One of the earliest influential management consultants argued that managers should supervise employees because workers “shall be so stupid and phlegmatic that he more nearly resembles an ox than any other type.” Regrettably, many managers continue that failing approach. When coworkers ask you for guidance, do you ask them questions? …
Difficult conversations are, well, difficult. I struggled with difficult conversations all my life. In my childhood, conflict was constant. I can’t remember a day that my ears didn’t ring because my parents were yelling at each other. When I got older, I became their target. So avoiding tough conversations became …
It’s essential to analyze how it will impact the company’s bottom line when a company is making a new hire, starting a new project, adopting a new software system, or pivoting to a new market. How do you know whether a project is worth the money and effort? How do …
We want the underdog to win because we want to see something unexpected. And it’s impossible to beat that feeling of winning a fight when all the odds are against us. It’s why stories like David and Goliath resonate. A victory feels much better when the odds are stacked against you. Scrappy …
Some days, motivating myself is tricky. No amount of inspirational posters or caffeine can inspire me over the slump. So how can we keep going on even when we don’t feel like it? Researchers have discovered strategies. They recommend setting intrinsically satisfying specific goals. Reward yourself in the right way …
Productivity is the key driver of our society’s wealth. Since 1950, our productivity has plummeted, while our rules have increased. Standards of living are doubled when productivity increases just three percent per year. When it increases by one percent per year, it takes three generations. Regrettably, the number of procedures, …
What’s your plan to not be busy? Can’t answer that? That’s why you’re so busy. “I can’t. I’m busy,” I said that way too often because I thought I was building a better future for my family. It also made me feel important because I was needed. But over the …
The changes the pandemic created will remain long after the pandemic is over. According to a recent study, most workers will work from home about 20% of the time. That is an increase of 400% from 2019. Employees said that working from home was a perk worth 7% of their paycheck. …
I was asked by a consultant what I thought about a guy that we will call Bill for anonymity’s sake. I told him that I struggled to trust Bill. The consultant was surprised. After all, Bill kept his commitments. He didn’t act deceitfully. I shared that Bill didn’t practice what …
I am a data geek. I love it because data is objective, free from individual influence. Two plus two is four. I can’t just tell you that it’s nine. You wouldn’t believe me. You’re no fool. But what if the numbers are right, but the analysis is wrong? When does …
