Efficiency and comfort can sometimes be at odds. This divergence is often exacerbated by new technology, particularly in the service industry. Combine the drive for efficiency with technology and customers’ feelings about service providers --... Continue reading
When employees are not shut down or demotivated by fear, they’re able to absorb input and recommendations, learn and grow, and stretch to meet larger goals and aims. How can leaders create safety and trusting... Continue reading
Many managers avoid giving critical feedback to subordinates or peers, and steer clear of criticizing their own managers. Despite the tremendous business relevance of candid feedback and the frequent requirement to provide it, any kind... Continue reading
Leading and developing an organizational culture really means leading and developing the people within it. Culture doesn’t change according to your directives while you’re sitting comfortably in your corner office. It’s not enough to espouse... Continue reading
No matter how senior, authoritative, or developmental a leader you are, you can’t manage your organization’s culture alone. You need everyone working together. And although you can discuss culture in detail in the boardroom, that’s... Continue reading
You won’t build or change an organization’s culture by talking about what it ought to be. Sure, from time to time, you’ll want -- and need -- to emphasize positive aspects of your culture (or... Continue reading
Like many people, I’m deeply outraged and upset about the recent grand jury decisions not to indict white police officers who killed unarmed black men. And like many others, my perceptions and concerns are shaped... Continue reading
It can be even tougher to accept feedback than it is to give it. It’s never easy to hear that your idea, behavior, or effort didn’t have the desired effect or wasn’t well received. When... Continue reading
When does self-service become a barrier rather than a boon? Back at JFK again recently, I returned to Due Amici, hungry for lunch. Now that I knew the drill for ordering off the iPad at... Continue reading
The real problem with feedback is that, regardless of how skillfully it’s given, people often don’t know what to do with it. Neuroimagery research by Richard Boyatzis at Case Western University suggests that focusing on... Continue reading
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