Productivity plays a huge part in any business, especially in an office environment. In an ideal world, everybody would work together to ensure that hard work abounds and procrastination knows its place. Unfortunately, we do not live in an ideal world. When productivity slacks, it’s up to management to ensure that everybody stays motivated and do the tasks they are responsible for. Here are some tips to create the ideal work environment and keep employees productive. … [Read more...]
Leadership? You? Isn't that just for the top of the 'food chain'? You just want an entry-level job, a promotion to the next rung, or to simply keep your job in tight times, right? In today's corporate world, you think to yourself, you'll be lucky to get to a leadership position in the next five years. Wrong! If leadership is not the most overused and misunderstood word, then it certainly ranks in the top ten in today's corporate corridors. It's time to set the record straight. In my book, The … [Read more...]
I've been fortunate to have a few wonderful bosses over the course of my career. Not just decent, not just good, but truly exceptional people. I've also been fortunate that the number of truly terrible managers has been very low. The truly exceptional ones have treated me with honesty and respect, supported me in tough times, cared about me as a unique individual, and given me challenging and valuable work. These are the kind of people I want to stay in touch with, just because they're … [Read more...]
It’s my opinion that today’s “best” practices of leaders not only fail to resolve the problems they’re meant to resolve or achieve the results they’re meant to achieve, they actually escalate problems. I’d like to recommend alternative practices to take their place. After all, reality has shifted and those who cling to old practices that no longer serve them and perhaps never did, will fail to thrive. Seriously. Fail to thrive. … [Read more...]
It’s my opinion that today’s “best” practices of leaders not only fail to resolve the problems they’re meant to resolve or achieve the results they’re meant to achieve, they actually escalate problems. I’d like to recommend alternative practices to take their place. After all, reality has shifted and those who cling to old practices that no longer serve them and perhaps never did, will fail to thrive. Seriously. Fail to thrive. … [Read more...]
It’s my opinion that today’s “best” practices of leaders not only fail to resolve the problems they’re meant to resolve or achieve the results they’re meant to achieve, they actually escalate problems. I’d like to recommend alternative practices to take their place. After all, reality has shifted and those who cling to old practices that no longer serve them and perhaps never did, will fail to thrive. Seriously. Fail to thrive. … [Read more...]
Motorola, the company that launched the cell phone industry and stood among the world's most admired companies for decades, is now struggling to survive. How did that happen? Apparently the company missed, underestimated, or ignored a fundamental shift in the industry away from feature-rich cell phones like the Razr, Motorola's last new product hit in 2004, toward more sophisticated smart phones like the iPhone. A lack of effective leadership and clear vision in Motorola's handset business over … [Read more...]
According to leadership experts Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, and Al Switzler, "Crucial Conversations" are those tough, day-to-day interactions in which the stakes are high, people have conflicting views, and emotions run strong. The surprising thing about these conversations is that they often occur when least expected whether in the boardroom or by the water cooler. Mastering them can transform businesses and careers, strengthen teams, increase productivity, and boost the … [Read more...]
Last week, I had the chance to attend a fabulous meeting with a couple of speakers from Deloitte’s Women’s Network. One of the topics up for discussion was the concept of assembling a diverse group of people we can turn to and rely on for feedback. This isn’t a revolutionary concept, of course, but it really got me thinking about whether or not I’ve let my network get too insular. Too comfortable. I thought back on the last three people I’ve spoken to for feedback, and not … [Read more...]
“Accountability breeds response-ability,” according to author and productivity guru, Stephen R. Covey. Yet, one of the most prevalent and dangerous accountability shifting techniques still in place with business today is what’s been coined as “The Blame Game.” … [Read more...]
