At some point during a career, most people have the misfortune of drawing the proverbial short straw. Perhaps you were passed over for an assignment or promotion, laid off due to a merger, or out of a job because the… Read More ›
I met my sergeant soon after I arrived in Germany. His name was Thomas Brett. I was a green, newly minted, Second Lieutenant placed in charge of eight Medical Dispensaries. I knew just enough about being an Officer with such… Read More ›
Unless you are a natural contrarian who loves being on the opposite side of almost any issue, chances are you don’t relish arguing or disagreeing with your boss. Some folks are so emotionally uncomfortable with conflict that they avoid such… Read More ›
Working in the absence of a clear understanding of what is expected of you, is a lot like walking around in the dark in a strange hotel room at 3:00 in the morning; sooner or later you are going to… Read More ›
No boss likes being blind-sided by something that one of their subordinates had wind of in advance. As a subordinate, it is always useful to bear in mind the critical difference between three things; (1) those things you can do… Read More ›
What is leadership? Leadership as a verb. One only knows it when one see some specific behavior and thinks “now that’s leadership”. I also believe this observed behavior must be aimed at accomplishing more than simply directing a group of… Read More ›
On November 22, 1968 Japan Airlines Flight 2, a DC 8, was scheduled to land at San Francisco International airport. In heavy fog, its Captain Kohei Asoh, not adequately trained on the plane’s new flight director, landed his aircraft in San… Read More ›
What do you call the phenomena when a group of people silently agree on the dubious merits of an idea or course of action but either remain silent, or agree to do it anyway? George Washington Psychology Professor the late… Read More ›
Abraham Maslow, famous for his theory of the “Hierarchy of Human Needs”, also had this to say about problem solving: “If you only have a hammer, you tend to see every problem as a nail”. No manager has only one… Read More ›
Most managers fantasize at some point about being handed the “DREAM TEAM” assignment. A staff filled with self-starting, bright, multi-talented all-stars who basically need little management at all. Provide a clear sense of direction and get out-of-the-way. Winning performances would… Read More ›
What Best Mnagers Know & Do 