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Work hacks

This Month

Why this CEO gave up measuring his sleep

Alex Davison, chief executive of L’Oreal Group in Australia and New Zealand, does a lot to ensure he gets eight hours sleep a night, but he doesn’t measure it anymore.

  • Sally Patten
Kiria McNamara at South of Johnston in Collingwood, Melbourne.

Ask this exec for five minutes, and she’ll probably say ‘no’

Kiria McNamara, director of people and culture at Swisse Wellness and a 2024 BOSS Young Executive, tends to decline impromptu catch-ups.

  • Euan Black
Gurbaj Pawar at breakfast at BarLume in North Sydney.

Don’t go on holidays to relax, push yourself, says this top exec

Gurbaj Pawar, head of strategy at insurance broking company AUB Group and a 2024 BOSS Young Executive, hikes and plays with his young daughter to stay fit.

  • Sally Patten

January

The brave career move that helped propel Matt Comyn to the top of CBA

The CEO of Australia’s biggest bank reveals pivotal moments in his career – and how much sleep he likes to get.

  • Sally Patten and Lap Phan

Ten CEOs share their favourite productivity hacks

For many of our CEOs, more useful than apps and computer programs were strategies that helped them zero in on the work that matters most.

  • Euan Black and Sally Patten
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Sinead Booth loves driving her Tesla.

Why this exec allows colleagues to see everything in her diary

Sinead Booth, group manager of decarbonisation delivery at Fortescue Metals, is one of the 2024 BOSS Young Executives. She practises radical transparency when it comes to her calendar.

  • Sally Patten
Booking.com’s Todd Lacey heads to the airport gym on layovers.

This exec has a fix for jet lag that’s been staring you in the face

Booking.com Oceania manager and BOSS Young Executive Todd Lacey says he also swears by two supplements to keep him healthy.

  • Sally Patten

December 2024

Staff got a nine-day fortnight, but still waste time on one thing

Grant Thornton CEO Greg Keith doesn’t like to see staff, who work a nine-day fortnight, wasting time waiting for everyone to get their coffee before they go back to the office.

  • Updated
  • Sally Patten and Lap Phan

November 2024

Why being good at your job isn’t enough to get a promotion

Brighter Super CEO Kate Farrar reveals the secrets to getting a promotion, what she does at 4am and what she learnt from failing at an investment bank. 

  • Updated
  • Sally Patten and Lap Phan
Cicada boss Sally Ann Williams.

A top CEO reveals what you shouldn’t do in a job interview

Cicada Innovations chief Sally-Ann Williams discusses tips when trying to advance your career, and the thing she does every morning to make better decisions.

  • Sally Patten and Martin Peralta
Paul Scurrah.

The mantra that keeps this CEO ahead of the game

Former Virgin CEO Paul Scurrah reveals how he avoids distractions, what he has learnt from the collapse of two airlines and why he doesn’t eat until midday.

  • Sally Patten and Martin Peralta

October 2024

This top accountant doesn’t eat in airport lounges, with one exception

Tony Schiffmann, chief executive partner at accounting firm BDO, reveals why he schedules all his meetings in the morning, why he doesn’t lunch, and the airport lounge he likes to eat in.

  • Sally Patten

August 2024

How this CEO wins back clients his business has lost

Advertising boss Michael Rebelo is a big believer in being magnanimous when he loses a deal or a client.

  • Sally Patten and Lap Phan

July 2024

The six tips that stuck with 2024’s BOSS Young Executives

There’s no single route to the top. But a few good habits will help you on your way.

  • Sally Patten

Why this top lawyer has a nanny

For KWM chief executive partner Renae Lattey, having home help means that she gets time to herself, as well as time to devote to her family and job. 

  • Ciara Seccombe and Lap Phan
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Joy Krige at Vans Cafe in Cottesloe, Perth. Krige likes to exercise in the morning, which she says is her time.

What this CEO eats depends how bad the last meeting was

Joy Krige, CEO of Cranecorp Australia in Perth, grazes from her snack drawer during the day, rather than eat a formal breakfast or lunch.

  • Sally Patten

June 2024

Top CEO reveals the biggest mistakes he ever made

Koda Capital CEO Paul Heath says among the worst errors he has made is failing to realise how difficult change can be for staff.

  • Ciara Seccombe and Lap Phan

April 2024

Setting yourself a goal to lose weight may not work.

The four steps that change your behaviour - and achieve goals

Rather than setting goals, we are better off finding cues to trigger new habits.

  • Amantha Imber
Dale Connor eats breakfast at The Grounds of the City in Sydney’s CBD.

Why this CEO packs five days’ worth of work into four days

Lendlease Australia chief executive Dale Connor lives in Brisbane but spends his workweek in the property company’s Sydney office.

  • Sally Patten

March 2024

Why this CEO is happy to admit he is ‘not particularly smart’

Intrepid Travel chief James Thornton says he did “OK” at school and isn’t that smart. But he was CEO by the age of 35.

  • Sally Patten and Lap Phan

Original URL: https://www.afr.com/topic/work-hacks-1nng