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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
In the world of strategic planning and review, the value of an outside perspective cannot be overstated. While your internal teams bring valuable insights and expertise to the table, engaging external viewpoints can inject fresh ideas, challenge assumptions, stimulate creativity, and drive robust participation in the strategic review process. Let’s 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