Do YOUR Job

Feb 14, 2011 | Leadership Development

A manager approached me this week after a work session to seek my advice on how she should address one of her employees. This employee is increasingly becoming Trouble (with a tall T). He is more often than not selecting which projects (and which elements of each project) he will work on. When the manager asks the employee to redirect his efforts, the employee replies in patronizing tones in front of other staff members. This employee has also failed to complete the primary project his...

It’s Time to Sync Your Team

Jan 17, 2011 | Leadership Development

When was the last time you sat your entire team down and simply compared To Do lists? That may sound like a waste of time, but I'd encourage you to make it a priority if you can't remember the last time you did this or you've never done it. Why? if you're not all focusing on the right priorities, you're probably working harder than you need to be. If you're not all in sync with the same information, you may also be working against one another. Years ago I was working with a bank's leadership...

Are You the Kind of Organization You Need to Be?

Nov 25, 2009 | Sales, Marketing & Customer Service

One of my favorite thoughts for inspiration is by Jim Cathcart: "How would the person I'd like to be do the thing I'm about to do?" Whenever I ask myself that question, I usually ratchet up what I'm going to do a notch or two - and the result is usually much better than if I'd done "just enough" to get by. I recently worked with a client I've supported on and off for years. They've always been a great client to work with because I invariably learn something from them. I am also routinely...

Develop Your Next Generation of Leaders: Share Lessons Learned

Jul 24, 2009 | Leadership Development

We've been working with several clients lately on developing their next generation of leaders. Without fail, every client grouping of senior managers talks of the weak or under-developed personnel management, delegation, strategic thinking, and personal accountability skills in their direct-report managers. The really interesting thing is: Almost all of these senior managers are individuals who themselves had these same weak skills just a few short years ago. Huh. I wonder how they gained...