The Whiteboard

Shape of a Coward

My wife started talking to me about "people pleasing" the other morning. Apparently, ignoring my recommendations, they were talking about "people pleasers" on a podcast that she listens to. She was making the point that true "people pleasing" comes from a place of gutter-low self-esteem. Wanting to please people is…

Sean WaltersSeptember 18, 2026

Human Resources Recruitment Work

Christmas is a confidence game (and I’m all in)

Regular readers may assume that I hate this time of year. The commercialism. The inability to get a seat or pie at Vultures unless you queue. The d*ckheads in Santa hats and Hawaiian shirts. The obligation to talk to (and even spend time with) distant relatives, neighbours you hate, and…

Sean WaltersDecember 19, 2025

Employment Human Resources Recruitment

On the record about “off the record”

I don't know how I feel about "off the record" references. This is rare for me. Usually, I pick a side, swing for the fences, and die on that hill. Often publicly via this blog. In the most part, I loathe them. I think they're cowardly, shady, and borderline defamatory.…

Sean WaltersSeptember 26, 2025

Recruitment

RCSA Awards 2025 – and the winners are…

Last week's blog was probably the most read in The Whiteboard's 16 year history. This would suggest that you all love wallowing in your own and each other's misery more than you do hearing good news. To prove this theory, here's a blog celebrating success* (*if winning awards equates to…

Sean WaltersJune 13, 2025

Employment Human Resources Job Boards Recruitment Work

2024: A Year.

I've asked a few recruiters of late how 2024 has been for them, and comments have ranged from "worse than the GFC" to "f*ckin' sh*te mate". Thankfully, it is all but over. SEEK were kind enough to buy me a few beers and some lovely socks this week, and overall…

Sean WaltersDecember 20, 2024

Human Resources Politics Recruitment Work

Merry Christmas. Please??

It's currently 8.19am on Friday 22nd December. I'm sitting alone in my office and have just poured myself a big glass of port. Many regular readers may assume that drinking fortified wine pre-9am was a regular occurrence for me on a blog day. Rest assured, it is not. Very rarely…

Sean WaltersDecember 22, 2023

Employment Human Resources Politics

The misogyny of “dress codes”

If you're due a minor medical procedure, get it done now. Good advice at any time perhaps, but especially relevant given that Te Whatu Ora is currently in consultation with the healthcare professionals of New Zealand, in an attempt to standardise employment contracts across Aotearoa. And if you know anything…

Sean WaltersAugust 18, 2023

Employment Recruitment

Now is NOT the time to be a lazy Recruiter

Speaking with an agency client recently, they told me a story which even I found surprising. This was not a story about exceptional service, $2 million dollar billings, or a Recruiter with no ego - all of which I would have found mildly interesting. Instead it was about the new…

Sean WaltersMarch 10, 2023

Employment Recruitment

Christmas just ain’t the same anymore. Thankfully.

7 years ago, I wouldn't be writing this. Although we are religious in pumping a blog out every Friday, and have been for 12 years, should a Friday coincide with the last day of the year, we'd put up some mildly comedic photoshopped image and be done with it. Writing…

Sean WaltersDecember 23, 2022

Recruitment

Candidate Delusion Calculator

I stumbled across something from the desk of a jilted insecure American man this week but, does he have a point? 🤔

Scott BurnettNovember 18, 2022