It can be extraordinarily frustrating when a leader introduces or supports an initiative and sponsors crucial discussions only to see the necessary change fade away. But whenever you have more than a handful of people... Continue reading
“They never tell us anything. We’re always the last to know.” So many employees feel this way so much of the time. They see something that they don’t understand, something that doesn’t fit with what... Continue reading
Some work teams have trouble bringing matters to an actual decision. They’re often unaware of how their own inconsistent processes reduce their chances of coming to agreements that everyone can live with. You can make... Continue reading
My office is on the fifth floor of a five-floor building and, although I take the elevator up, I usually take the stairs down. Every so often, I find someone from another office standing somewhere... Continue reading
Team development never ends -- not if you want a well-functioning, effective team. Sometimes when a team has recently averted a crisis or resolved a significant problem, they exclaim in a kind of relief: “We... Continue reading
It’s always risky for employees when managers are “too nice” and don’t give clear feedback about expectations, preferences, or necessary improvements. In effect, these managers stand by as employees go off the track rather than... Continue reading
If you want good work, and even more good work, from employees, it helps to let them know what good work looks like, and to praise them when you see them delivering it. For most... Continue reading
Why are we so tolerant of certain kinds of unsuccessful behaviors in children, but not in adults? When a child stumbles and falls while learning to walk, no one says, “Don’t fall down, you bad... Continue reading
Let’s say your team feels deeply connected to you, and all team members are committed to the same things you’re committed to. Your team feels comfortable enough with you to express any disagreement they have... Continue reading
Most people want to know where and low they fit into the various groups they’re affiliated with -- and they really want to know where and how they’re supposed to fit in at work. They... Continue reading
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