Language is powerful. Consciously or unconsciously, words convey and create powerful, evocative, emotional and lasting images both from the perspective of the user and the receiver. Over time, most organizations and their managers develop their own particular language to describe… Read More ›
Exercising Responsibility
SELECTING A MANAGER
A senior executive colleague of mine once told me he took great pride in his ability to fill managerial openings with high quality people. “I could always just close my eyes”, he said, “and picture at least five faces all… Read More ›
HOW SHOULD I DECIDE?
In a recent blog, I wrote about the importance and buy-in value of involving subordinates in decisions that will directly or indirectly impact their work and/or personal lives. I reiterate the point here because subordinate buy-in is often the essential… Read More ›
EVALUATING YOUR DECISIONS
Readers of this blog know my passion for management that possesses a bias for action. The best managers, in my view, always eschew the habit of simply talking or complaining about things, for doing things that have the potential to… Read More ›
BIAS FOR ACTION IN ACTION III: DOING SOMETHING
Thus far in phases one and two of a “Bias For Action in Action”, the manager’s work I have described has been primarily intellectual. Many organizations and managers excel at analyzing their problems and identifying potential remedies. Turning that “knowing something”… Read More ›
BIAS FOR ACTION IN ACTION II: HOW ABOUT……..?
In phase one of a bias for action in action, I discussed selection of a problem or situation needing management attention and gathering a team of colleagues to assist in the effort. Phase two involves thinking through what you might… Read More ›
BIAS FOR ACTION IN ACTION I: WHAT & WHO
Previously, I have suggested that one of the things the best managers know and do is to cultivate a bias for action rather than simply talking about problems, and I introduced you to a company that has combined their creative and innovative energies with… Read More ›
MANAGING UP PART IV: MENTORING THE BOSS
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 surrounding Stuttgart. I knew just enough about being an Officer… Read More ›
MANAGING UP PART III: DISAGREEING WITH THE BOSS
Unless you are one of those people who happens to be one of life’s natural contrarians and thus loves being on the opposite side of almost any issue, chances are you don’t relish arguing or disagreeing with your boss. In… Read More ›
MANAGING UP PART II: SHAPING EXPECTATIONS
I have long believed that operating in the dark with regard to what your supervisor expects of your management performance, is a lot like walking around in the dark in a strange hotel room at 3:00 in the morning; sooner… Read More ›