A number of years ago a mentor of mine said something really important to me. He told me that there is often one thing that stands between me and the kind of relationships I really want to have. When I asked what that was, he said, “It’s usually a ten-minute, sweaty-palmed conversation that...
Many people struggle with giving and receiving compliments. That’s a shame. High-performance teams are superb at this skill, and praise can make a big difference in motivation. What’s wrong with this exchange? Sam: “Amy, you did a great job on that rush project last week.” Amy (looking away and...
Tracking your team’s computer usage offers valuable insights on where there could be room for improvement. But be mindful of privacy issues and micromanagement risks. As work habits evolve, some managers are opting to monitor employee computer activity and the movement of company data. In fact,...
Decision-making is one of the most important things leaders do. We expect leaders to be decisive. We expect them to make good decisions. Unfortunately, most of the writing on decision-making and a whole lot of practice is oversimplistic, with “bias for action” replacing good sense. There are...
These days, we’re under a lot of pressure to move quickly. Things are changing rapidly, so it’s tempting to jump on the fast track. Or try for a quick fix. Facebook’s motto from a few years ago captured it well: “Move fast and break things.” In today’s culture, people expect quick results. We live...
Rethinking talent recruitment post-“Great Resignation.” The Great Resignation, where millions of people quit their jobs to seek out different opportunities, suddenly caused the job search and recruiting process to become an employee marketplace. Although a challenging time to find talent, as a...
Things which matter most must never be at the mercy of things which matter least.Johann Wolfgang von Goethe These days it feels like the world is dead-set against our having focus. We’re bombarded with digital distractions. There are near-constant requests for our attention, many driven by...
Business writing can be successful if the employee establishes a personal connection with the reader. However, whether it’s a report for management or an email to a customer, writing better business documents gets the job done swiftly and efficiently. You don’t have to sound stuffy; go for a tone...
I have been feeling very prolific lately. I’m writing this during Thanksgiving break (November 2021) and am not yet sure when it will publish. Articles are written through May, with additional ones framed out through July. When flow hits, the best thing is to ride it like a wave. For creatives, we...
The sky has finally fallen. Always knew it would.– Eeyore, from Winnie the Pooh Things have been tough lately. Pandemic. Inflation. War. Many are suffering mightily. Maybe you’ve been suffering too. But are you complicit in your own suffering? Are you making things, as tough as they may be...
Increasing productivity and focus is something most professionals strive for. But while there are different tricks and tips for being more productive and focused on your work, the tips don’t always work for every person. The key is to find advice that works for you and your lifestyle. Here,...
Avoidance. We all do it, whether it’s keeping away from someone or not doing something. What are you avoiding? Sometimes we change the subject when it drifts into awkward territory. Other times we talk around hard topics. Or we put off that tough task. Avoidance is a coping mechanism. Sometimes...