Hilly Janes

make folders to store emails you want to retrieve with subject headings such as ‘reply later’, ‘action’ or ‘waiting’ (i.e. you have to wait for input from someone else to make your reply), ‘CVs’, ‘invitations’.

• Prioritize: group tasks into four categories: urgent and important, not urgent but important, urgent but not important, and neither urgent nor important. This will point to what needs doing first. If everything seems urgent and important, try to take on less and delegate more.

Argue with your partner or bite your tongue?

Star t by saying something positive, then deliver the bad news, and finish with a second positive comment – the bad news is sandwiched between positive feedback.

eople in groups care less about outcomes than those working alone, who know that they are entirely responsible for their results.