with other people.  Specifically, the words we speak and the words we write.

“Sticks and stones may break my bones but words…can change someone’s direction for an hour, a day or a lifetime”   –  David Tovey

Words cannot change reality, but they can change how people perceive reality.  Words create filters through which people view the world around them.  They are singularly the most powerful force available to humanity.  We can choose to use the powerful force of words constructively with words of encouragement, or destructively using words that hurt or cause despair.  Words have energy and power with the ability to help, to heal, to hinder, to hurt, to harm, to humiliate and to humble.

Words can change how people behave.  They become a self-fulfilling prophecy.  Convince someone that they can’t do something and they won’t try.  Convince them that they have the ability to succeed and they will give it their best shot.  Convince them that they are worthy human beings and they thrive, convince them they are worthless and they can spiral into a terminal decline.

Consequences 

We all have a choice about the words we use.  Everyone, but particularly those in authority, should think through the potential consequences of the words they are about to use.  We know of course that there is a body of people out there who delight in using words destructively, they intend to hurt and to humiliate.  They don’t care or think about the consequences of what they might describe as ‘just words’.  Some people feel compelled to give voice to any passing feeling, thought or impression they have.  They randomly dump the contents of their mind without regard to the significance of what they are saying.

Though it might not seem like it with all the negativity we hear that surrounds the use (misuse?) of social media, most people don’t actually intend to do harm. Never-the-less, thoughtless use of words can have the same effect.  When we speak we should speak with mindfulness, in ways that inspire and builds not that hurt or destroy.

As my grandma used to say “if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything”.

Be kind!

 “Be kind to all and speak words that are beacons of inspiration, enthusiasm and encouragement”

Kindness isn’t a soft business strategy, it is intelligent, mature, moral and improves business performance.  It is not about avoiding critical feedback, difficult conversations or pointing out where improvement is needed, it’s about the best and most effective way to communicate.  It’s not only our words that matter, the tone which we use has a huge impact.  There are certain rules that should guide all our communications with others.

Always speak the truth, avoid exaggerations, be consistent in what you are saying, don’t use double standards in addressing people, don’t use your words to manipulate others, and most importantly do not use words to insult or belittle anyone.

 THINK!

I did some voluntary work providing presentation skills at school for students with learning difficulties a couple of years ago.  On the wall in the room we use there was a hand written A1 size poster produced by the students. It had a simple yet really effective message.

Before You Speak

T   – is it true?

H –  is it helpful?

I  –   is it inspiring?

N –   is it necessary?

K –   is it kind?

THINK before we speak and we can make where we work (and the rest of the world) a little better for everybody – including those challenged by mental health issues.

Contact Tricia Hay on 01453 755330 or tricia.hay@first-base.co.uk if you would like to learn more about how the First Base team could help you or your organisations with any of the issues raised by this article.

 

 

 

How to avoid working for a bad boss

Having a difficult boss is quite often the reason we are given for why some people are looking for a new job.  A manager with poor people skills can easily make a workplace unbearable. 

Some bosses do it without realising it, while others openly manipulate their employees and use them as instruments for their own success.  Regardless of their methods, bad bosses are bad for your well-being, slow down your career progress and can create unnecessary stress. I’ve worked with over 600 management teams all over the world and have found that toxic bosses exist across all sectors.  Public bodies, charities, companies small and large all have their share of managers with poor people skills.

The teams I have worked with worked with often use the same words to describe the bad managers they have worked for.  They include:

•  Self-oriented 

•  Stubborn 

•  Overly demanding 

•  Impulsive 

•  Micro-managing

•  Bullying

In my experience many bosses aren’t surprised by the words used to describe them.  A recent CIM study found that 64% of managers admit that they need to work on their management skills.  When asked where they focus their efforts, managers overwhelmingly say, “Bringing in the numbers”; yet when they are fired, it is often due to their poor people skills.

Avoid working for bad managers

Whilst you might not be able to change your old boss, there are some questions you can ask at interview to ensure you are not about to end up working for the same character with a different name. 

1.  How long has your present team been in place?

You want to find out if there is a high turnover of staff and if possible, why.  If the interviewer avoids being specific it might be a sign that there is more conflict than is healthy. 

2.  How would your team describe your management style?

Difficult bosses will often use this question to tell you about their attitude to managing people.  If the answer is all about their own opinion and ignores the bit about what their team think, it can be a sign that they are overly self-centred. 

3.  Who are your favourite authors on leadership?

Check out what, if any, management books you can see in the interviewer’s office.  Managers who don’t read about leadership may never have been properly trained or potentially think that the know it all.  If their favourite book is “Leadership Secrets of Attila the Hun” or “Management and Machiavelli” – be warned!

4.  How would you describe the team culture?

Make sure their reply genuinely makes you a good fit for the organisation. If it makes you feel uncomfortable at interview it will be ten times worse if you join a culture you end up hating. 

5.  How does the appraisal system work here?

If you get a roll of the eyes and a reply that suggests proper feedback is just a paperwork or HR exercise, the manager might not provide the support you need to make progress. If they say that they will make sure you and everybody else will know if are not doing well – take that as a big red flag.

6.  How does the team celebrate success?

Look out for hints about attitudes to work-life balance, culture and rewards other than the usual pay and benefits. “Success will keep me off your back” or lack of a fluent answer might suggest a boss who likes to take all the praise. 

Body language and tone

Non-verbal clues often say more than words so be aware of the interviewer’s body language when you ask a questions.  Do they pause just a bit too long; do they seem uncomfortable or irritated at being asked perfectly reasonable questions?

Know what you want

Every one of those 600+ teams I’ve worked with not only knew about bad bosses, but could also describe the sort of boss that they loved to work with.  Make sure you are clear about what you want in a boss, think about the qualities you have admired in good managers that you have worked for (or would like to work for).  

Finally, ask around about the organisations reputation as an employer.  Do some subtle research personally and on social media. Check out sites such as Glass Door where previous employees leave their views and LinkedIn where you can view the profile of your interviewer.  Do they make comments or write posts that give you clues as to what they really think?

A good employer will never be concerned about being scrutinised and after all, it’s your life.  The better informed you are the easier it is to make the right decision.

If you would like to know more about how to avoid toxic bosses or asking questions at interview, call 01453 755330 or email tricia.hay@first-base.co.uk