Are you having regular one-on-one meetings with your team, or are you too busy, have nothing to say, or consider them a waste of time? Spare me. If you're the leader, your first responsibility is to the welfare of your direct … [Read more...]
Diversity
Diversity of thought, life experiences, and belief systems is what makes organizations stronger. The fittest ideas can flourish, and greater numbers of people benefit. If the room you're in looks like you, you're not learning enough. You'll feel … [Read more...]
Be Ready to Lead
Ever sit with a bunch of people and awkwardly talk about what to do next? Everyone is tentative and polite. No one wants to offend or look foolish. People are going out of their way to avoid disagreements and confrontation. And that is only trying … [Read more...]
Make a Habit of Painless Networking
You can't just be an introvert or an extrovert anymore. You could be an extroverted introvert or an introverted extrovert. You might even be an ambivert. There are many terms floating around the heads of people who are trying to make sense of the … [Read more...]
4 Ways to be Less of a Fool and More of a Leader
Social media is awash in manager versus boss memes and ideal leadership infographics. Maybe they make you feel good for a little while because you use them as a checklist when you're not getting the recognition you deserve. You convince yourself that … [Read more...]
For the Love of Meetings and Road Trips
In some circles, it is sacrilegious to say it, but I love meetings. Granted, I have a broad definition of a meeting. It is where two or more people interact. For me, that can happen in a boardroom, a coffee shop, during a walk along the beach or a … [Read more...]
Why Does Your Follow-up Suck?
There are two types of follow-up. First, the kind you initiate: “I am calling about the proposal I sent you.” “You committed to that action by Tuesday, how is it going?” “Did you remember to send your mother a birthday card?” Second, the kind … [Read more...]
Let’s Take a Walk Around the Block
Early in my management career I had a span of control of about 20 people. Most of my direct reports were scattered around customer locations in downtown San Diego. Meeting with employees for one-on-one conversations was sometimes a challenge. Pulling … [Read more...]