Category: Leadership
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
A Surprising Example of Disruptive Skill
One morning, several months ago, on the train heading into New York City, I watched a woman put on her makeup. She had the process down to an art: reaching into the cosmetic bag on... Continue reading
Caution! Why You Need to Cut Down on the Risks of Precipitous Action
Years ago, I had a client who actually used to say, “Fire! Aim! Ready!” when he was issuing some decree or other. This business owner acknowledged he was shooting from the hip, reacting suddenly and... Continue reading
4 Powerful Steps on the Way to Cross-Functional Agreement
I had a call with an up-and-coming middle manager who presented a complex situation and then asked a sincere question. A small cross-functional working group was trying to resolve some interdepartmental workflow and boundary issues.... Continue reading