If you’re in a leadership role, you’re likely juggling two very important responsibilities — being accessible to your people, and generating the strategies and ideas for moving the organization forward. Harvard Business Review Contributor Maura Thomas has recommendations for doing both effectively. Here are two. Mentor in hindsight. In keeping with the rules of adult […]
Read More → If you’re a manager, you’ve probably experienced yourself switching between the roles of visionary leader and hands-on manager. Yet, the role of leader and manager are different. Each requires a particular mindset and set of competencies. Here are examples of when you should wear your manager hat. When dealing with day-to-day tactical, transactional tasks […]
Read More →Switching back and forth between hands-on manager and visionary leader is something many are required to do, especially at the top. Different situations require different roles. Figuring out which competencies to call on at what time can be confusing. Here are some examples of scenarios that call for putting on your leader hat. When setting […]
Read More →Have you heard the saying “good news travels fast?” Well, bad information travels even faster. The rumor mill can quickly take control of your message and cost you hours in damage control and lost productivity. To complicate matters, what is appropriate communication to one can be bad news to others. For example, simply announcing the […]
Read More →Wishing someone at work would say, “I noticed what you did. Thank You. Good job!” Such needs are real and are borne out of frustration and benign neglect. We look up to leadership, expecting them to validate our presence and good performance. We hope team members we’ve helped or whose mistakes we corrected would say, […]
Read More → We’ve all experienced that customer service person who lacks the power to address our problem. If you insist on speaking to the manager, you may be punished with the reciting of policy, more waiting, or being forced to re-explain your issue. Recently, Forbes.com shared how some companies are building loyalty by empowering their customer-facing […]
Read More → If your company values collaboration over independence, Fast Company recommends that hiring managers ask the following questions to find the people who are the best fit for your collaborative culture. Tell me about a time you worked with a team. What was your approach to collaborating with your teammates? What role did you play […]
Read More → If your company boasts an entrepreneurial culture, Fast Company offers these tips to help you find people who will best fit in. To assess a candidate’s ability to work in an independent environment, ask questions like: Tell me about a project you planned and executed with little or no supervision. What approach did you […]
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 →When hiring, know what your company culture is and, if it’s changing, what you want it to become. Fast Company has identified three different company cultures and a structured method for hiring those who best fit. The independent entrepreneurial culture is best for people who are resourceful and thrive on autonomy. The collaborative culture is […]
Read More →As companies step up their sexual harassment training, it’s important to make sure it’s effective and relevant. The Society of HR Management reported that when Portland State University’s VP of HR noticed his all-male audience wasn’t paying attention during a training, he gave them an assignment. Each man was to ask one woman in his […]
Read More →Can working for someone you consider a bad manager damage your health? A recent Gallup blog post, characterizes having a bad manager as a one-two punch. You feel miserable at work, and as a result you feel miserable at home. This compounds stress and harms overall well-being. When employees are unhappy and unhealthy, absenteeism, performance, […]
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 →The leaders in the room were Baby Boomers and members of Generation X. The panelists were Millennials. I was their facilitator for a candid conversation. Here’s how the panelists answered questions about how they want to be managed. The Millennials said they want feedback – clear, honest communication about what they’re doing that’s working well […]
Read More →During a recent panel discussion where Millennials shared their views with one company’s leaders, they expressed their desire for work-life balance and continuous learning and growth. The group told a room of Baby Boomers and GenXers that if they’re not growing and developing, they are more likely to leave. Doing the same thing every day […]
Read More →Recently, I facilitated a panel discussion among a group of Millennials who shared their perspective with the company’s leadership. The leaders — all of whom were Baby Boomers and members of Generation X – wanted a better understanding of the Millennials in their workforce. As part of this open and honest forum, the Millennial panelists […]
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 → We’ve all encountered people who are quick to say “No” to suggestions or new ideas. Before any apparent consideration occurs, they instantly shoot down most, if not all people, who come to them with their ideas. Here’s what I recommend if you have a person like that in your life. Ask your question and […]
Read More →A direct report walks up to you and asks, “Can we talk?” She describes a problem she’s having. What’s your reflex response? Do you immediately launch into offering a solution? If so, you just robbed an eager employee of a chance to exercise her own problem-solving muscles. Instead of immediately focusing on resolving problems, listen […]
Read More →There’s No US vs. THEM Recently, I facilitated an all-hands meeting where participants talked about state of the business. I repeatedly heard comments like, “The company” doesn’t promote from within. “The company” is risk averse. “The company’s” merit and bonus programs are unfair. It’s hard to know who to trust in “this company.” After allowing […]
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