Category: Leadership
What to Do When Priorities Are in Conflict
Expand your market share. Increase your margin. Reorganize your team. Given the constant drumbeat of new and changing initiatives, it’s reasonable to wonder which priorities are truly the most important. I hear about this from... Continue reading
This Is How to Give Feedback and Not Make People Feel Stupid
“Oh, heavens,” I thought, “I’ve offended her!” I had wanted to be helpful and friendly, but instead I was confusing and possibly insulting -- I had given feedback as if the problem was with the... Continue reading
How to Counteract Two Hidden Problems of Developing Leaders
Clients often ask me to design or participate in their leadership development programs. These programs require significant investment and senior leaders view them as a way to groom and strengthen high-potential employees -- the ones... Continue reading
How to Improve Your Team’s Performance with Questions
A media director asked me for a simple, straightforward approach to developing his very new team’s knowledge and proficiency. He explained that he has no time or budget for formal training or workshops. My strong... Continue reading
Sorry, But Leaders Aren’t Entitled to Be Opinionated
“But I’m entitled to my opinion!” a vice president insisted. I was facilitating a work session with a client’s leadership team. Our goal was to resolve a longstanding business problem, with the full participation of... Continue reading
This Is How to Lead from the Ground Up
Leadership can be a function of raw power, or of influence. Based on analysis of a current news item, here are seven underlying principles that, when applied properly and consistently, ought to make any leadership... Continue reading
Accountability: Be Careful What You Wish For
“Why is no one ever held accountable here?” A vice president was fuming at me, and not for the first time. “Why do we always act like everything’s fine instead of holding people accountable?” I’ve... Continue reading
Want More Engaged Employees? Help Your Leaders Improve
Do an online search for “employee engagement” and you’ll get 10.6 million hits. Search for “employee attrition” and you’ll come up with 1.38 million hits. The old line is that employees don’t leave companies, they... Continue reading