Critical Moments

24/02/2025

Exciting News!

I’m thrilled to share that I am now accredited to deliver DISC, Driving Forces, and Emotional Quotient (EQ) assessments through the TriMetrix® EQ Assessment tool.😀

As a triple science assessment, TriMetrix® EQ provides three perspectives to understand ourselves and others by exploring
• behavioural style (HOW people prefer to behave and communicate),
• personal motivators/drivers (WHY we move into action),
• and emotional intelligence (DO we actively apply the principles of emotional intelligence).

These tools are powerful for understanding behaviour, uncovering what motivates us, and building emotional intelligence to thrive in personal and professional relationships.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you’re looking to:
• Strengthen your team dynamics,
• Navigate challenging conversations,
• Unlock leadership potential, or
• Align roles with individual strengths,

We can work together to create growth and clarity in your relationships and workspaces and make your life that little bit easier.

19/02/2025

New dry heat treatment requirements |

The recently published research from Agriculture Victoria recommended new dry heat treatment conditions change to 50°C for 2 hours to better kill phylloxera.

Vinehealth Australia has implemented this change to adopt 50°C for 2 hours for the Naracoorte Heat Shed. Vinehealth Australia has also asked for the South Australian Plant Quarantine Standard (SA PQS) to be updated, which may take some time to implement. Once the SA PQS is updated, the new dry heat treatment conditions will apply to import equipment into South Australia.

However, the new temperature conditions are best practice and Vinehealth recommends implementing them if you are importing machinery and equipment regardless of when the PQS is updated.

The new dry heat treatment condition at 50°C for 2 hours is more effective against variations in the strains of phylloxera.

The new dry heat treatment conditions still require equipment to be free of plant and soil material before treatment, as phylloxera can survive if plant and soil is present even under the new treatment conditions.

For users of the Naracoorte Heat Shed where phylloxera control is not targeted, alternative heat treatment procedures can be used.

To make a Heat Shed booking, contact Sarah Bird on 0429 430 641.

27/01/2025

Word for the Year: A Simple but Powerful Practice!

I’ll admit, I wasn’t entirely sold on the idea of picking a “word of the year” at first—it felt a little cliché. But in 2024, I gave it a go, I wrote Collaborate and Authentic in big, bright letters on the noticeboard near my desk, and, honestly? It worked.

Those words kept popping into my line of sight, reminding me to consider them when making decisions. They helped shape my actions, and guess what? Some of the outcomes were not what I expected – but in a good way!

So, for 2025, I’m doing it again. This year’s words/phrase is: "Embrace the Opportunity."

Already, this phrase has pushed me to commit to things we’d usually shy away from—no excuses, just saying yes. We’ve booked some exciting plans, which means 2025 is shaping up to be fun, busy, and full of opportunities!

Here’s my tip: Pick your word/phrase and put it somewhere you’ll see every day—your fridge, office calendar, even your phone wallpaper. Let it guide you, remind you, and inspire you.

Give it a go! I’d love to hear your word/phrase for 2025 and whether it’s helping with decisions or adding a little extra focus to your year. Drop them in the comments!

24/01/2025

Welcome to 2025 - I hope you have had a chance to relax and catch up on those things that you found difficult to find time for at the end of 2024 - relaxing, seeing family and friends, fishing, reading, just sitting etc etc!

And now, with the new year well and truly underway it is the perfect time to address those persistent "people problems" in your workplace.

Let’s chat if you’re stuck or need support navigating some of these workplace challenges!

There is a lot that we can help with:
- Conversations to understand and resolve issues.
- Training to build skills and confidence.
- Techniques to improve communication and collaboration.

The possibilities are endless! Whether it’s creating a more productive, engaging, or fun workplace, I’m here to help brainstorm solutions that will be tailored to your needs. Let’s make your workplace the best it can be.
Get in touch, and let’s explore the possibilities together!

03/12/2024

Why These Conversations Matter!

I was asked by a client recently "Will anything change?" It's a question I have spent some time thinking about, and the answer is: yes, if we choose to make it happen.

Tackling workplace challenges through open, honest conversations isn’t easy—but it’s the first step toward meaningful change. By addressing what’s uncomfortable, we create opportunities for:

*Building Understanding: Miscommunication and assumptions create barriers. Conversations help us see each other’s perspectives and find common ground.

*Strengthening Teams: A workplace where people feel heard, respected, and supported is one where collaboration and trust thrive.

*Creating Solutions Together: When issues are named, they can be addressed. We can then develop practical changes to improve processes, relationships, and the workplace culture.

Change doesn’t happen overnight, but every conversation plants a seed. With commitment, those seeds will grow into better communication, stronger teams, and a healthier, more productive workplace for everyone.

So, will it make a difference? It already has—because by showing up and being part of the conversation, you’re contributing to the future we all would like to see.

21/11/2024

If you get a chance to record the stories of those generations before you - then do it!!! This has been such a great experience, so many wonderful and amusing stories that will be lost if we don’t record them somehow. Very lucky to have Kerrie Lush work with us on this project.
Thanks to the support of
Bendigo Bank Keith and the Padthaway Wine Region. The Padthaway Lions


https://open.spotify.com/episode/1UGOEBaMdA3o5OsGBUSaus?si=Ms4tU-0yRUqdpI7KUYLhdw

Padthaway Celebrates · Episode

07/11/2024

Take Charge of Conflict with Confidence! Would you like to promote a positive, productive environment in your team or workplace?

Conflict is a part of life – but with the right tools, it can lead to stronger relationships and new ideas.
Through conflict management coaching, I can help you to build confidence in handling tough conversations, communicate clearly, find understanding and respect in difficult moments and to also turn conflict into opportunities for growth and change.

Whether it’s at work, home, or in your community, let’s turn conflict into connection.

Ready to make a change? Let’s connect and chat about the options available for you. Note: The helium balloon method isn't probably going to one of the options 😉

14/10/2024

Collaborative Conversations with Lucerne Australia

It was great to catch up with some of Lucerne Australia’s members this morning to discuss "Collaborative Conversations" and share tips for negotiating contracts this season.
With challenges hitting the small seed industry hard, understanding how to negotiate contracts effectively is key to strengthening partnerships, managing risk, and boosting profitability.

Some key takeaways include:
Be prepared – Know your value and what you bring to the table – and also what the other party brings

Communicate clearly – Understand what’s on offer and what you need. Ask questions to clarify points discussed.

Manage conflict proactively – Be professional, know when to push through and when to walk away (always leave the door open for future opportunities!).

Closing the Deal – Don’t hesitate to seek professional advice, and always document key discussions for future reference.

Remember, it’s not always just about price. Quality, reliability, and professionalism matter too. Successful negotiations create value for both sides, so aiming for win-win outcomes should always be the goal.

Here’s to stronger partnerships and a profitable season ahead!

-haves -to-haves -negotiables
Images courtesy of Lucerne Australia

08/10/2024

As many of you know, we recently said goodbye to Jeffrey, my father-in-law, after a long battle with melanoma. In 2022, he was given only weeks to live but true to his nature, he managed to fight through a few ups and downs for an extra two years.

During that time, we were able to have some tough but essential conversations, including about his funeral plans. Jeffrey took the initiative, meeting with his children and Wattle Range Funerals and even organizing his wake at , ensuring we all knew his wishes.

All this meant that when he passed, instead of facing the burden of difficult decisions, we were able to focus on celebrating his life and cherishing our memories with him.

The takeaway? Don't shy away from having these conversations with your loved ones. While tough, they do ease pressure later and give you the space to truly say goodbye when the time comes.

30/08/2024

Some conflicts will never be resolved and in all honesty, we wouldn't want them to be.
They can be fun and provide lots of good banter - for example, these two will never see eye to eye over the Crows and the Hawks! (but just quietly, the Hawks have made the finals so there is a little excitement in our household)

So onto a more serious note: Are you struggling with a Conflict? Is it always on your mind and you are not sure how to resolve it?

That's where Conflict Management Coaching can help!

Conflict is a part of life, but it doesn't have to be a barrier to your success and well-being. Conflict can often feel overwhelming, whether it's a disagreement at work, a family issue, or a challenge with a business partner.

How can Conflict Management Coaching help?

• By providing guidance through professional support tailored to your unique situation.
• By developing effective Strategies and techniques to address and resolve conflicts constructively.
• Helping to build stronger relationships that can transform challenging interactions into opportunities for growth.
• By boosting your Confidence and gaining skills to handle future conflicts with ease.

What do we offer:
• One-on-one coaching sessions
• Personalized conflict resolution strategies
• Supportive and non-judgmental environment

Ready to take the first step towards a more harmonious and productive life?
Contact us today for a free consultation and we can work on this together and turn conflict into something that is positive

25/08/2024

This week, I was thrilled to join Australia on their , the amazing mobile hub for sharing knowledge and building community connections.
As part of the event, I had the opportunity to take the stage and chat about ‘Communicating Under Pressure: Time, Practice, and Patience.’

Communication isn’t just about talking to get your point across; it’s also about speaking and listening.
There is so much info out there about communication, that it can be tricky to know where to start – so my suggestion is to start small.
Pick one skill—plan the conversation, ask questions before getting cranky, focus on the positive, know what you can control (which is just you and your choices), or simply breathing and listening —and then work on that skill for the day. You might only get it right once, but that’s a great place to start. Tomorrow, aim for two. And remember - It’s not easy, but it is worth it! AND don't forget "If you want a free kick, you have to be nice to the umpire!" 😜

Photos: Ali Tierney