It’s so clear what you want your employees to do! Yet for some reason it’s not happening as you envisioned. Maddening, right? If you’re like me your mind leans to: Frustration – why don’t they get it? Suspicion - are they intentionally undermining? Retaliation – what’s the punishment if they don’t kick it into [...]
Did you know your GPS requires four satellites to determine your 3-D position on earth? One perspective is insufficient. Two is still not enough. Three will tell you where you are, but not in 3-D. To get the truest, most reliable read on where you are you need multiple viewpoints! And so it is [...]
It’s fair to say most bosses have a dominant personality style. They’ve gotten where they are through force of will, competence, boldness, and drive. They’re usually fast paced, action oriented, and have little time to spare. Intimidating? You bet! Especially if you’re younger, new to the organization, or have a milder personality type. So, [...]
Technology, systems, and processes are all important. But what really drives your business? People. Managers, executives, interns, volunteers. Whatever role they fill they’re all people. And people get work done through relationships…with co-workers, managers, employees, team members, vendors, and customers. Business goes well when they communicate effectively. When they support one another in the [...]
You’ve probably heard it many times: Millennials are now the largest share of the US workforce. In fact, one in three workers are Millennials. While the focus of the last decade has been on understanding and managing Millennials, we’re beginning to see an important shift. As thousands of Baby Boomers retire each day the [...]
Development initiatives, learning opportunities, coaching … if it’s for mid-level managers most of the time I hear them say, “upper management needs to be here! Why aren’t they doing this, too?” And you know what? They’re right! Why? Because leaders go first. Because what’s good for the goose is good for the gander. Because [...]
What process does your organization use for selecting or promoting people? How do you equip leaders for their roles? And how do you evaluate their performance? Here’s the approach I see too often: Scatter shot! Most organizations don’t have competency models. Many hire and promote without using psychometric assessments, even for their leaders. Well-meaning [...]
One of the vexing questions for companies (especially in the small to mid-size category) is about investing in new managers – and how it benefits you. The questions that lurk under the surface are usually along these lines: How can we know if investing in new managers is worthwhile? What if we just let [...]
It’s no secret that managers are key to a high performing organization. And yet the rate of failure is stunning. Research shows 75% of employees in the U.S. feel their direct manager is the worst part of their job. And 65% would rather have a new boss than a pay raise. Wow! So how [...]
Does summertime make you want to dig your toes into the sand and your mind into a good book? Many of us crank up our reading in the summer for pure enjoyment. How about sprinkling in some books to enhance your development as a manager? Sometimes the perspective of a good author is just [...]
