lead with character - it's better.
Ever notice that books about how managers can learn to give performance feedback focus on really difficult conversations first? It seems like a completely awful place to begin. Sort of like wanting to lose a few pounds and starting your training by being chased by a pack of wild dogs every morning to make sure you […]
3 Questions – How Good Are You at Giving Performance Feedback? Read More »
Here’s a question: how many of us consider wildly subjective factors when making management decisions? Things like justifying an employee’s odd behavior because his kid just left for college; or choosing one intern over another because his name is only one letter off from your favorite author’s and that seems like a nice coincidence; or
Mars in Retrograde & Other Workplace Issues Read More »
We all struggle with how to make our lives what we want them to be. Our goals, dreams, tasks, obligations, chores and aspirations all compete for our attention. Add the goals and needs of others – spouses, parents, children, friends, colleagues, etc. – and it is a miracle our brains can possibly organize our lives
Work/Life Balance is Bunk. Read More »
I recently witnessed the birth of a cynic. It was one of the saddest things I’ve ever seen. And as I watched it happen, I felt powerless to stop it. A smart, effective, loyal employee had endured several years of oppressive management at a job he liked and was now a working for new ownership
The Sad Value of Cynics Read More »
Anybody out there work with humans? My condolences. We can be just awful sometimes. We can be wonderful, too. Most of us try to be helpful, aware and dependable more often than not. But we also have times when all bets are off and we are impeding, distracted and emotionally unpredictable. The fact that we
The Trouble with Colleagues… 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 »
What’s bugging you? Is there a situation at work or elsewhere that is stuck in your mind? You know, the loop of an idea that gets wedged into your noggin and played on repeat. It’s likely something to figure-out or confront or resolve or explore, but, somehow, you haven’t talked about it. Sometimes not talking
Starting Good Conversations – Part 1 Read More »
I am an optimist. I would rather trust the potential I see in people and situations than be cautious of it. But, because my penchant for rose-colored glasses has bitten me in the backside more than once, I choose to call on my naturally curious brain to apply some skepticism when I feel most like
The Negative Side of Positivity Read More »
