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Boss of Busy

Resources Vault

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Congratulations on completing the program.

We know that real learning doesn’t stop when the workshop ends. It’s a continuous cycle of applying, refining, and revisiting ideas when they matter most.

That’s why we’ve created the Boss of Busy Resources Vault—your go-to collection of practical tools, frameworks, videos, articles, and podcasts. Whether you need a refresher, a new perspective, or a nudge in the right direction, these ‘51-and-done’ resources are here to support you (that’s one resource a week every year with time to sit back over Chrissy break). Think of this as your digital desk buddy—ready whenever you need inspiration or guidance in your leadership journey.

USING THE VAULT

51 and done. A resource a week for a whole year – with a break for a cheeky Christmas pud.

Here’s how to make the most of it.

WATCH

PT Video Library

Explore our curated collection of video resources designed to help leaders take control of their workload, prioritise with confidence, and lead with impact. Whether you’re juggling competing demands, setting boundaries, or empowering your team to work smarter, these videos offer practical insights and actionable strategies to help you thrive in the fast-paced world of leadership.

Sometimes people will lash out verbally and attack you; we give you 3 neuroscience-backed suggestions to consider when this happens

It's not about being perfect but knowing and avoiding some of those common missteps you might make that can impact your confidence and your influence.

At the heart of effective listening in constructive conversations lies four key steps: active listening, paraphrasing, summarising, and asking open ended questions.

Which communication medium do you use for what message? Unpack the strengths and weaknesses of each.

The very nature of tough conversations means that emotions can run high: for both you and others. This vid covers some tips to cool things down.

How to be fully prepared for your upcoming tough conversation using the 4S Framework - State, space, structure and steps. Be ready, on time, every time.

Team meetings can be frustrating. Using behaviour-based language explore this activity around improving team meeting culture.

Feedback is vital for growth, yet leaders often hinder it unknowingly. Let’s examine the common pitfalls in asking for and responding to feedback—and how to avoid them.

When teams feel safe, some pretty remarkable things can happen. Watch for tips on how to foster this with your team.

Explore how you can dramatically improve connection, communication and depth of engagement by leaving the desk behind and stretching those legs.

A snippet from a big-stage keynote delivered by Daz, this clip on 'First Person, First Time is absolute gold and can take your feedback culture to another level

Conflict is a natural part of team dynamics, but how you handle it can either strengthen or weaken your team. Here are six key approaches to effectively managing interpersonal conflict.

Can’t get enough?

Check out our go-to TED Talks from our fav thought-leaders in the space. Psst… you can also play the full playlist here. Kick back and let the playlist roll, or jump ahead and click on whatever catches your eye on the right.

How to Lead Tough Conversations | Adar Cohen Dare to Disagree | Margaret Heffernan How to Have Constructive Conversations | Julia Dhar Training Employees to Have Difficult Conversations | Tamekia MizLadi Get Comfortable With Being Uncomfortable | Luvvie Ajayi Jones

DOWNLOAD

Frameworks and Tools

Gain access to practical tools and proven frameworks to help you manage competing priorities, set boundaries, and maximise your impact. These resources are designed to cut through the noise, giving you a structured approach to staying focused, making confident decisions, and leading your team effectively.

Finding Your Tough Stuff

This tool helps individuals assess their confidence in handling tough conversations by rating themselves along key behavioural continuums.

Download

Tough Conversations Checklist

Key checklist for planning, conducting, and following up on tough conversations.

Download

20 Questions for Tough Conversations

A list of 20 great questions to ask when facilitating a tough conversation.

Download

Calibrating High Psychological Safety & Support

Create an open, safe, and nonjudgmental environment while upholding clear performance standards through proactive support and accountability.

Download

How to Explore the Antecedent

Explore the events, conditions, or triggers that occur before a behaviour takes place - this is key to behaviour modification.

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How to Introduce Competing Behaviours

Introduce positive alternatives that make unwanted behaviours impossible or unnecessary.

Download

Traits to Behaviours Mapping Guide

A guide to turn traits into preferred behaviours when providing feedback or setting expectations.

Download

Post Conversations Reflection Guide

A guide to complete a personal reflection within 24 hours of your tough conversation.

Download

Choosing the Right Communication Medium

Which communication medium do you use for what message? Unpack the strengths and weaknesses of each.

Download

Addressing Team Meeting Culture

Work through this common case study that helps you address and improve team meeting culture.

Download

READ

Reading Materials

Dive into a handpicked collection of books and articles covering productivity, prioritisation, and smart decision-making. These resources offer fresh insights and practical strategies to help you work smarter, stay focused, and lead with greater clarity and confidence.

Stand Out

Alison Hill

Being busy has become a badge of honour – albeit a heavy, awkward, uncomfortable badge that doesn’t go with anything in your wardrobe. Using psychology, this book takes you deep into the key pillars for our happiness, health and sanity to help you live a life filled with purpose and progress.

Atomic Habits

James Clear

In this ground-breaking book, Clears reveals exactly how tiny changes can grow into such life-altering outcomes. He uncovers a handful of simple life hacks (the forgotten art of Habit Stacking, the unexpected power of the Two Minute Rule, or the trick to entering the Goldilocks Zone), and delves into cutting-edge psychology and neuroscience to explain why they matter.

Stolen Focus

Johann Hari

Hari learned how we can reclaim our focus--as individuals, and as a society--if we are determined to fight for it. Stolen Focus will transform the debate about attention and finally show us how to get it back.

The Perfectionist's Guide to Losing Control

Katherine Morgan Schafler

Morgan Schafler's book identifies five distinct types of perfectionist - Classic, Parisian, Messy, Intense, and Procrastinating. As you identify your unique perfectionist profile, you'll learn how to manage each form of perfectionism to work for you, not against you. Beyond managing it, you'll learn how to embrace and even enjoy your perfectionism.

Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals

Oliver Burkeman

Four Thousand Weeks is an uplifting, engrossing and deeply realistic exploration of this problem that draws on philosophy, literature and psychology to cover the past, present and future of our battles with time. It goes far beyond practical tips, and its many revelations will transform the reader's worldview.

The Busy Brain Cure

Dr Romie Mushtaq

An eye-opening guidebook for professionals looking to overcome their chronic stress, burnout and Busy Brain symptoms using a simple eight-week plan by Dr Romie Mushtaq.

Burnout: The Secret to Solving the Stress Cycle

Emily & Amelia Nagoski

Delivering cutting-edge science with energy, empathy and wit, this is the book all women need to take back control, end the cycle of overwhelm and live a more joyful life. This groundbreaking book explains why women experience burnout differently than men - and provides a simple, science-based plan to help women minimise stress, manage emotions and live a more joyful life.

Habit Revolution

Gina Cleo

The Habit Revolution is a science-backed guide to breaking unwanted patterns and creating lasting change by reprogramming your brain. Written by habit researcher Dr Gina Cleo, the book debunks the myth of willpower and instead offers practical, evidence-based techniques to help you form better habits, overcome setbacks, and reshape your lifestyle—no matter your starting point.

The Upside of Stress

Kelly McGonigal

The Upside of Stress by Kelly McGonigal reveals how changing your mindset about stress can boost resilience, performance, and wellbeing. Backed by science, it shows that embracing stress—rather than avoiding it—can lead to greater growth and meaning in life.

Comfort Crisis

Michael Easter

The Comfort Crisis by Michael Easter explores how modern life has become too comfortable—and how stepping outside your comfort zone can unlock resilience, focus, and true fulfilment. Backed by science and personal adventure, it’s a call to embrace discomfort for a stronger, more meaningful life.

The Power of Habit

Charles Duhigg

Award-winning journalist Charles Duhigg takes us into the thrilling and surprising world of the scientific study of habits. He visits laboratories where neuroscientists explore how habits work and where, exactly, they reside in our brains.

Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World

Cal Newport

Deep work' is the ability to focus without distraction on a cognitively demanding task. Coined by author and professor Cal Newport on his popular blog Study Hacks, deep work will make you better at what you do, let you achieve more in less time and provide the sense of true fulfilment that comes from the mastery of a skill.

LISTEN

Podcasts

1:12:31-1:26:06

How to Work with (Almost) Anyone - Stand Out Life

Stanier shares insights on coaching, curiosity, power dynamics, and the Keystone Conversation framework. Link to podcast.

15:26-20:10

How to Work With Difficult People - The Modern Manager

Amy Gallo talks about the manager’s role in solving work conflict, working with difficult co-workers, and provides insights into different types of difficult behaviours. Link to podcast.

14:52 - 19:39

Beyond Sorry. How to Apologise and Mean It - Radical Candour

Learn about the anatomy of a genuine apology and how to structure a genuine one. Link to podcast.

00:00 - 55:36

Playing Big, Getting Stuff Done & Tough Conversations - This is Work

Dom Price (Work Futurist at Atlassian) dives deep into what it means to play big, embrace a ‘do-ocracy’ (getting stuff done), and how to handle tough conversations at work. Link to podcast.

00:00 - 1:28:00

Decoding Difficult Conversations - The Knowledge Project with Shane Parrish

Sheila Heen, two time NY Times best selling author, consultant, and lecturer at Harvard Law School, makes the tough talks easier by breaking down the three layers that make up every difficult conversation. Link to podcast.

00:00 - 18:29

The Science of Better Workplace Conversations - Working It

Explore the behavioural science behind workplace conversations, offering strategies to navigate tough discussions with confidence, improve dialogue quality, and foster better professional relationships. Link to podcast.

00:00 - 11:45

Joy, Conflict and Leading Creative Teams - Dare to Lead by Brene Brown

Kam explains the daily conflict that bubbles up in the creative process and how normalizing that conflict helps us get to the creative magic. Link to podcast.

00:00 - 13:14

How to Repair a Broken Relationship at Work - HBR on Leadership

Conflict expert Amy Gallo says repairing a broken professional relationship will improve your work life — whether it’s your boss, a coworker, or even your employee. Link to podcast.

00:00 - 26:34

How to Have Difficult Conversations - A Bit of Optimism by Simon Sinek

This episode helps others start those uncomfortable conversations that need to be had right now for us all to move forward. Link to podcast.

00:00 - 34:19

Liz Fosslein: Learning from Your Emotions - Lancefield on the Line

Liz Fosslein is the co-author and illustrator of national best-sellers and an expert on effectively embracing emotions at work. This episode talks about how to handle and learn from your anger, burnout, comparison, feelings of uncertainty. Link to podcast.

00:00 - 17:47

Feedback Made Easy - No Bullsh!t Leadership

Learn why mastery of difficult conversations make great leaders, the 7 key elements of great feedback, and how to prepare for these crucial conversations. Link to podcast.

00:00 - 24:54

Master Communicator: 4 Tips for Better Conversations - The Mindset Mentor

Learn how active listening, non-verbals, tone, and clarity can help leaders have better conversations. Link to podcast.

Our best-selling books,
your new desk-buddy.

Help your teams take ownership of their work, build a standout reputation, and make an impact where it matters. This practical guide is packed with insights on navigating priorities, communicating with confidence, and bringing your best to the table—every day. It’s no wonder these books keep finding their way onto leaders’ desks.

Buy the Stand Out book

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At Pragmatic Thinking we acknowledge First Nations people both here in Australia and around the world. We have the great privilege of working on ancient country that has had countless millennia of teaching, learning, leadership and culture; we pay our deepest respects to the wisdom of Indigenous people and custom past, present and emerging.