According to several studies, plants make the workplace calmer and a generally nicer place to be. The concluding statement of research carried out by the Australian nursery and garden industry reads: “This study shows that just one plant per work space can provide a very large lift to staff spirits, and so promote wellbeing and performance”.

The jury’s out on whether a messy desk is a sign of disorganisation and lower productivity or an indication of creativity. On the one hand we have Albert Einstein, who said: "If a cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind, of what, then, is an empty desk a sign?"

The Chinese curse “May you live in interesting times” seems to have settled heavily over the UK. At the moment I feel it would be nice to have a little gentle dullness and get on with our lives. This week we learned that the government proposes to ask for another Brexit extension. It’s not good news for the UK. Uncertainty is an economic killer and UK business owners and managers are desperate to have clarity and certainty.

You might think that there is no career downside to being intelligent. While it is certainly an asset, it isn’t everything. During my years in HR I have come across people who were undoubtedly very bright - but almost robotic.

This week we had International Happiness Day. I have no doubt that in these days of acute Brexhaustion more than one eyebrow was cynically raised at the concept. If you’re Brexed out (and who is not?) there is a realisztic (sic) answer and that is to listen to some music. So tune in to music by Brahms and Liszt but don’t get Brahms and Liszt (Cockney rhyming slang for “pissed”)!