Wendy was in tears. She was exhausted and completely demoralized.Always a straight- A student, Wendy was feeling the pangs of failure. On this new project team, she felt undervalued and overlooked. The team operated as though she were invisible. They’d discuss things and make decisions without her. As we continued our coaching session, Wendy confided in … Read more
96% of executives cite lack of collaboration or ineffective communication as the main source of workplace failures. Why are collaboration and effective communication so vital? It’s because these skills are precisely what’s needed to navigate a volatile work world of speed and constant change. People who have these qualities are better equipped to solve complex … Read more
It was rather refreshing to hear from someone who seemed competent, for a change. 14 short words. That’s all it took to rile me up. I read the email again. Damn.Roy, a member of the Search Committee seeking a new Executive Director (ED) for a local Nonprofit, had just added his two cents to a … Read more
What do the best leaders do that the rest of us don’t? I discovered the answer to that question for one top leader this past Tuesday. I was in the executive conference room at the headquarters of a large food-service company. With me, scattered around the gigantic table, were four of their 100 District Managers, … Read more
What was the best thing about 2015? I posed this very question twelve times, on twelve days, to twelve senior executives over the past two months. Now this was no casual, offhand question. I was speaking with these executives on a ballroom stage, in front of an invited audience of 300 of their company’s mid-level … Read more
Every leader (and organization) has its strengths. Where do the strengths serve well? Where do they incur costs? I led the following awareness-building exercise with a team of leaders at a manufacturing organization. You can try it with alone, or with your team. Leadership Quality Awareness Exercise Think back on all the leaders you’ve ever … Read more
Why are these kids smiling? I should know–they’re my kids. Alexander and Miranda posed for this photo last Wednesday, right before they got on their bikes to ride off to the first day of school.They were really excited. Usually a request for their picture provokes eye rolls and mad faces. Not on Wednesday. … Read more
Marketing Author Seth Godin has defined a brand as: The set of expectations, memories, stories and relationships that, taken together, account for a consumer’s decision to choose one product or service over another. If someone chooses to work with you instead of choosing someone else, that choice represents the power of your personal brand: your reputation. … Read more
People don’t naturally embrace change, and for good reason: Change = Uncertainty = Fear People are used to the familiar. There’s a reason they call it “The Comfort Zone”. When you start forcing people away from the familiar, they can have a range of potential responses. Their reactions are influenced by your skill in leading … Read more
Do you have a blank wall somewhere at your office? Consider trying out this idea: Transform the blank wall into a Wall of Appreciation. It’s fairly common knowledge that being appreciated at work impacts a host of factors: retention, engagement, productivity and customer satisfaction. A few research examples: “The number-one reason most Americans leave their jobs is that … Read more
