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Why this blog

My name is Arduino Mancini and this is my blog; it stems from the experience I gained over many years of working in organisations, initially as a manager and later as a Business & Executive Coach.

A blog that helps you work within complexity, not simplify it.

This is not a place for theories or easy solutions: you won’t find a collection of “how-to” guides.

My aim is not to offer you ready-made answers, but to present perspectives that will help you rethink what you might take for granted.

The articles are based on real-world experience, gained through working in complex organisational contexts, dealing with real-life decisions and supporting individual and team development journeys.

What you’ll find here

The contents I offer you do not simplify reality, but help you read it so that you can deal with it:

  • food for thought on tackling difficult situations and decisions;
  • insights into organisational dynamics and ideas for managing complexity;
  • common mistakes in managerial and professional contexts, and ways to address them;
  • practical approaches to leadership development and personal growth.

The blog is aimed at both those who lead people and those who wish to grow in their roles and build a solid professional foundation over time, addressing change and complexity.

Tools for your development

Alongside the articles, the blog provides practical tools for your work — coaching, training, books, films and eLearning courses — which are used as effective drivers, not merely as supplementary contents.

To stay in touch

If these topics are part of your work, you can explore them further with tibimail, my newsletter.
Subscribe to tibimail.

Read from you soon!

The answer is in the change equation

Why is it so hard to change?

2021 March 29 | by Arduino Mancini Change management - Motivation and needs

It happens pretty often that we want to generate a change in a problematic situation, and the reasons can be the most diverse, personal or professional. Changing jobs, buying a house, changing cars, quitting smoking, managing time differently, changing partners, changing business strategy, having a child, making a significant investment. The above are situations that […]

Maybe I wasn't such a good manager...

An upward delegation I’ve always found... irresistible!

2020 January 21 | by Arduino Mancini Delegation

Now, let me confess something. What you see in the cartoon is a type of upward delegation which I never managed to eliminate, as a manager. Why? When I needed to send out a letter signed by me, I couldn’t stop myself from reading it one last time. In some (very few) cases, just on principle. […]

Which works better, in your experience?

Pat on the back or kick in the butt?

2019 September 23 | by Arduino Mancini Reprimand Praise feedback

I want to add a few comments. Which works better, in your experience? A pat on the back or a kick in the butt? If I’ve tickled your interest, you can learn more in the e-learning course Improving staff performance. Enjoy!

My first presentation as a business manager

A reprimand I’d now accept without a word!

2019 September 17 | by Arduino Mancini Reprimand Praise feedback - Stories

This scene stems from my first presentation as a business manager: the names are irrelevant. Indeed, none of those who participated in that meeting is still with the organisation, as far as I know. The presentation took place one week after I’d been hired, and it was about a strategic decision that was to entail considerable […]

Why supervisors tend to refrain from praising?

Well done, you did a good job!

2019 September 10 | by Arduino Mancini Reprimand Praise feedback

How often have you heard that? The truth is that supervisors tend to refrain from praising, for two reasons. The first is that praising is complicated and can be damaging: better hold back. No action, no mistakes, right? The second reason is that for many managers their staff are invisible: they don’t notice the people or their […]

If you don't agree, please read this post!

Reprimanding? It’s easier than praising

2019 September 04 | by Arduino Mancini Reprimand Praise feedback

Changing people’s behaviour is an art. As we already know, the reprimand is used to change undesired behaviour. And as a loyal reader of my blog, you are undoubtedly familiar with both the constructive reprimand and the destructive reprimand. But what do you do when you want to reinforce a behaviour you wholeheartedly approve? I know, of […]

Want to learn how to use a motivating reprimand?

The gentle… reprimander!

2019 August 29 | by Arduino Mancini Reprimand Praise feedback

Who doesn’t remember a terrible reprimand for quite questionable reasons, received at some point in life by a ham-fisted boss? Not to mention how embarrassed we’ve felt when, having climbed up into the position of a boss and being fully entitled to reprimand ourselves, we’ve seen our ham-fisted reprimand meet with the astonished glance of […]

A difficult question

What are the links between complaining and working?

2019 August 22 | by Arduino Mancini Motivation and needs - Stories

My experience tells me that there is a clear correlation between the level of complaint and the level of commitment to work. The greater a person’s tendency to complain, the less they are committed to overcoming difficulties and – above all – the less they manage to develop an effective strategy to achieve objectives. In […]

Be careful...

Sometimes praise has a price

2019 August 15 | by Arduino Mancini Reprimand Praise feedback - Stories

Some time ago I was thinking about how dangerous praise can be: I’m sure you’ll find the following story quite instructive. Goods duly delivered. Enjoy your holiday. Excellent emergency management! Congratulations. Thank you. I hope you’ll remember that when you’re approving salary raises! These text messages exchanged were in a few minutes by a manager and […]

Why is reprimanding so important?

A key quality of a leader? Being good at reprimanding!

2019 August 08 | by Arduino Mancini Reprimand Praise feedback

Want a nice career? Want to be a leader? Then you need to learn to reprimand. How? There are different styles. There’s the shouted reprimand, the whispered one, which ends with a slow exhale from the nose (“remember that I have an infallible memory …”), the one that starts with good intentions (“I have to […]