Author Archives
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DANGER SIGNS THAT SOMETHING IS GETTING THE BEST OF YOU
Is your temper on a somewhat shorter fuse than usual? Is the list of things that get under your skin growing longer by the day? Is your tolerance for the human foibles of those around you noticeably diminishing? Do you… Read More ›
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UNDERSTANDING THE LIMITS OF ATTENTION
Listening or paying attention to something attentively for an extended period of time, is a challenge for most human beings. In my experience, how much we humans will listen to anything, pay attention to anything, or stick with something we… Read More ›
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CAPABILITY AND CAPACITY
My friend and sometimes workshop partner Jack, loves to talk about the importance of assessing an employee’s capabilities and capacity. Regarding the importance of these concepts, I could not agree more. Yet over the years, I have rarely heard them… Read More ›
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AUTHORITY VS INFLUENCE
One aspect of being a manager that lures many to the profession is the idea of having some real authority, of being in control of something and of having the power to give orders and directions that make things happen…. Read More ›
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TEAMWORK: IT’S INTERESTING WHAT YOU CAN LEARN SITTING AT A BAR
Recently during a business trip to Denver, I was having a drink and dinner at the bar of Ted”s Montana Grill in Aurora, Colorado. Being alone, my attention focused on the three individuals working the bar that evening. Ted’s was busy…. Read More ›
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SOME THOUGHTS ABOUT EMPLOYEE ORIENTATION AND TRAINING
I have never encountered an organization that at least rhetorically did not champion the importance of training for all its employees. But I have encountered quite a few organizations whose management actions and cultural attitudes sent some confusing and contradictory… Read More ›
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PROBLEM SOLVING: WHAT IS/ARE THE REAL ISSUE OR ISSUES INVOLVED?
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”. I have known no managers… Read More ›
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DO NOT WITHHOLD INFORMATION THAT CAN HELP OTHERS SUCCEED
One of the great gifts any experienced manager has at his or her disposal, is the lessons of their experience. Years of hard work, countless hours of practice and application, the painful lessons of things gone wrong and the development… Read More ›
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IGNORING A PROBLEM IS ENABLING THE PROBLEM
In most of my management workshops the discussion, at some point, generally comes around to one of those workplace problems that few managers wish to confront. For example: A personal hygiene issue. The frequent use of inappropriate language around co-workers…. Read More ›
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A “STOP IT” PHRASE: YOU ARE COSTING US/ME MONEY!
I was recently talking with an employee who told me that their boss was fond of reminding them that their work efforts were costing the boss money. This phrase was really irritating them. Was their irritation appropriate? Absolutely in my… Read More ›
Insights on Managing and Leading 