As we return to our desks and stare at the blank 2004 diary we may well jot down a few New Year's resolutions in the empty page marked 'Notes' at the back. One entry might be: 'Stop believing a word the Government says about freedoms and flexibilities' though admittedly we tried that last year. Another could be: 'Must visit South Africa in January and Australia in February to recruit more social workers and teachers.' Yet another is: 'Be more attentive to the partner.' No, not that partner. I refer to the one at work, the private sector partner if you're public sector and vice versa. Because it seems to me both sides are still a long way apart, not necessarily in business terms but in the way they relate to and understand each other. Although there is much hype about working together the language is still mired in misunderstanding bordering on contempt. Often there is simply a basic lack of understanding about what motivates the other. Yet the skills of both sides must be harnessed if the power of well-being is ever to be fully engaged.
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