The Webster Dictionary defines a FACT as “the quality of being actual; something that has actual existence; a piece of information presented as having objective reality; something that hinges on evidence”. So when you say “in fact”, what you are… Read More ›
accountability
THINKING AND ACTING FORWARD
Tradition is a very powerful and important thing. It is a glue that helps hold nations, societies, families and organizations together. Traditions are a source of pride, we celebrate them, we defend them, and we hold on to them because… Read More ›
DON’T ASK IF YOU ARE NOT PREPARED TO ACT ON WHAT YOU HEAR
I recently encountered the following story. A supervisor initiated an employee opinion survey designed, among other things, to identify what the staff thought of their performance as a manager. The supervisor promised the responses would be anonymous and had arranged to have another staff… Read More ›
EFFECTIVE CORPORATE DECISION MAKING step 4: MEASURING RESULTS
INTRODUCTION Managers make countless individual decisions for which they are personally responsible and accountable. However, in most organizations managers collectively are also required to decide and implement decisions that will impact their entire organization simultaneously. It is these latter collective… Read More ›
ACCOUNTABILITY: THE SIMPLE MANAGEMENT SECRET OF THE PAUL O’NEILL STORY
Chapter four of Charles Duhigg’s fascinating and highly insightful book “The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business” is entitled“Keystone Habits or the Ballad of Paul O”Neill”. This chapter has drawn a lot of… Read More ›
HOW WELL AM I DOING MY JOB?
I frequently ask managers how they evaluate, or attempt to know, how they are doing in their jobs. What never ceases to surprise me is the number of respondents that are unable to provide anything but a rather vague “OK”… Read More ›
SPAN OF CONTROL
What is the best way to raise a child? What is the best investment strategy for long-term growth in the current economy? What car is the best choice for a young family of four? How much life insurance is enough?… Read More ›
WHO BEARS RESPONSIBILITY FOR A FIRING?
Employees — sometimes in large numbers — are laid off from organizations for a variety of reasons beyond the quality of their performance. Company mergers often result in large-scale employee reductions to achieve economies and eliminate duplication. Government organizations —… Read More ›
CHANGING A MANAGEMENT CULTURE
A common conversation I have with many of my senior, executive clients involves their desire to alter elements of their organization’s management culture and their frustration with how difficult they find that challenge. “Why is this so hard, take so… Read More ›
MEETINGS: THOSE THAT SHOULD AND SHOULD NOT BE HELD
It is almost impossible to imagine modern business, non-profit, or government work getting accomplished, without people gathering in a seemingly endless round of meetings. Meetings are so much a part of our everyday work life that we rarely question their… Read More ›