Tag: management
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 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
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