Managing a team is truly an art form and it is just as difficult as it is rewarding. Humans are unpredictable and for this reason, people management can sometimes feel like managing a zoo; so many different personalities, needs and feeding schedules. It can be an absolute nightmare trying to keep up.

But as I mentioned, managing a team can also be rewarding. Personally, I get a huge rush from helping people discover and maximise their strengths and this is one of the greatest rewards that I have taken from team management. One of the greatest difficulties I experienced was balancing the needs of my team with the needs of the organisation and this has prompted me to share my top tips for managing a team, with emphasis on both success and your own happiness.

Are you hoping to get a promotion? One thing that really annoys me is the belief that promotions should go to the longest serving member of staff. It is a bit of an old-fashioned belief, but it is one that leads certain people to think that they are deserving of that next rung on the ladder, whether they have put in the work or not.

You know me, I am not one to mince my words when it comes to that sort of stuff. Sometimes the guy or gal who has been with the company the longest is not the right choice. Regardless of how long you have been with your employer, if you see a promotion at any stage in your future, I would suggest that you start working towards it now. Demonstrate that you are interested in new opportunities using these thoughtful tips:

Are you craving the next step in your career? Looking for ways to get noticed by your boss? Perhaps it is time to stop focusing on yourself and start focusing on how you can lift those around you. This may seem a little counter-intuitive when you are trying to shine a spotlight on your own achievements, but lifting your colleagues can have a flow-on effect when it comes to the culture of your workplace and can be a great way to demonstrate your leadership skills.

In this post I am exploring a few different ways that you can lift your colleagues, the positive impacts that this can have on your organisation and the ways in which you can use these changes to advance your own career.

Do you wake up in the morning and dread going to work? Are your Sunday nights spent feeling stressed and anxious about the impending week? Do you wish you could be somewhere else.... anywhere else than at your workplace?

If this sounds like you, then you need to read on. I am telling you now in no uncertain terms. Living that life is no way to live. Holding onto so much negativity, anxiety and dread towards your job is not doing you any favours. It is both physically and mentally unhealthy for you to feel so battered and defeated by your role.

I know what it is like. A course or training program has caught your eye, but your bank balance is convinced it is not an option. You might be tempted to reach for your credit card, but what if I told you that you didn't have to rack up credit card debt in order to fund your study goals? Committing to your own professional development is a positive move, but as a woman in her early thirties who is still paying off debt from mistakes in my twenties, I am no advocate for the quick fix. Put your credit card back in your wallet and check out these ideas.