In their most basic form, organizational work units consist of four parts: (1) a named entity of some size (i.e. a team, branch, staff, division, etc); a service or mission focus for that unit; (3) an assemblage of human talent and skills to… Read More ›
Self-Management
ADVERTIZING A JOB: TELL THE TRUTH
I recently had a long conversation with a disgruntled employee. Her primary issue was that she believed she was lied to and deceived about her job when hired. She told me she applied for and was promised at her hiring a major… Read More ›
BALANCING THE VISIONARY AND THE PRACTICAL
Having a vision for the future of your organization, a big idea, a grand goal! It is hard to argue against the importance of these things when it comes to inspirational management and leadership and to the success and continued relevance… Read More ›
MANAGING FIRST IMPRESSIONS
We are all familiar with the power and durability of first impressions. And nowhere is this more critical for a manager, than those created during their first week or two in a new job. A manager’s new subordinates and colleagues will… Read More ›
GOOD MANAGEMENT: THE ART OF NUDGING
I once asked a senior manager colleague what she considered the “core competency” of a good manager. “the art of Effective Nudging“, she replied. I knew at once what she meant as I had done my fair share of it… Read More ›
GOOD MANAGERS WORK AT IT
When different people, focusing on different fields of endeavor and at different times all end up sending us the same message, seems to me we ought to pay attention. So consider the following message from four separate authors regarding the… 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 ›
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 ›
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 ›
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 ›