We have a special guest on the blog today. Author, speaker, and social media leader Ted Coiné, Catalyst from Ted Coiné, has written a terrific article that we'd like to share with you. Please Move My Cheese (…Well, Maybe) By Ted Coiné Want to suck the motivation out of your people? Move the goalposts on them. Change the rules mid-game enough times and I promise, even the most obstinately-positive of your employees will learn to give up. Have you read Spencer...
Liz’s Leadership Insights Blog
Encourage Good Writing Skills
Years ago when I worked with the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., I read a report prepared by my Bureau's Deputy Assistant Secretary (DAS). I cannot remember what the report was about, but I clearly remember how impressed I was with his writing ability. I complimented him on his writing skill, and he kindly took me aside to give me some advice. He said, “Liz, to be successful in any organization, one needs to be able to write well. Always remember that your writing is a reflection...
That’s Not My Job
I recently had lunch with a consulting colleague. He'd just left a client meeting and was rubbing his temples in an attempt to ease a headache. When I asked if there was something specific bothering him, he replied, "Why are people so afraid to take responsibility and do their jobs?" Apparently during the meeting it had become obvious the project would need additional work as my colleague had pointed out gaps in the team's initial planning. However, as my colleague asked each of the four team...
The Buckshot Approach vs The Bullet Approach
Many years ago, while on a business trip, I met with a new manager in Guatemala. She had been in her position for one month, was excited about its possibilities, and she had a great deal of energy. After years of neglect and lackluster management, her department had many areas that needed attention. It was somewhat overwhelming, but she was determined to get things in shape. When I arrived for our first meeting, she was talking on the phone, with two other lines on hold, and she was sitting in...
Guest Post: Ian Cook
We have a special guest on the blog today. Ian Cook, Fulcrum Associates, has written a terrific article that we'd like to share with you. What’s Your Ask/Tell Ratio? By Ian Cook Do you ask your employees as often as you tell them what to do and what you think? In my experience, most managers don’t, not even close. Elsewhere in this blog I have offered four reasons why this is so. But if you have no answer to the above question, I invite you to spend a week or so watching...