Change can happen faster than we expect. There will be unpredictability, uncertainty, and unknowns over the next decade, year, quarter, week, or this afternoon. We will encounter disruption and transformation. The changes to our demographics, climate, economies, and political systems will multiply and intersect. The time to repair the roof …
We went to the Ritz-Carlton for lunch after a stressful court hearing that resulted in a big win for our client. We were looking forward to having a nice steak lunch, but the managing partner was not happy about the table and demanded a change. “This isn’t the table my …
I made a no good, awful, terrible mistake at work. I was ashamed of myself. My job was in jeopardy. But when I told my boss about it, he didn’t fire me. Instead, he stood up for me, putting his own reputation on the line and defending me from criticism. …
“I can’t take any of my vacation days because there is too much work when I get back!” I’d often hear claims like that when I took over a team. At first, it seemed like these people must have a good work ethic. They wanted to get things done, and …
All of us struggle with stress at work. It is difficult to know how to handle those feelings, particularly when we are supposed to lead others. Does sharing your anxieties with your team undermine your reputation? Leaders all experience emotional turmoil. But they show that emotion in three distinct ways, …
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 …
