Workplace Wisdom Blog - Page 63 of 72 - Liz Kislik

Don’t Be a Leader Who Makes People Powerless

If you manage others, you may find it hard to believe that your subordinates aren’t comfortable engaging with you about the work and the workplace. But don’t assume it’s because they’re apathetic or weak. Leading... Continue reading

When, Where, and How to Give Your Boss Feedback

How do you get someone to hear you when it’s not their tendency to listen? If you want to speak candidly with management, give yourself the best chance of having an impact by choosing timing... Continue reading

Give Your Boss the Benefit of the Doubt

We’ve all been there: We’ve worked for managers who don’t listen or don’t understand, who are unfailingly critical, ignorant, or worse. So where can you begin if you’re trying to make a case for yourself,... Continue reading

Can You Help Your Leader Handle the Truth?

No matter how much I read (and write) about employee engagement and good management practices, it still amazes me how seldom employees share effective critical feedback with their management. This is not the usual whining,... Continue reading

Making Extraordinary Service Look Easy

I’m not a fan of inter-organizational benchmarking: It’s almost impossible to replicate someone else’s successes when you don’t have their operating model, or to replicate their practices or techniques when you don’t have their culture... Continue reading

Should There Be a Way to Standarde Exceptions?

I’ve been ordering a new drink at Starbucks lately. I’ve had this drink at one airport, one hotel, one highway rest stop, on two coasts, in three states, and at a number of local stores.... Continue reading

Feedback Resistance

Nobody enjoys being critiqued, corrected, or criticized. It’s hard to hear that we’re not good enough, or that we’re not okay just the way we are. It’s hard even when we’ve asked for the feedback... Continue reading

What Your Customer Can’t (and Shouldn’t Have to) Do For You

It is not your customer’s job to… …make you feel good or comfortable or safe, …know the constraints you labor under, …understand what you wish they would say or do, …figure out your business model,... Continue reading

Piercing Questions about a Successful Manager

Daughter had been asking to have her ears pierced for as long as, well, for as long as she knew what it meant. So we went to the mall. To the accessories and jewelry store,... Continue reading

When “No” is Preferable to “Maybe”

Sometimes, instead of pushing for a yes, it’s better to get the message that there’s no way, no how, no hope, no need, no budget, no possibility, not now, probably not ever, we just don’t... Continue reading

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