As managers, we must encourage feedback in two directions. It’s part of our job to ask for feedback from our direct reports. And even though we think we know our strengths and weaknesses; we are not likely to improve without knowing the experience of those who report to us. What …
Steve was presiding over the annual meeting of his organization’s executives. He had to inform them that their fundamental way of operating had to change. It would change every interaction at the company. He justified his decision by stating, “The model that has served us well will not serve us …
Susan couldn’t take it anymore. Every time she saw David, one of the senior executives at the retail chain where they both worked, he would launch into an unending rant about his job, the country, and personal life. It didn’t take long for her to feel frustrated. It didn’t help …
The workers are worn out. Only 32% of workers worldwide claim to be flourishing. It’s hardly surprising that many workers feel like they are on the verge of burnout given that 43 percent of respondents said they experience high levels of everyday stress. Some statistics show that as many as 61 percent of U.S. …
Figuring out what makes excellent judgment is an endless quest. There are six elements of effective judgment according to experts — learning, trust, experience, detachment, options, and delivery. LEARNING SKILLS: LISTEN CAREFULLY, READ OBJECTIVELYGood judgment converts learning into understanding. Many leaders make rash decisions because we don’t filter or critically …
The warning signs are clear: tasks that are finished at the last minute, late, or even lost. Meeting sluggishness. No responses to emails or responses at odd hours, like 2 a.m. And there’s a lot more explanation than action when describing why things aren’t done. You have a direct report …
Do you push your team to complete a task or do you pull them in, giving them a say in how they execute it and using motivation to get them started? These are two distinct methods of reaching a goal, and while pulling a team is often the best, knowing …
Companies often struggle to find their next-generation leaders. How do you figure out who has — or can acquire — the right strengths to tackle your team’s most challenging problems? In the face of such uncertainty, we tend to concentrate on what we know: we search for employees who met …
What does it mean to think like a manager? That subject receives little attention. We tell people don’t be managers, be great leaders. But separating management and leadership is risky. Leadership without management produces a disconnected approach that promotes arrogance, just as management without leadership encourages an uninspired style that …
I want him fired. How is it that understanding, kind, thoughtful, rational, collaborative people like you and me are provoked by the work performance of certain colleagues that our imaginations race with ways to get them out of our lives and work – in any way possible? We dream up …
