Across Aotearoa, elected members on local boards and councils are putting themselves forward to serve their communities.
Not for fame, not for fortune, but because they care deeply. They do it for their values, for their neighbours, for the places they call home.
But something is going wrong.
These good people are being unfairly criticised, abused, and in some cases, assaulted.
The result? Communities are losing their most compassionate, values-driven representatives.
Let’s be clear - it’s not the representatives who need to change. It’s the behaviour of those causing harm.
At WARN International we’ve begun running workshops for elected members to support them in their roles.
Our first workshop helps them reconnect with the deeper reasons they chose to serve – their values, their purpose, their hope to make a difference.
The second workshop equips them to manage the unwanted behaviour of others. And for those who need more, we offer one-on-one coaching.
We would prefer not to have to run the second workshop nor the one-to-one coaching.
Every single person we’ve worked with has a huge heart. They care. And, we are losing them because of the callous unthinking behaviour of others.
If you want to support those who support you, please communicate with kindness. Understand that they are doing their best, often under immense pressure, and for very little financial reward.
Yes, a small minority of elected members may be driven by ideology rather than community needs. Yet the vast majority are there for the right reasons.
Words can hurt. Abuse can destroy. Physical violence is unacceptable and those responsible will be held to account.
Let’s talk!
Say One Kind Thing Today!
Why is it that so many people are quick to make a derogatory comment about others, yet slow to say something kind?
Is it human nature? Is it jealousy? Is it tall poppy syndrome?
I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately. About how we seem drawn to negativity, how we read the comments, share the outrage, and for some people even join in. Why?
Maybe it’s because of our negativity bias - our survival mechanism hardwired into our brains.
We’re biologically tuned to notice threats, to remember the bad more than the good. It is what helped our ancestors stay alive.
But in today’s world, it can make us hyper-aware of flaws, mistakes and imperfections, both in others and in ourselves.
Maybe it’s because hurting people tend to hurt people, and who’s not hurting right now?
When someone lashes out, it often says more about their pain than the person they’re targeting. It’s a cry for help disguised as criticism.
We don’t have to stay stuck in that cycle.
Neuroscience tells us that positive words and thoughts can literally rewire our brains. Holding a kind word in your mind activates the frontal lobe, the part of the brain responsible for empathy, reasoning and action.
Over time, this can shift how we see ourselves and others.
So what if, instead of tearing people down, we lifted them up? What if we made a habit of saying the good - the compliments we think but don’t share, the admiration we feel but keep to ourselves?
What would happen if we chose to be kind, even when it’s hard to?
I believe we’d feel better, I believe others would too, and I believe the ripple effect could be profound.
So here’s my challenge to you - say one kind thing to someone today. Not because they need it (although they might), but because you do.
Be the one who breaks the cycle.
Let’s talk!
Childhood Memories.
Every now and then, I find myself drifting back to childhood memories. Often this will happen when I have been in a state of stress.
The smell of freshly cut grass, fish and chips, the sound of kids playing on the street, the feeling of safety in the simplicity of a long-forgotten time.
Why do our minds take us back there?
From a neuroscience perspective, this is linked to the brain’s default mode network (DMN), the system active when we’re not focused on the outside world, often during daydreaming or reflection.
The DMN helps us process our identity, emotions, and memories.
When life feels uncertain or overwhelming, the brain instinctively revisits familiar, comforting experiences to restore emotional balance.
Childhood memories are stored in the hippocampus, a region tied to long-term memory and emotional regulation.
These memories often carry strong emotional weight, and revisiting them can activate the brain’s reward system, releasing dopamine, which helps us feel safe and soothed.
These moments can help us remember who we were before the world told us who to be.
For me, these memories are grounding. They remind me of the values I grew up with, the resilience I didn’t know I had, and the dreams that still play in the background.
So, if you find yourself thinking about your childhood lately, don’t dismiss it. Lean into it.
There might be something there you need to remember or reclaim.
What’s one childhood memory that still brings you peace?
Let’s talk!
Make People Feel Safe
In our line of work, whether it’s advanced communications, personal safety, or coping skills to get through life’s challenges, psychological safety is a necessity.
Psychological safety means people feel safe to be human - safe to ask questions, share ideas, and admit mistakes. To speak up without fear of ridicule, rejection, or retaliation.
When people don’t feel safe, they shut down, and the brain goes into survival mode. What does this do to an organisation? Creativity wanes, communication breaks down, and trust erodes.
However, when psychological safety is present, people thrive, teams unite, and the brain shifts from protection to connection.
Oxytocin flows and cortisol drops. The prefrontal cortex, the part responsible for decision-making and empathy, comes alive.
So how do we build it?
We listen – not to fix, but to understand.
We lead with vulnerability – because true strength is found in honesty.
We protect and support the quiet voices – because every perspective matters.
We respond with compassion – especially when someone takes the risk to speak up.
At WARN International, we believe that psychological safety is the starting point for every conversation, every workshop, every moment of support.
It’s how we help people feel seen, heard, and truly valued.
When people feel safe, they show up fully.
Let’s talk!
Are You Showing All Your Abilities.
As we baby boomers reach the later stages of our working lives, it can sometimes feel as though the world is against us.
We tell ourselves, “I didn’t get that job because I’m too old, because I’m too experienced, because they fear I’ll take their job, because…” The list goes on.
At some point, we all must accept that we are ageing.
Yet we don’t have to accept that we didn’t get that job because we’re too old, too experienced, or too much of a threat.
Sometimes, it’s simply that the organisation is heading in a new direction, or perhaps looking for a fresh set of eyes.
Maybe, just maybe, they haven’t yet seen the flexibility and adaptability we bring.
So, what can we do to give ourselves every chance of landing that next role?
We can show them the diversity of our skills by sharing stories of how our experience has made us adaptable and resourceful.
We can talk about our ability to work with anyone, in any environment, and demonstrate that we’re open to new ideas and learning.
We can show that we’re not just keeping up with today’s world; we are actively contributing to it.
Our world is progressing faster than anyone ever imagined, and we must show that we are keeping pace with it.
That means highlighting the ways we’ve embraced technology, even if it’s just learning new tools or platforms that are relevant to our field.
It means sharing the courses we’ve taken, the certifications we’ve earned, or the webinars we’ve attended.
When we talk about how we have adapted to change or solved new challenges, we show that our problem-solving skills are as sharp as ever.
Mentoring is another strength we bring; our ability to coach and support others is a huge asset to any team.
And when we share stories of collaborating across generations, across ethnicities, across cultures, we remind employers that we know how to build bridges.
Above all, letting our passion for the role and the industry shine through can be the most compelling evidence of all that we are still very much relevant.
It may not be your age that’s holding you back. Sometimes, it’s simply about how you present your relevance and readiness for today’s challenges.
Keep learning. Keep growing. Keep relevant.
Let’s talk!