Are Your Employees Held Hostage or Held Accountable?

Jun 4, 2013 | Leadership Development

A client called me recently to say he'd just finished reading a paragraph from Jack Welch’s book “Jack – Straight from the Gut” to his staff. The section he’d read outlined Mr. Welch’s thoughts on the importance of “Informality” as a key leadership skill. As Jack Welch describes it, “Bureaucracy strangles. Informality liberates. Creating an informal atmosphere is a competitive advantage. Bureaucracy can be the ultimate insulator. Informality isn't about first names, unassigned parking spaces,...

Are You Asking Enough of Your Managers?

Oct 23, 2012 | Leadership Development

Are you frustrated with your managers, supervisors, or project managers? Do they blame others when budgets are blown and deadlines are missed? Do they point fingers when their teams are deadlocked over problems? Do they throw their hands up in frustration when their team's internal conflicts get in the way of servicing the customers? If so, are you asking enough of your managers? Or let me put it this way: Are you being clear enough with your managers as to what you really expect...

Now’s the Time for Success

Dec 27, 2011 | Strategic Planning

If your organization is like most, the added pressures of employee vacation schedules can compound stretched-to-the-limit holiday work requirements. With some employees out of the office on vacation, some trying to cover the work of those who are on leave, and others trying to get caught up when they return, there’s a direct impact on the focus and efficiency of your organization. Because of this natural cycle that hits many companies every year, it’s critical that you regroup now with your...

Your Real Competitive Advantage

Mar 9, 2011 | Strategic Planning

“The one thing competitors can't quickly access is the brains of your work force.” Bingo! That's exactly what I've been telling my clients for years. And since the day I read that quote by Susan Meisinger SPHR (former President and CEO of the Society for Human Resource Management), I've shared it again and again. She nailed it beautifully. I don't care if we're discussing your need to increase sales, reduce waste, improve quality, reduce cycle time or develop a new product line; it all starts...

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...