How to Manage Someone Who Acts Superior at Work

Written by Nicola Richardson, Founder of The People Mentor. The People Mentor helps small employers, managers and leaders handle difficult conversations, strengthen accountability and lead with calm, practical confidence. This article explores what acting superior at work actually looks like, why managers avoid addressing it, and how to have a direct, professional conversation that changes … Read more

Why Managing an Underperformer is Exhausting (and What Helps)

Written by Nicola Richardson, The People Mentor. After more than three decades leading teams, Nicola founded The People Mentor to help employers tackle the conversations most managers spend years trying to avoid. Her COMPASS Conversation Model provides leaders with a practical structure that works. This article looks at why underperformance takes such a toll on … Read more

Is Your Workplace Culture Actually Welcoming Neurodiverse People?

I want to start with something that might feel a little uncomfortable. You might have read my previous blog, The Untapped Talent Hiding in Plain Sight, and come away thinking, “Right, I understand neurodiversity better now. I know about masking. I know I need to be more curious about the person in front of me.” … Read more

Handling the Tough Return to the Workplace Conversation

Hi, I’m Nicola from The People Mentor and welcome to another episode of my series. I was scrolling through a management forum last week when I came across something that made me stop in my tracks. A leader asked for advice on bringing just one person from their remote team back into the office. Everyone … Read more

How to Address Employee Complaints About Management to Elevate Team Happiness

Hi, I’m Nicola from the People Mentor. Let’s talk about one of the most awkward situations you face as a senior manager when employees come to you complaining about their boss. I know this one inside and out because I’ve been on both sides of it. I’ve had people come crying to me about their … Read more