How a Little Humility Helps New Leaders Fit In
Most new hires at senior levels come in full of ideas, gumption, and, perhaps, a tacit assumption that things must not have been going perfectly before they were hired. They arrive believing they are going... Continue reading
6 More Ways to Help Your Team Learn to Problem-Solve
One of the major goals of every leader should be teaching team members to solve problems. Last week’s post, Isn't It Time to Stop Solving Your Team’s Problems for Them?, reviews the basics. Depending on... Continue reading
Isn’t It Time to Stop Solving Your Team’s Problems for Them?
If you care about developing the people on your team to be junior execs and eventually senior leaders, make sure they can manage the organizational, interpersonal, and market problems that will inevitably come their way... Continue reading
3 Disruptive Reasons That You Might Need to Fire a Customer
When a business has to fight for every sale, the idea of intentionally turning customers away seems like sacrilege. In fact, taking advantage of customers is such a common societal trope that there’s a plethora... Continue reading
Do You Know How to Handle the Challenges of Urgency?
Urgency in the workplace has crucial uses -- and some destructive misuses. Yes, urgency may be exactly what’s needed to confront an actual emergency, serious risk, or persistent negative circumstance. But too many managers and... Continue reading
How to Strengthen Your Credibility So Your Team and Colleagues Trust You Again
How do you demonstrate credibility with your team members, colleagues, and boss so that they’ll have confidence in you? The biggest chunk of credibility is keeping your commitments. It’s not enough to appear -- or... Continue reading
How to Do Better by Talking — and Listening — to Yourself
Self-improvement can seem like too much work if you don’t feel strong enough or you’re not quite sure you’re worth the investment. People in Western cultures often find it difficult to be kind to themselves.... Continue reading
How Service Apologies Backfire
If an apology is observably insincere, what’s the point? Politicians, celebrities, and athletes are often taken to task for pro forma or grudging apologies that don’t express true remorse, take responsibility, show recognition of the... Continue reading