Meetings CAN be a waste of time and they can be the biggest productivity and engagement tool in any organization. The difference in outcome rests first and foremost on the shoulders and hands and mind of you as a leader. So think of your very last meeting with your team, and ask yourself: How productive was the meeting? Was that normal or the exception? How would … [Read more...]
Coaching is More Than Just Sharing Your Knowledge
You have likely risen to your current role because you have some expertise. That expertise could be in the technical nature of your team’s work, for example, you were a great sales person, so you were promoted to sales manager, or you were the top engineer so you were promoted to chief engineer. You may have proven to have superior leadership skills so you advanced, or you may … [Read more...]
7 Ways to Set the BEST Example for Employees
To lead someone or something means, literally, to be in front, so that others can see and follow in that direction. Stated another way, if you think you are leading, but no one is following, you are just taking a walk. In yet other words, leaders are leaders because of what they do, not because of a position they hold or the title printed on their business cards. This idea is … [Read more...]
Help Employees Find Purpose in Their Work
Most people leave (or considering leaving) their jobs because the job lacks purpose and meaning, according to Gallup's State of the American Workplace. With talent shortages already at record highs, you can't afford to lose your top talent, but how much of a role can you play in helping others find meaning in their work? It turns out, quite a lot, and it's worth your … [Read more...]
The Truth About Work-Life Balance
Summer is here, so it's a good time to think about work-life balance. Unfortunately, you and your employees are so busy and feel pulled in so many directions that you all may find the idea of work-life balance elusive, and with good reason. Technology makes us available and "on" 24/7/365. Our phones tether us to work. Our minds wander to the job at the most inopportune … [Read more...]
4 Ways to Do More Each Day (and Still Leave on Time)
How can you start boosting your productivity today? In my opinion, accomplishing more each day doesn't have to do with some life-changing process or technology. Instead, it's about finding extra minutes and even hours throughout your work week. It's about minimizing wasted time. Here's how I do it, and how you can too. Listen closely We know that being a better listener is a … [Read more...]
Become a Strong Delegator (And Take Back Your Time)
Delegation is something that every leader has feelings about. Some feel they do it well. Some don’t even know where to start. Some have seen a good example of it. Some feel like every time someone has “delegated” to them, it felt like they’d just been dumped on. Some think it is something they should do. Some resist it. Regardless of your feelings and experiences, there … [Read more...]
Do You Have 5 Minutes? Don’t Waste It.
Leaders are always telling me how busy they are. Heck, it isn’t just leaders, it seems to be everyone. We all have too much to do and too little time. Today, I am not going to ask you to set aside hours of time. I am asking you to find five minutes. That's it. We all have five minutes show up in our day. We have five minutes between meetings or phone calls. We all have … [Read more...]
Are Communication Style Tools Valuable? It Depends.
Why is communication so hard? One of the top reasons is that not everyone communicates in the same way, with the same tendencies or styles. To simplify things, we have access to all these useful tools that provide assessment takers with acronyms, colors, letters, animals or other designations to identify their personality and communication style. They're often fun and can be … [Read more...]
If Anything, Learn THIS Important Lesson on Election Day
If you live in the United States, you have to know it is Election Day. Direct mail, yard signs, neighborhood canvassers, radio and television ads and more – all add up to an important day in the life of a democracy. But this post isn’t about politics. The lesson today is something what we, as organization and community leaders, should not do. I am struck by how much of … [Read more...]