What Needs to Change in Organizations?

Aug 12, 2014 | Leadership Development

Leaders Need to Learn to Think so They Can Speak the Truth... Clearly Why are so many supervisors, managers, and even some big dogs with the snazzy three letter titles: CEO, CIO, EVP, etc., incapable of communicating clearly? Why are so many managers unable to provide honest commentary on work performance without belittling the employees, skirting the real issues, or confusing the employees with nebulous, non-specific examples? Why do so many managers suck at speaking the truth in ways...

How Comfortable Is Your Leadership?

Dec 17, 2013 | Leadership Development

When was the last time you had a true belly laugh with your team? Does the thought of having lunch with your team -- with no agenda or brown bag lunch topic planned -- make you nervous? When was the last time your team gave you honest feedback -- to your face -- because you want to hear from them? If you wish I'd stop asking such annoying questions, your leadership style probably isn't very... how can I say this diplomatically... comfortable. It's probably a bit distant, autocratic, and...

Effective Goal Setting

Aug 6, 2013 | Strategic Planning, WBS

We all set goals in our personal and professional lives. However, many of us fail to set our goals effectively, and therefore never achieve them. Our goals are often stated in terms such as "I'll increase productivity next week." That's too vague to give anyone guidance or to spur motivation to enhance performance. To help ourselves and our employees understand what we want to achieve, we need to implement S.M.A.R.T. goal-setting. "S" Stands for SPECIFIC "M" Refers to MEASURABLE "A" Means...

Procrastination Leadership

May 21, 2013 | Leadership Development

Take a look around your office. Look at your desk. Look at your email In-Box. As you look at the various piles of papers and streams of emails, ask yourself, "What am I dodging? What am I trying to delay? What problems, issues, or projects am I finding excuses to avoid? From what am I intentionally (Though I claim it's unintentional) hiding?" If you're getting nervous by any of the questions above, you're probably avoiding Procrastination Leadership. Procrastination Leadership is a term I've...

Are Your Dependable Employees Killing Your Business?

Mar 25, 2013 | Leadership Development

Here’s good ‘ole Ted. He’s worked for you for almost 10 years. He arrives at work each morning between 7:55 and 7:59 AM. He follows the same procedures he helped create years ago. He does his work the same systematic way each day. He quietly attends all required meetings and training sessions. He provides reports when asked. He’s polite, doesn't challenge his co-workers, and doesn't get stressed, excited or ruffled by much at all. He usually eats lunch at his desk. He never wastes a...