I loved the adventures of The Secret Seven as a child: a small troupe solving mysteries together, often on their bicycles. Their exploits inspired my career in foreign lands and interest in understanding what makes a great team.

Following a corporate career in human resource management and organisational change working within travel, technology, government, financial services, mining, education and health sectors, I am now an entrepreneur where I write and speak to inspire others.

Always curious, I’ve collected a few qualifications including an MBA and MBus (Research). In 2016, I completed my doctoral thesis at the Queensland University of Technology, investigating how work environments influence creative behaviours and employee engagement.

I love listening to people with diverse life stories and sharing what I know at conferences and through the occasional blog on LinkedIn.

My friends say that I am imaginative and tenacious, although my husband would hasten to add 'untidy'.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Advance Praise for Engagement Whisperer

Dr Stanley’s book is a valuable resource for managers in large organisations as it reveals the characteristics that most engage people and provides practical advice on how we can create the conditions to bring out the best in our employees.

Dr Monique Beedles, Managing Director, Teak Yew

* * *

Tracy cleverly brings together the essential dos and don’ts for creating engaging workplaces.

A must read for managers who want to get the best out of their teams – and themselves!

Huibert Evekink, CEO Futureteaming and Author

Feedback First: Boosting Organisational Performance Through CLEAR+CALM Communication

* * *

There are lots of gems to be found in “Engagement Whisperer”. If all managers followed the advice given in each of the easy to read chapters, the corporate world would be a lot happier and more satisfying place for everyone.

Engagement Whisperer is a ‘must’ read for anyone who manages people. It’s conversational easy-to-read style delivers some fundamental messages for valuing staff and bringing our their best. The practical lists of actions to do and to avoid at the end of each chapter are great ‘take home’ (or rather ‘take to work’) messages.

Cathy Turner, Business Analyst, Australian Government Agency

* * *

This is an enjoyable and thoughtful book on a difficult topic that is forever present in an organisation. The layout and structure makes it very accessible and it will help the reader reflect on their own experiences while identifying areas where they can take steps to enhance the engagement of their team.

Michael Connell, Executive General Manager Southern Region, Silver Chef

* * *

This thoughtful and practical book dispels the myths that ‘engagement’ happens because of glitzy, once a year initiatives. It’s a relief for those who can’t offer curated workspaces complete with pin pong tables, free lattes and bean bags adorning the ubiquitous ‘chill out zones’ where the magic happens!

Tracy’s work shows that real and sustained engagement comes from a more thoughtful and human centred place: a place where respect, trust, fairness and personal growth sit at the core. Engagement is now demystified and accessible to all. It should come with a product warning: Putting these changes into practice may bring you under the spotlight. Expect to be asked for your recipe for team success - or leave your peers secretly wondering if there is something in the water!

Wendy Lundgaard, Principal Consultant/CEO of Win-Win Workplace Strategies

I'm a recently retired corporate citizen and haphazard blogger. I was, as Groucho Marx said, born at an early age, in London (England). My parents moved to the Kent coast when I was seven. I caught up with them a year or so later.

My school days were unremarkable. The only subjects I had any affinity with were English and Geography. I think this stemmed from my parents, who both spoke English, often at the same time, moving house every few years when my father sought out places, in various windswept parts of Britain, he could "fix up". Despite our protestations, the family usually went with him.

I recently discovered that due to a quirk of fate, my loving mother and father had not, as planned, emigrated to Australia before I was born. It took me some years to come to terms with this glaring error of judgement on their part. Some days I think I still haven't.

My first book, My Brother's Bicycle tells the story of a, mostly unsuccessful, attempt to re-live a bike trip I embarked on with a friend when I was in my twenties.