How much of any job, at any level, in any industry, relies on the work of others?

100%? 80%? 50%? Some other number?

There is no exact number. But one number it is not, is zero.

We (still) work with other humans.

What all of this means is that no one can be both good at their job and hard to work with. A key part of our job— no matter our role, level or industry—is to work productively with other humans.

In the 8 years I’ve been a partner to organizations I’ve worked with hundreds of clients. I’m also part of communities of other people who do this work, and between us we’ve worked with tens of thousands of people.

What is the one complaint that every single one of us has heard from every single one of our clients at some point, regardless of their role, level or industry?

People.

At some point everyone, and I mean everyone, complains about the people they have to work with.

Work would be easy…if it weren’t for other people, right?

So that’s what this newsletter is all about: how to make relationships at work easier and better.

So that work and life is easier and better.

And it’s for everyone. Those just starting out. To those at the top. And every level in between.

Because at the end of the day, regardless of our title or role, we are working with other humans.

Free subscribers get a monthly thought piece on some aspect of working better with other humans. These come from the experiences of my clients, what I see and hear in the organizations I’m working with, the research and what I’ve learned from experience, training and others wiser than me.

Paying subscribers can get even more ideas and support with access to monthly live office hours (where you can ask me anything and get spot executive coaching) and downloadable resource guides. These are practical tools, worksheets, and self-coaching prompts to go beyond just ideas, to application.

So, who’s Sue Mann? (i.e. me!)

Diplomat. Wall Street banker. Management Consultant. Finance. Energy. Utilities. Mother. Wife. South African. American.

I’ve been and done a few different things over the decades.

Along the way, the #1 thing I learned (the hard way) is: it’s people skills more than technical skills that make for career success, happier and more productive workplaces, and happier lives.

They say experience is the best teacher. But the price of tuition is cheaper if you can get it second hand. So that’s my mission: buy down the price of tuition for you.

Want to know more about me? Cliffnotes of my story are ​here​. Or the extended version is in my novel, ​On the Road to Jericho​. Or, here’s my professional 1-page bio.

“We settled our legal process yesterday. Sue was a key person to the leadership team and the company as a whole through this process. Sue stood with us and gave us skills at a critical time when we needed them.” Managing Partner, Consulting Firm

“Sue’s coaching is graceful and fluid. Her comfort with silence, her spaciousness,  and her artful, powerful presence were truly a gift. I could be open, vulnerable and very truthful. With Sue I was able to work through significant blocks and struggles.” Maureen Caley-Verdonk

“From her very first message to me Sue lived her “compassion first philosophy”. It is what drew me to her.” Cameron Crone