I wrote a lot over the holidays, and I’m very close to finishing another book. It will explore what it means to serve your team. To maintain prior themes, I might call it “Staff Matters” Leadership and management are terms that are often misunderstood. Some believe management is all about Read more
How to Combat Toxicity to Foster Innovation and Growth Toxicity in the workplace will undermine organizational success if left unchecked. It erodes trust, hinders collaboration, and stifles creativity, ultimately disrupting innovation and growth. Recognizing and addressing toxicity is crucial for fostering an environment where employees feel valued, motivated, and empowered Read more
Resilience is not just a character trait; it is a collective strength that drives organizations forward. Resilience has become one of the most in-demand qualities in today’s unpredictable work environment. The ability to recover from setbacks, adapt to changing circumstances, and maintain a positive outlook during challenges is crucial for Read more
Setting aside time for reflection is often undervalued despite its essential role in fostering learning, self-awareness, and sustainable development. Taking time to evaluate experiences can reveal important insights, recognize accomplishments, and identify areas for improvement. While many people used the Holiday break to reflect, most used the time to catch Read more
Harnessing the Potential of a Workforce to Drive Organizational Success Empowered employees exhibit higher levels of engagement, innovation, and productivity. As they gain confidence that they have permission to contribute in ways that go beyond the scope of their work, they transform into invaluable assets to their organizations. By emphasizing Read more
Encouraging Innovation and Creative Thinking As technology and competition continue to evolve, organizations are harder-pressed to remain competitive. Fostering a healthy culture rooted in innovation and creative thinking is a matter of survival. Encouraging employees to seize opportunities, take initiative, and think outside the box provides a safe space for Read more
The other day, a colleague asked me about how to deal with an organization that had displayed a lack of integrity. I recalled a situation from my past when I worked as an advisor to a firm that ran into financial difficulties. There, when faced with the company’s collapse, the Read more
Promoting Collaboration and Teamwork for a United Organization Building an organizational culture that promotes collaboration is essential for operational efficiency and for fostering a sense of belonging and shared purpose among all staff. When teams work together effectively, they achieve more, innovate faster, and build a culture of mutual respect Read more
Effective communication is the bedrock of a healthy workplace, fostering trust, collaboration, and a shared sense of purpose. Despite our intentions, everyone experiences communication difficulties at times. Some people excel at expressing intricate concepts but may struggle with personal interactions. Others may shine in one-on-one conversations but find speaking to Read more
The start of a New Year offers the perfect opportunity to prioritize mental and physical well-being. Mental health and wellness are the foundations that enable employees to thrive in all areas of life, and yet they are topics that most people shy away from discussing. By fostering a workplace culture Read more
Learning from Challenges While it’s natural for people to focus on victories, reflecting on challenges is even more important. In fact, we can learn more from our mistakes than we ever will from successes. In making mistakes, we open opportunities for ourselves to learn and grow. Without acknowledging our mistakes Read more
Fresh starts and setting meaningful goals The beginning of any new term is an ideal moment for both employers and employees to pause, reflect, and realign their priorities. The holiday break before the New Year provides a valuable chance to assess what has been effective and what needs adjustment. Setting Read more
Last week, I had interesting conversations with the presidents of two organizations I advise. They expressed their concerns regarding how to assist staff in managing stress during trying times. Both leaders work with a diverse mix of personalities, some of whom may not completely align with the organization’s objectives. Reviewing Read more
To succeed as managers, we must develop a diverse skill set. However, to be a leader, we must learn and develop many additional skills that elevate us from good to great. Just as parents develop their parenting abilities while raising their first child, new managers face a significant learning curve Read more
Unfortunately, almost everyone has dealt with a manager who doesn’t communicate well, or leaves them feeling like “my manager doesn’t like me.” This scenario often occurs when a new manager is hired or promoted from another location. It’s uncommon for the new manager to genuinely dislike anyone. However, if they Read more
Mistakes are an inevitable part of our days. We all make them, and some are worse than others. While mistakes can be minor, others can strain relationships or disrupt productivity. Fortunately, when spotted, any mistake provides an opportunity for learning and growth! As a manager, it’s expected that you will Read more
Unless you are immortal, every relationship has an expiry date. Unfortunately, none of us know when that will be nor whether the end will be peaceful or acrimonious. Founding a startup is a challenging and high-stakes endeavor, often compared to a rollercoaster ride. One of the most critical aspects of Read more
If we ignore the past, All Cycles Repeat How many monopolies survive long-term? How many companies would succeed long-term if, when faced with competition, they only derided the competitive product and failed to learn from its benefits? Now consider the current political climate and the political debates underway worldwide. Imagine Read more
Innovation drives progress at a relentless pace. No matter how groundbreaking it may seem, every new technological offering is already obsolete in the developer’s labs. This phenomenon is not just a theoretical concept but a reality shaped by several factors, including market dynamics, consumer expectations, and the intrinsic nature of Read more
Competition is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it can be intimidating, creating pressure and uncertainty. On the other hand, competition can drive innovation, improve quality, and enhance customer satisfaction. While many entrepreneurs strive to be the first to market, it’s rarely the first company to enter a market that Read more
In the tech sector, change is the normal expectation on any given day, and within the industry, very few mature business sectors exist. In any industry, not just IT or Tech, product-based companies face unique challenges and opportunities that differ significantly from those encountered by service-oriented businesses. The options for Read more
In business, the method of funding an owner / operator chooses will significantly influence a company’s trajectory and ultimate success. If you are an executive in a small business startup, you’re likely familiar with some of the funding options available, from venture capital to bank loans. One model of funding Read more
“To save one child from abuse and prevent one suicide while earning more than one billion dollars for investors.” This is my new company’s mission: Saving one person from abuse or suicide will be a success. (Once I’m ready to unveil that company, I’ll share the domain and information. You Read more
In a world where ‘facts’ and statistics are thrown around like confetti at a parade, it’s easy to fall into the trap of jumping to conclusions based on headlines alone. Case in point: the proclamation: “Towns with Fewer Doctors Have Lowered Injury Rates.” At first glance, one is led to Read more
In yesterday’s post, Towns with more churches tend to have more criminals, I proposed that you need to look beyond prior job experience when building a team. It takes more than just wisdom to sort through all the factors needed to assemble the right team. So, let’s explore some of Read more
Perspective is everything and forms the reality we see around us. Many people’s first reaction to reading the title will be to recoil at the inference that churches and criminals are connected. While that topic is interesting, the connection between the two can be explained through statistics. Churches are built Read more
Most of us will have to navigate a variety of cultural differences during our lives, either within our own organizations or when dealing with family, clients, or suppliers located in different geographies. Cultural understanding is crucial for the success of any relationship. However, understanding goes far beyond being aware of Read more
In last week’s posts, we defined and examined aspects of the most damaging personality type, narcissists. The impact of their malignant tendencies may be felt at work, at home, or both. The stress created certainly is felt throughout. When previously benign relationships take a turn for the worse due to Read more
I’ve worked with and managed high-performers who are egotistical and self-centered. I didn’t enjoy their self-centered attitudes, but I didn’t doubt their commitment. I’ve also worked with narcissists and have come to the conclusion that unless they are willing to put in the hard work to address their challenges and reform Read more
It would be wonderful to be able to understand the roots of narcissistic behavior in simple terms. Unfortunately, as is true of all mental health conditions that arise as a result of an Adverse Childhood Experience, pinpointing the events that gave root to the long-term injury is challenging. Without the Read more
I was discussing narcissistic behaviors with a friend recently, and they voiced frustration with how the term “narcissist” has become increasingly common in casual conversation. It is often used as a label for anyone exhibiting egotistical or self-centered behavior. However, this oversimplification does a disservice to our understanding of the Read more
The pace at which organizations are having to adapt and evolve their technology platforms to remain competitive continues to grow, and as the pace grows, so can stress on the staff. While most technologies bring time savings and efficiency improvements, there’s always some degree of stress that accompanies their installation Read more
Those of us who have ADHD know it can be a superpower when managed properly. However, while there are incredible benefits to ADHD, there are also challenges that others will never face or fully understand. These are no better or worse than anyone else’s challenges, they are just different. Whether you Read more
While some jobs are more inherently stressful than others, a poor corporate culture will make any job more stressful. These unduly stressful jobs breed toxic behavior, creating a vicious cycle that undermines employee well-being and organizational performance. Toxic workplace cultures lead to a host of negative outcomes, including employee attrition, Read more
When I build teams, either for my own ventures or when I assist others to establish the foundations for growth, I have one mindset: my only job is to “surround myself with people who are better than I am, and to ensure they have the tools necessary to succeed.” What Read more
As mentioned in a prior post, over 90% of CEOs and CFOs believe that improving their corporate culture would boost financial performance. However, a staggering 80% of workers still report suffering from work-related stress. This disconnect has massive implications on both a human and corporate level, highlighting the urgent need Read more
Nobody owns the truth, but the media plays an outsized role in shaping our perceptions, attitudes, and even our understanding of personal success and overall well-being. Gone are the days when journalism was about delivering succinct, fact-based accounts to the public so that individuals could develop their own opinions. Instead, Read more
People are the only organizational asset that matters To grow a successful organization, a leader must recognize that the most valuable asset within the organization are the people. It does not matter what the product or service you offer is, quality begins and ends with the team. As such, the Read more
As I have been building my latest venture, which I will share here in the not-too-distant future, I’ve been consulting with various business leaders. It’s been interesting to observe that pre-pandemic, the top health insurance costs rarely included prescriptions for mental health-related conditions. Now, however, these treatment costs are the Read more
Using Insights from Human Design, Enneagram, and MBTI When helping businesspeople assess needs or understand business problems, the question of team composition invariably arises. We should all be focused on surrounding ourselves with people who are better than us. Done right our teams will learn from each other and help Read more
Impact, Recognition, and Strategies for Mitigating Burnout Leading up to the pandemic, burnout was talked about as a result of overwork. With the heightened awareness of all mental health issues and their effect on the workplace, people’s attitudes have shifted, and there’s recognition that the issues are more subtle, profound, Read more
Focus on Polishing Strengths when Managing People The role of managers and Human Resources (HR) management, in particular, has undergone a significant evolution in recent decades. Once primarily responsible for handling employee concerns and administrative tasks, HR now plays a crucial strategic role in aligning the development of corporate culture Read more
Excelling as a Leader in the Workplace Not all the leaders within an organization are found within management. Leaders can be anyone whose actions epitomize the behaviors we seek to emulate. While a manager receives a title that denotes their designation, the title does not automatically make them a leader. Read more
, When managing people, it’s essential to first spot and understand their type. As discussed in “Assholes Matter,” we are all different, flawed, and imperfect! Accepting that, just like ourselves, all the people around us are works in progress engaged in journeys to become less imperfect allows us to deal Read more
In my recent book, “Assholes Matter,” I discussed the effects of criticism in the workplace and its effects on mental health. This morning, I read an article by Marcel Schwantes regarding Arianna Huffington’s approach and thought I would add some perspective. Selecting the right employees for an organization is a Read more
As an advisor to senior executives, I constantly comment on the critical role that leadership plays in shaping an organization’s culture and trajectory. While most are purposeful in adopting positive behaviors to be role models for others, in recent times, we have witnessed several instances where even the most successful Read more