By John Caldwell Throughout my career at RWR Group, I’ve seen the same costly mistake repeated time and time again. A business takes its top individual performer, a brilliant operator or a star salesperson, and promotes them into a leadership role. Everyone celebrates the promotion as a success. Six months later, that new leader is struggling, their team’s performance has dipped, and the culture is starting to sour. This isn’t a rare occurrence; it’s an epidemic of what I call ‘accidental managers’. And the data backs up what I've seen on the ground for decades. A recent Chartered Management Institute (CMI) study found that a staggering 82% of managers have received no formal leadership training. Think about that. We’re handing over our most valuable assets, our people and our culture, to leaders who have never been taught how to lead. It's no wonder Gartner found that 60% of new managers fail within their first two years. We are setting them up to fail. It’s a Selection Problem, Not Just a Skills Gap We can’t just blame a lack of training. The real issue starts earlier; it's a fundamental failure in how we select leaders. Too many organisations confuse operational excellence with leadership potential. Managing a P&L or driving sales is a completely different skill set from inspiring a team, driving strategic transformation, or building a high-performance culture. It is blunt: only one in ten people possesses the natural combination of talents to be a great manager. When we promote without a rigorous process for identifying that talent, the ripple effects are enormous: Top talent walks. People leave managers, not companies. I’ve seen entire high-performing teams dismantled by one poor leadership placement. Performance craters. An unsupported manager can’t set clear goals or motivate a team, directly impacting productivity and profitability. Brand value erodes. Your leaders define your company’s culture and reputation, both internally and in the market. Ineffective leadership damages your brand from the inside out. Building a Future-Proof Leadership Pipeline The good news is that this is entirely fixable. It requires a strategic shift in how we approach leadership development, both for external hires and internal promotions. First, hire for potential, not just past performance. When we partner with businesses, we look beyond the resume. We assess for emotional intelligence (EQ), learning agility, and genuine values alignment. Does this person have the humility to learn and the resilience to lead through change? Can they build a culture, not just manage a spreadsheet? Second, onboarding is everything. A leader's success shouldn't be left to chance. The placement is just day one. True success requires a structured development plan from the very beginning, including executive coaching, mentorship, and crystal-clear expectations for the first 90 days and beyond. At RWR Group, this is at the heart of what we do. We don’t just fill a vacancy; we act as strategic partners to help you identify and nurture leaders who are equipped to drive real transformation. Building a robust leadership pipeline isn’t just good practice—it’s the ultimate competitive advantage.

Let’s call it. Most people aren’t productive, they’re just panicking in a suit . They’re chasing their tails in a tornado of meetings, emails, Slack pings, task boards, and "quick calls" that go nowhere. And when you ask them how they’re going? “Oh mate, flat out.” Yeah. Flat out… doing what? Because here’s the thing: being busy is easy . Being effective is rare. Busy people do a lot. Effective people get results. There’s a big difference, and most professionals have lost sight of it. Somewhere along the way, output got replaced with activity. Effort replaced outcomes. Time spent became more important than value delivered. And let’s be honest: a lot of people are buying their own bullshit . They're mistaking motion for progress. Praise themselves for being 'slammed’ when all they're really doing is sweating through chaos they created by saying yes to everything and finishing nothing. This isn’t just a recruitment problem. This is an everywhere problem. Recruiters sending 100 cold reach-outs a day but filling nothing. Managers drowning in back-to-back calls with no strategy behind them. Leaders caught in decks, dashboards and “quick check-ins” that don't move a single KPI. Whole teams doing cartwheels just to look productive. The worst part? Everyone knows it. But no one wants to say it. So let me: If your calendar is full and your scoreboard is empty, you’re not busy. You’re stuck. Busy is a drug. And it’s addictive. It makes you feel needed. Important. In demand. It fills the awkward silence where results should be. But it’s also the perfect cover for lack of clarity, fear of failure, and decision avoidance . You can’t be held accountable if you’re “so busy.” You can’t be questioned if you’re burning the candle at both ends. And we reward it. We praise the hustle. We applaud the exhaustion. We promote the performers who work late… even if they never win. Meanwhile the people who quietly deliver results, they get overlooked, because they’re not seen to be grinding. Insanity. High-performers don’t look busy. They look calm. They say “no” more than they say “yes”. They don’t join every meeting. They don’t reply to emails instantly. They’re not in Slack all day. Because they’re busy thinking , doing , and delivering . They know the only KPI that matters is impact . Not noise. Not motion. Not airtime. If you don’t know what that looks like, chances are you’re surrounded by performers, not producers. So what now? Ask yourself: What did I do today that actually mattered? If I stopped half my tasks, would anyone notice? Am I producing outcomes, or just managing perception? It’s not comfortable. But that’s the point. You don’t fix a culture of noise by adding more updates. You fix it by measuring results, not reputations. You fix it by rewarding effectiveness, not effort. You fix it by cutting the crap and getting clear on what success actually looks like. So, are you actually making a dent? Or just looking busy? I’d love to hear your take. Drop a comment, disagree, tag someone who needs this.  Let’s talk about it.

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We’re in the thick of it right now—big change, big growth, and even bigger expectations. New leadership. New systems. New people. The kind of momentum we’ve been chasing for years is finally happening. And yet, if I’m being honest, the one thing keeping me up at night isn’t the tech platforms, the strategy, or the P&L. It’s our people. I’ve been working hard to bring our team along for the ride—to keep them motivated, connected, and actually enjoying the work. But it’s not easy. In fact, it’s been one of the most confronting challenges of my career. Because despite our best efforts, I’ve started to notice something... and it’s not just in our business. It’s everywhere. Lately, I’ve been walking through the city doing what I now jokingly call my “undercover investigative journalism” (a.k.a. eavesdropping). And here’s the thing: almost every single conversation I overhear is someone complaining about work. Their job. Their boss. Their workload. Their colleague. Their life at work. Not one positive work-related convo. Not even one. And I’ve been listening, properly listening, for weeks. So naturally, it’s got me thinking: What the hell is going on? Why is no one content? Is the workplace genuinely broken? Is the grass actually greener, or is it just fertilised with everyone else’s burnout? Are we all just carrying something heavier—and work’s become the easiest thing to blame? The truth is, I don’t think it’s just the workplace. And I don’t think it’s just the people, either. I think we’re in a pressure cooker of change. Economically. Technologically. Culturally. And it’s spinning so fast, a lot of people feel like they’re falling behind or just can’t keep up. So work cops the flack. Because it’s visible. It’s tangible. It’s where we spend most of our time. And let’s face it—it’s easier to blame your 9–5 than unpack the mess of uncertainty, fear, or personal stuff that might be sitting underneath it all. As leaders, we do need to create safe, motivating workplaces where people can thrive. But it also makes me wonder: Are we expecting too much from our jobs? Are we asking work to fulfil every desire, validate our worth, and solve all our life problems? Maybe the real question is this— Are we unhappy at work… Or just unhappy in general, and work is the nearest target? Edina Monsoon (yes, from Absolutely Fabulous) once said: "Cheer up world—it may bloody never happen." Maybe she was onto something. Maybe we all just need to breathe, reset, and remember that sometimes, perspective is the best productivity hack. I don’t have all the answers—but I’m listening. And if you’re leading people right now, I’d say keep listening too. Because in this crazy, changing world, that might just be the most powerful thing any of us can do.

We had the chance to sit in on the recent Trade Me breakfast event with Shamubeel Eaqub. If you haven’t come across him before, he’s one of New Zealand’s go-to economic commentators. Known for cutting through the noise with practical insights, Shamubeel has spent over 20 years making sense of complex economic shifts, writing books like Growing Apart and Generation Rent and regularly popping up in the media with straight-talking analysis. Shamubeel gave a pretty honest take on what’s really happening behind the “recession” headlines. While it might feel like the market is on pause, most businesses aren’t letting people go, they’re simply replacing them. In his words, “We’re not seeing widespread redundancies. What’s happening is churn - and that churn is still hard to manage.” At the same time, we’re seeing an uptick in business liquidations. Watching companies fold is never easy, especially when it affects people and livelihoods. But as Shamubeel pointed out, “a recession is like a reset button.” While painful, this period is also helping the sector recalibrate. Businesses that were operating on thin margins or shaky ground are being forced to take a hard look at their foundations, and that’s not all bad. Stronger businesses will emerge on the other side. We are already seeing a gap between businesses with dedicated recruitment teams and those without. Internal teams are managing to fill roles. But for everyone else, hiring still feels slow and frustrating. We’re noticing that one of the ongoing challenges in the current market is timing. While recruitment processes are understandably cautious right now, delays can make it harder to secure top candidates. The reality is that strong applicants don’t tend to stay on the market for long, and by the time decisions are made, those individuals may have already accepted other offers. Even in a quieter market, good people are still being picked up quickly, which means moving too slowly can reduce your options. Right now, many firms are playing it safe: holding back on new hires, watching cash flow, and waiting for things to settle. That caution is understandable, but it comes with risk. Shamubeel warned that “when the recovery comes, it’ll come quickly,” and those not ready to move could miss the boat. What Candidates Actually Want (and What Employers Think They Want) One of the standout insights from Shamubeel was around candidate motivators and the mismatch between what employers think people want versus what they’re actually looking for. Employers often assume that, in a tougher market, candidates are prioritising stability above all else. But Shamubeel pointed out that this just isn’t the case. What people really want is development, progression, and the chance to grow their careers. “There’s a gap,” he said, “between perceived and real motivators.” For construction businesses trying to attract or keep good people, it means shifting the focus, not just offering a secure role but showing what comes next, how someone can learn, and where they can go from there. Shamubeel also highlighted the importance of hiring for attributes as well as qualifications, things like adaptability, attitude, and cultural fit. Those people stick, grow, and add real value when the pressure’s on. Qualifications are less important in the long term than what hiring managers may think. The Key Takeaway Now is the time to act to get ahead of the curve. If you’re going to need people in the next 3–6 months, it pays to start thinking about it now. Construction projects live and die by the strength of the teams behind them. Waiting until the market “feels better” could mean missing out altogether, especially when demand picks up and supply is still tight. We’re always happy to talk about what this looks like in real time. We’re deep in the market every day and see how this plays out across different parts of the construction sector. If it’s time to start thinking ahead, we’re here to share what we’re seeing and what’s working.

In today's competitive job market, attracting top talent is about more than just offering a great salary or benefits package. Job seekers are looking for companies that align with their values, provide meaningful work, and foster a positive workplace culture. This is where employer branding plays a critical role. A strong employer brand helps organizations stand out, build credibility, and attract the best candidates.

Are you an expert in the construction field but looking for a fresh challenge? Want to stay connected to the industry you love while leveraging your skills in a new way? At RWR Construction, we offer you the opportunity to take your construction knowledge and apply it to a dynamic, rewarding career in recruitment. 1. Leverage your construction expertise Imagine using all the industry know-how you've accumulated … from site management to project delivery … to help construction companies find the talent they need to succeed. As a recruiter at RWR Construction, you’ll speak the same language as the candidates and clients you work with, making you a trusted advisor in the process. Your deep understanding of construction roles and what’s required to succeed in them is your greatest asset in this role. Instead of just working within one project, you’ll be shaping the future of many. Your career path becomes broader, more dynamic, and more rewarding as you connect people with opportunities that build the future of New Zealand’s construction industry. 2. Stay connected to the industry you love You’ve put years of effort into mastering your craft in construction … but what if you could stay just as connected to the industry, while moving into a more flexible and people-focused role? At RWR Construction, you’re still deeply involved in the sector, but your job shifts to guiding, advising, and matching talent to the right projects. It’s about understanding the industry from a different angle … one that’s just as impactful and equally satisfying. 3. Enjoy a fast-paced and rewarding career The construction sector is always evolving, and recruitment is no different. At RWR Construction, you’ll find that no two days are the same. Whether you're sourcing candidates, advising clients, or developing recruitment strategies, every day offers something new. It’s a fast-paced environment that offers both challenge and reward, but with the added satisfaction of helping people grow in their careers. 4. Shape the future of New Zealand’s construction landscape Recruitment is more than filling roles — it’s about shaping the future. At RWR Construction, you’re contributing to the success of projects that shape New Zealand’s skyline and infrastructure. By placing the right people in the right positions, you’re helping ensure that construction projects are delivered on time, with the best talent at the helm. It’s a rewarding way to see the results of your work on a larger scale. 5. A career that grows with you Just like the construction industry, recruitment offers endless opportunities for career growth. At RWR Construction, we provide our recruiters with the tools and training to excel and grow into leadership roles. You’re not just stepping into a job — you’re launching a new career that builds on the skills and expertise you already have, with opportunities to advance and thrive in the recruitment world. Coupled with a competitive salary, a quarterly commission structure, international incentive trips and up to 7 weeks annual leave, you're sure to enjoy a rewarding career that offers both personal and professional growth, all while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. RWR Construction is where your love for construction meets your passion for people. If you’re ready to take the next step in your career and want to use your expertise to make a meaningful impact in the construction sector, join us at RWR Construction … and let’s build New Zealand’s future together.

The way companies engage with recruitment agencies is outdated—and it's costing them top talent. For years, many businesses have viewed recruitment agencies through a narrow lens—either as a necessary cost when internal hiring efforts fail or as a transactional service provider. Some have even operated under the outdated belief that agencies are expendable, treating them as secondary participants in the hiring process. But the landscape has changed. The power dynamics in recruitment have shifted, and agencies now hold more influence than ever before. Companies that fail to recognise this shift and continue to dismiss agencies as mere vendors risk damaging their employer brand, limiting their talent pool, and ultimately losing out on top candidates. Recruiters Are at the Centre of the Talent Ecosystem Recruitment agencies are no longer just about filling jobs. We sit at the very centre of the hiring ecosystem, constantly engaging with talent, market trends, and employer brands. We are: ✅ Market specialists ✅ Career advisers ✅ Employer brand ambassadors ✅ Talent strategists Our relationships with candidates start long before they actively look for a role. The best talent isn’t sitting on job boards—they are building careers, and we are the ones guiding them. Recruiters have deep, long-standing relationships that give us real influence over where talent chooses to go next. Even when a company is hiring directly, candidates will often consult with their recruiter before making a decision. They want to know: 📌 What is the company’s reputation? 📌 Do they have a high turnover? 📌 How do they treat employees? 📌 Is it worth making the move? Recruitment agencies hold immense influence over hiring decisions, even in situations where they are not directly involved in the process. The way businesses engage with agencies determines how they are positioned in these critical conversations. 💡 If a company has a strong, collaborative relationship with an agency, recruiters will naturally advocate for them—recommending them as an employer of choice, reinforcing positive aspects of their brand, and encouraging top candidates to seriously consider their roles. On the flip side, if a company dismisses, ignores, or mistreats agencies? That same agency is just as likely to steer candidates away. Agencies Have More Reach Than Internal Hiring Teams One of the biggest misconceptions is that internal recruitment teams have the same reach as agencies. The reality is, they don’t—because they can’t. Recruitment agencies are built for volume. Our teams are significantly larger than most internal TA functions, and we speak to thousands of candidates every single week across a variety of industries, skill levels, and geographies. This benefits companies in two ways: We can find talent faster. The best candidates are already in our networks, meaning we can deliver top-tier talent before a company’s job ad has even gained traction. We amplify employer brands. With our far-reaching networks, the businesses we work with get significant visibility among active and passive job seekers. Every interaction we have is a chance to promote a brand in the talent market. A company’s employer brand isn’t just shaped by Glassdoor reviews or career sites. It’s built through daily conversations happening between recruiters and candidates. Companies that work with agencies get the benefit of positive reinforcement in those conversations. Companies that dismiss agencies risk the opposite—being left out of the talent conversation entirely. It’s Not Just About Hiring—It’s About Market Intelligence A strong relationship with recruiters doesn’t just give companies access to candidates—it gives them access to real-time market intelligence that can shape hiring strategy. Recruiters are constantly gathering insights on: Salary expectations and trends – are you offering competitive pay? Competitor hiring activity – where is your talent being poached? 📊 Candidate sentiment – how is your company perceived in the market? Hiring challenges – why are some roles taking longer to fill than others? This data is invaluable, yet many companies miss out on it because they only engage recruiters on a transactional basis. Even businesses that don’t have a recruitment budget should be fostering strong relationships with agencies to gain these insights for free. Specialist Agencies = Less Competition for Your Talent A decade ago, recruitment agencies were largely generalists, meaning they sourced candidates across multiple industries. That meant whether or not a company worked with an agency didn’t impact their risk of losing talent—recruiters were sourcing from everywhere. That’s no longer the case. Today, most agencies specialise in specific industries, building deep talent pools within niche markets. What does this mean for employers? If a company builds a strong relationship with a sector specialist recruiter, they are far less likely to lose their talent to competitors via that agency. If a company burns bridges with an agency, that same agency is far more likely to approach their top talent for competing brands. Companies need to understand that how they engage with agencies directly impacts their ability to retain staff. No business can afford to become a top-of-mind sourcing ground simply because of poor treatment of agencies leading to a damaged relationship. Agencies Are Also Your Customers Another overlooked reality: Recruiters are not just vendors—we are also your customers. Recruitment agencies are run by business professionals who make purchasing decisions just like any other company. We buy from your stores, dine in your restaurants, stay in your hotels, and use your products. Our networks are full of professionals who do the same. The way a company treats recruiters doesn’t just impact hiring—it influences business reputation and consumer choices. If you engage agencies with respect and collaboration, you don’t just gain recruitment support—you gain brand advocates across multiple industries. But if you treat recruiters poorly, you risk alienating entire professional networks who have influence beyond hiring decisions. The Power Dynamic Has Shifted—Are You Keeping Up? The days of companies holding all the power over recruitment agencies are gone. Agencies now have more reach, more influence, and more industry intelligence than ever before. The smartest brands recognise this and engage with recruiters as true partners—whether they use them for placements or not. They build relationships, share insights, and collaborate in ways that strengthen their employer brand and hiring success. The ones that don’t? They put themselves at risk. Because in today’s market, no employer can afford to alienate the very people who control the narrative around where talent should go next. Do you agree that agencies hold more power in today’s hiring landscape? Let’s discuss this in the comments!

How to Ask Your Current Manager for a Reference When you're in the midst of a job search, providing strong references is a key part of the process. References serve as a testament to your work experience, validating the skills and achievements you've highlighted in your resume and during interviews. However, asking your current manager for a reference can be daunting, especially if you haven't yet decided to leave your current role. Here’s how to approach this situation with confidence and respect. 1. Be Clear and Respectful When asking your current manager for a reference, it’s important to be direct and clear about what you need. Avoid being vague or evasive. Start by expressing your interest in a new opportunity that you believe aligns well with your career goals. Let your manager know that you value the experience and support you’ve received in your current role, but that you feel ready to take on new challenges that will help you grow professionally. It’s also crucial to clarify that you’re not resigning—you're simply exploring opportunities. This distinction helps prevent any confusion and keeps the conversation focused on your request for a reference. 2. Prepare for Their Response It’s natural to be unsure of how your manager will react. Some managers may view your request as a loss to the team, while others might see it as an opportunity to help you advance in your career. Be open to their response, whether it’s positive or more reserved. In some cases, your manager might even offer you new responsibilities or a different role within the company to persuade you to stay. If this happens, consider the offer carefully—could this internal opportunity provide the growth you’re seeking without having to leave the organization? 3. Address Potential Disagreements If you and your manager don’t always see eye to eye, asking for a reference might feel even more intimidating. However, don’t let this deter you. Just because you’ve had differences doesn’t mean they won’t give you a fair and positive reference. Approach them with honesty, respect, and directness. Explain your intentions clearly, and you might be surprised by their willingness to support your next career move. 4. Don’t Feel Guilty It’s natural to feel a mix of emotions when considering leaving your current job. Guilt is a common feeling, especially if you have a good relationship with your manager or feel loyal to your team. However, it’s important to remember that your career development is your priority. Your manager understands that employees don’t stay with a company forever, and as long as you’ve been dedicated and hardworking during your tenure, you have no reason to feel bad about seeking new opportunities. Key Takeaways Be direct and clear : Clearly communicate your intentions and why you’re seeking a reference. Listen to their response : Be open to any feedback or offers they might present. Stay respectful : Even if there have been disagreements, approach your manager with honesty and respect. Focus on your growth : Remember that your career development is important, and it’s okay to move on when the time is right.  Asking your current manager for a reference might feel uncomfortable, but with the right approach, it can be a positive experience. It’s an important step in your job search that can help you secure the role that’s right for you. And remember, your manager’s reference could be the key that opens the door to your next great opportunity.