How do you approach the end of your workday – when your energy is low there’s not enough time to start a new project? Do you surf social media, aimlessly finger through things on your desk, or scroll through emails to which you don’t intend to reply. Well, Fast Company has suggestions for making […]
Read More →As companies scale up, it is easy to see how some employees can become disconnected from the customer. Focusing on the bottom line is important. Here’s one way to improve revenue, and so much more. Regularly remind everyone from the top down how their work connects with customers by allowing your customer service team to […]
Read More →Are you crystal clear about what you’d like to accomplish over the next month, six months or 2 years? If your goals are specific, congratulations! You’re ahead of the game, and you’re likely to achieve them. If your goals are more general, perhaps even vague, you’re less likely to make meaningful progress. When you’re specific, […]
Read More →Today’s leaders need a keen understanding of the people who report to them, and the unique obstacles they must overcome to be successful. Marion Anderson once said, “Leadership should be born out of the understanding of the needs of those who would be affected by it.” Her message provides clear encouragement to seek to understand […]
Read More → While it’s fairly common for people who are successful as an individual contributor to rise to levels that involve managing others, research conducted by Gallup says that about one in ten people possess the right talents to manage others. If you’re wondering who to promote into positions where they manage people, Gallup says you […]
Read More →Human nature can lead us down the path of emotional comfort. For example, Gallup says one of the biggest mistakes entrepreneurs make when they build their team is picking people who are too much like them. As a result, they surround themselves with a homogenous group. While homogeneity may reduce conflict, Gallup points to research […]
Read More → Are you starting an entrepreneurial venture? Have you already begun one? Or, do you work in a place where the entrepreneurial spirit thrives? If so, here are the 3 types of people Gallup says you need on your team. The Rainmaker. The aggressive, optimistic, risk-taker who is intensely motivated by sales and revenue. The […]
Read More →Weekly team meetings – those regular check-ins – are still standard practice; a common occurrence in many workplaces. To keep pace with changing times, some have morphed into conference calls. Often, the purpose and format of these meetings were established long ago. Out of habit, they remain on calendars. But should they? It’s always good […]
Read More →Increasingly, many of us have the flexibility of working from home. It has its benefits, and it can also wreak havoc on one’s ability to stay focused. Fast Company contributor Amanda Zantal-Wiener offers these 6 tips for staying on task when no one is present to hold you accountable. Maintain a routine. Start each day […]
Read More →Who is on your “go-to” list? Who are the people you reach out to for new projects, innovative suggestions, opinions or feedback? Is it always the same narrow group, or do you consciously work to expand and diversify the members of your personal think thank? To create an inclusive culture, it’s extremely important that you […]
Read More →In a candid conversation, a client shared his concern that he and others don’t ask the right questions when getting updates from direct reports. He said, “We ask yes/no questions that don’t encourage introspection. Questions like, ‘Is the project done?’ Or, ‘Do you have what you need?’” Instead, he suggested, and I agree, that we […]
Read More → If you’re in a high-tech field, you’re likely familiar with the term SCRUM. It refers to an iterative and incremental framework for managing product development. One philosophy that undergirds SCRUM is advancing progress by failing fast and fixing early. What might that look like? Well, if you’re working on a big, complex project, try […]
Read More → In her TED Talk, Margaret Heffernan tells the story of an evolutionary biologist at Purdue University, who housed a flock of competitive, super chickens together with the goal of increasing productivity. Six generations later, all but three of the birds had been pecked to death. Yet, the flock of average chickens managed to live together […]
Read More → Unplugging Is Not A Luxury, It’s A Business Necessity Whenever your weekend takes place, be it Saturday and Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday, etc., what’s most important is to use that time to rejuvenate. Here’s how James Reinhart, CEO of ThredUp.com, told Oprah.com he uses his weekend time. He stops spinning. Follow his example by […]
Read More →Study Says The Answer is Yes Do the people in your life know how good you feel about them? How proud you are of his performance? How optimistic you are about her future? How excited you are about their new venture? Or the fact that you admire her skill as a presenter, appreciate her can-do […]
Read More →Pledges and Commitments That Create Accountability Ever held a meeting where everyone seemed enthusiastic about the topic and next steps? But, soon after, it was back to business as usual? Here are two tips that may increase commitment and foster progress. After introducing the meeting’s purpose, objectives and agenda, ask participants to respond to this […]
Read More →In addition to meeting day-to-day goals, leaders are responsible for developing and communicating vision – the broader organization’s vision, as well as their department’s. Successful leaders revisit their vision often with staff and make sure their team can articulate the priorities that drive business results. If you’re in a leadership role, have you’ve taken the […]
Read More →We’re conditioned to believe that if we’re not actively engaged in doing something, we’re not using our time wisely. But being in constant motion doesn’t equal being productive. Sometimes taking time to stop and think is more valuable than pushing yourself to exhaustion. One of the great secrets of successful business people is their commitment […]
Read More →The higher you move up, the bigger your impact on larger numbers of people, significant business processes and, very likely, a higher percentage of the company’s bottom line. Your world becomes more complex, filled with responsibility. Yet, the transition from one rung to the next may leave you feeling overwhelmed and stressed. If that’s so, […]
Read More →Clients tell me that they share my videos and podcasts with their teams. One client says she starts her staff meetings off by playing one of my videos. She finds the messages helpful for aligning their focus, strengthening confidence and enhancing emotional intelligence. If you’re looking for tools to help your team grow professionally or […]
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