Here’s How to Work with Micromanagers to Help Them Get Better Results
Some managers who’ve risen through the ranks become overly controlling once they begin to exercise authority. They squelch subordinates’ ability to take risks, develop, and contribute, both individually and collectively. Here are two examples I’ve... Continue reading
7 Surprisingly Simple Secrets to Managing Millennials
Many of my clients have expressed confusion and frustration about the challenges of working with Millennials, including their tendency to expect everything to be easy and straightforward; their need to be “spoon fed” and treated... Continue reading
How Can I Help You If I’m Not Listening to You?
“Andy, you’re not listening to me, bro!” This conversation was delivered in a very tense tone by a fellow with a very tense face. There’s a mortgage brokerage on my floor, and sometimes, when the... Continue reading
When You Have to Deal with the Painful Responsibility of Staff Failure
I just got a call from a senior leader: A community outreach staffer was causing his management team some consternation. When he was hired 18 months ago, he’d approached every job with zest, volunteered for... Continue reading
What Happens When We Misread Cues and Get Things Wrong
We like to think we understand what’s going on. But sometimes we get things completely wrong. Take a look at this very short video about how, even with the best of intentions, our attempts to... Continue reading
How to Improve Customer Loyalty by Supporting Your Frontline
“It’s not my fault!” the assistant practically wailed. “She never gave me the paperwork!” The poor woman was almost begging me not to be angry at her, and to put the blame in its rightful... Continue reading
10 Unexpected Lessons: Launching My New Website
As a professional, get-things-done type, I pictured my rebranding and website relaunch project like this: plan the project, hire and supervise providers, deal with occasional setbacks, and be generally pleased with the result four to... Continue reading
Some Direct Advice on How to Make an Effective Case to Senior Leaders
I just heard from a middle manager who vented about her senior leaders’ lack of response after she made them aware of certain problems. She wondered if there were better ways to explain challenging circumstances... Continue reading