How You Manage Personality Clashes Says A Lot About You

Jul 19, 2022 | Leadership Development

Maybe there’s something in the air or maybe the planets have shifted, or possibly we’re all just really tired of all of the turmoil. Whatever the cause, there’s an increase in personality-driven, team member conflicts. I’m seeing less patience and intentional conversations, and more clipped, curt, and non-candid conversations with managers and their teams. Whatever the nature, cause, or severity of your team member conflicts, how you as a leader respond says a lot about you, your leadership,...

Communication is a Beautiful Thing

Apr 3, 2012 | Leadership Development

A beautiful thing happened during a client work session this past week: The management team experienced the value of clear, honest communication. For some time this client has been under the incorrect assumption that its management team communicated well with each other. Yet invariably when I'd have a one-on-one meeting with any member of the management team, I'd hear comments along the lines of, "Well, I believe what he really wants to do is..." or "I don't think she's really clear on how to...

Afraid to Be a Leader?

Mar 27, 2012 | Leadership Development

It's happening again. I'm witnessing a new "leader" become ineffective and the senior team's confidence in him is starting to lag. The leader is losing his effectiveness even though he's already implemented several much needed programs for the organization. He's losing his effectiveness because he's afraid to do one of the toughest things required of a leader: he's afraid to hold a key staff member accountable to do her job efficiently, accurately, and professionally. It's sad to say,...

Fear of Difficult Conversations

Jan 3, 2012 | Leadership Development

It's been happening more and more. Clients are complaining about their managers' inappropriate behaviors, lack of management skills, and inability to take on greater responsibilities. Yet, when I ask if they have discussed the problem areas with their managers, they say, "It won't do any good. I talked to them about this years ago and they never changed." Why do so many of us fear having difficult conversations with our managers and other members of our staffs? Why do we choose to not...

Do Employee Cliques Have You Stuck?

Nov 15, 2011 | Leadership Development

One of the quickest ways to alienate new employees, restrict their skill development, and keep an organization stuck in a proverbial rut, is to tolerate employee cliques and allow them to control production. What are they? Employee cliques are destructive employee groupings (gangs) that don't welcome new employees (outsiders). They view new employees and their ideas as threats to the status quo. To them, new employees are a waste of their time—particularly if they have to train the new person...