lead with character - it's better.
Using the data of emotion. No one wants to deal with the guy who is prone to losing his temper and pounding his fists in meetings. We often avoid the gal who berates coworkers and subtly shames them in front of others. Our eyes quickly look at the floor if a colleague gets teary when […]
Irene’s Contribution to Management Theory Last week Hurricane Irene clobbered Vermont. Though she was officially a tropical storm by the time she made her way up the coast and into western New England, Irene dumped enough wind and water on the Green Mountains to turn a dozen towns into islands, wash homes and base lodges
Powerful Waves of Emotion in Vermont Read More »
Nope, this is not some weird mashup. This is what I realized I was doing while fighting a needless mental battle about the work tasks I resent. I, unlike Alice, strive to take the advice I give. Since my job is to help people become better communicators, it’s fairly vital that I do it well.
Alice in Wonderland is Raging Against the Machine. Read More »
A story about understanding the worth of your work The young woman walked toward my trade show booth as though a sharp stick was forcing her there. I said hello and watched her as she said, “Hi. Um, what do you do?” I told her about my work as management consultant and educator. I kept
The Value of the Blue Plate Special Read More »
In the US, we like people with independent spirits: people who want to blaze new trails, be masters their fate, and stake their claims. We like rugged individuals who are capable of rolling with the punches and figuring things out as they go, always ready with the self-confident knowledge that if there is a will
Asking Worker Bees to Wing It Read More »
I wrote this piece a year ago. I just had the same experience last week – different group, different profession, same problem. Last week I listened to a group of professionals talk about their work. They are all lawyers by training, but that’s not what they do for work. I was asked to give
Problems at work often focus on elemental descriptions: I’m completely buried; I’m blown-away; this project is on fire; we’re totally under water. That may be a sign that we enjoy communing with nature, but probably not. When I start hearing these phrases, it’s a signal that people need to stop, even for a minute, and
Earth, Wind & Fire Read More »
Follow Through Up to this point you have communicated clearly, set expectations and confirmed commitment. Now you’re ready for the last part: following through. This is the step that most people forget until something goes wrong. Everyone needs help on following through. How often have you meant to do something in a certain way or
Good Conversations – Part 4 Read More »
Getting Commitment: – If you don’t ask for it, you won’t get it You have now made your expectations clear. You have communicated clearly and everyone has the same information. Now you’re back in the day-to-day and you are wondering why people have not changed their behavior. Here’s my question to you: did they agree
Good Conversations – Part 3 Read More »
Setting Expectations One of the most common workplace complaints I hear is about employees who do not meet basic expectations. They are late, they behave in ways that are awkward or inconvenient for clients, they don’t keep things as clean as they should in their workspace… the list goes on and on. Here is my
Good Conversations – Part 2 Read More »
