Next level of performance management—or the ick?
Management Christine Armstrong Management Christine Armstrong

Next level of performance management—or the ick?

Your performance review is coming up and you’re nervous.

You’re feeling quite disconnected: you’ve not seen a lot of your manager aside from in Teams calls, you keep missing them in the office, and they’re super busy. (Plus, you’re pretty sure they don’t quite know what it is that you do, or how painful that client is.)

Read More
How to handle bullies & blunderers
Bullying Christine Armstrong Bullying Christine Armstrong

How to handle bullies & blunderers

Dominic Raab (Deputy Prime Minister) and Tony Danker (Director-General of the CBI) have both left their jobs, furiously refuting allegations of bullying and harassment.

I, like most of you I reckon, recognise the pattern.

Read More
How to manage stress like the top 10%
Stress Christine Armstrong Stress Christine Armstrong

How to manage stress like the top 10%

This week on the vlog, we have Rob Cross on his new book The Microstress Effect: How Little Things Pile Up and Create Big Problems—and What to Do about It (gosh Americans Love Capital Letters!). Co-written with Karen Dillon and published by Harvard Business Review Press.

Read More
How to x100 your hybrid productivity
Hybrid Christine Armstrong Hybrid Christine Armstrong

How to x100 your hybrid productivity

The question I’m always asked is whether home or office work is more productive. And for all the data reports on this, there isn’t a conclusive pattern (despite what the Daily Mail shouts).

But I have a hypothesis...

Read More
How I overcame the fear of presenting
Presentation Christine Armstrong Presentation Christine Armstrong

How I overcame the fear of presenting

When I come off stage, people so often ask me how I do it—because they would ’RATHER DIE’ than talk on a stage.

I get it. I used to sweat, my mouth would go dry, I would talk far too fast (yes, I know I’m still too fast sometimes), and my voice would get very high. But I broke it down and figured it out. And you can too.

Read More
What price face-to-face?
Collaboration Christine Armstrong Collaboration Christine Armstrong

What price face-to-face?

Last week, I was invited to a 90 minute meeting at someone’s office that turned out to be entirely in their interest.

Pre-Covid, I’d barely have noticed.

On Zoom, I’d have let it slide.

But using up one of my precious slots in town without seeking mutual benefit?

Read More
Secret manoeuvres: return to office
Office Return Christine Armstrong Office Return Christine Armstrong

Secret manoeuvres: return to office

You know bosses are desperate to get people back when an accountant from 22 Bishopsgate calls to tell you that they are hosting puppy play dates to tempt you into the office. Only it doesn’t work because the puppies are so booked up that the waiting lists are endless (note: anyone who can blag me in to film a vlog smooching cutie pups will be due a fine lunch).

Read More
Quit it like Jacinda (not Boris)
Change Christine Armstrong Change Christine Armstrong

Quit it like Jacinda (not Boris)

Jacinda knew it. Boris didn’t, This week, Rachel Schofield’s back to share: ⏰ When it’s time to quit your job 🎯 And what to do when it is

Read More
Conflict—don’t let it silence you!
Conflict Christine Armstrong Conflict Christine Armstrong

Conflict—don’t let it silence you!

Last week in Zurich I spoke to an international group of senior women at The Boardroom about power and presenting.

Their biggest unifying fear is being publicly challenged—many admit they’d rather avoid speaking than risk a battle.

Read More
Failing for 15 years: habits that work
New Year Christine Armstrong New Year Christine Armstrong

Failing for 15 years: habits that work

At my girls’ boarding school, our running groups were sorted alphabetically by fruit: the Apples were the stars, Bananas were pretty good. My friend Emily and I were Ugli fruits, and fought hard to never get promoted for fear we might have to break a sweat in a race.

Read More
Sort your damn life out!
Future Christine Armstrong Future Christine Armstrong

Sort your damn life out!

‘Indecision is expensive’, says Felix as he concludes why he and his wife go through an ‘awkward’ annual planning process to make the big decisions in their life.

Read More
It’s time to joyscape Christmas!
Future Christine Armstrong Future Christine Armstrong

It’s time to joyscape Christmas!

A friend told me she was crawwwwwwling to Christmas yesterday.

God knows, it feels like a battle this year
 Which is why, right here and now, this is the moment to plan some joy.

Read More
2023 predictions: Sunday the new Friday
Future Christine Armstrong Future Christine Armstrong

2023 predictions: Sunday the new Friday

Don’t doubt me, friends! I’m so ahead of my time that I had a Neil Diamond impersonator singing â€˜Sweet Caroline’ at our wedding 14 years ago. 

And, with those rock-solid credentials in place, this is what I’m expecting to see next year:

Read More