At some point in everyone’s work life we encounter that person — boss, peer, senior manager, or subordinate that simply “gets under our skin”. There is something about them — their style, voice, mannerisms, daily behavior, attitude, routine commentary, or… Read More ›
best managers
PROCRASTINATION: A TRUE ORGANIZATION KILLER
Over a decade ago, authors Jeffrey Pfeffer and Robert Sutton published a splendid book about organizational procrastination entitled “The Knowing Doing Gap”. Although some of its corporate examples are a little dated, its central message about the difference between organizations who… Read More ›
MANAGING WITHOUT “MANAGING”
Recently a good friend and former boss of mine and I were exchanging emails. The subject of management came up and he suggested that I write a blog about managing without “managing”. As I read on in his email I… Read More ›
DEMEANING SUBORDINATES IS NEVER OK
If you have ever received a highly personal verbal attack from a boss, you know how embarrassing, demoralizing, emotionally traumatic, and infuriating that can be. It’s even worse if it was done in public If you have spent any time… Read More ›
THE COST OF UNNECESSARY ORGANIZATIONAL SECRECY
You wonder what’s going on at work? Things just don’t seem right. You called your friend top-side who works with the boss and they told you there have been a lot of behind-closed-door discussions among the managers of late but… Read More ›
SENIOR EXECUTIVES, WHO DIRECTS YOUR STAFF?
To be a senior executive in any sizable organization means that you probably have a staff of people to undertake a broad range of activities essential to your front office and, therefore, to your company’s or organization’s success. Staff members carry a… Read More ›
BALANCING AUTONOMY AND ACCOUNTABILITY
Three company case studies provide rich insight into effective organizational management in Gary Hamel’s marvelous book “The Future of Management”. I have referred to this work elsewhere in this series of articles but here, I wish to draw attention… Read More ›
STAND STILL AND STAGNATE
A recent Businessweek article (September 24, 2010) explained the recent fall from prominence of Finland’s mobile phone manufacturer Nokia this way: “Nokia clung to the idea that mobile handsets were mainly for phoning people. That was a disastrous call”. By comparison,… Read More ›