If it hasn’t happened yet, it will. Eventually you’ll be asked, as a manager and leader, to support a decision you disagree with. Maybe it’s a project you don’t think will succeed. Maybe it’s a corporate acquisition – a merger with another company. Maybe it’s a round of cost-cutting and associated layoffs. Maybe it’s a single employee being terminated. Whatever it …
What do you do when a trainee won’t learn?
You’ve been training a new employee. And they’re stuck. They can’t seem to pick up the details, they can’t absorb the next step, they can’t “get it right,” they’re clearly stressed and unhappy – and so are you! You’ve tried everything you know how to do. Speaking privately with them. Role-playing. Asking questions to find out what they do understand – …
The dangers of over-delivering
“Under-promise and over-deliver.” It’s a common principle, especially in consulting and other service businesses. But – as we discussed in a recent group meeting – sometimes over-delivering isn’t such a great idea. As a prime example, I recently had a conversation with a woman who routinely got middle-of-the-night phone calls because she had become the go-to person for anything that came …
How much time does it take to grow a new leader?
A follower asked a great question on an “Ask Me Anything (about leadership)” post on my Facebook business page. “How do you balance the time devoted to leadership development versus running the business/department?” There’s a sneaky assumption embedded in the question that training and development is separate from running the department. But leadership development is part of running the business, …
“Hi-Po Emerging Leader” – really?
I’m not a fan of those terms – “hi-po” (or “high potential”) and “emerging leader.” (Forgive me, please, if they’ve been applied to you. I’m sure you deserve them, and do read on to understand what I mean.) Corporate America does a terrible job of supporting first-line managers, supervisors, and new leaders. These are the people who have the biggest …
Got control?
This isn’t an article about the perils of being a control freak. Quite the opposite, actually. It’s an article in which I beg you to take control. Take control of your career. Please. Don’t let your career wander around according to the whims of your managers, your employers, and perhaps your family. Let’s start here. Got a plan? Actually, let’s not start here. …
Go ahead. Take a break.
Yesterday, I presented a breakout session at the annual Businesswomen’s Conference, created every year by the Bentonville Arkansas Chamber of Commerce. This was its 21st year, and they do a fantastic job; it always sells out well in advance, and each year seems to get better (with the possible exception of the plain green salad they consider an adequate lunch …
Did you ASK?
When was the last time you asked for something you really wanted? Not something you kinda-sorta wanted. Not your kid to take out the trash, or your partner to empty the dishwasher. Not your co-worker to pick up a pumpkin-spice latte for you on their way in to the office. Something you REALLY wanted. That can be hard and it can …
Where are you going?
Is what you’re doing aligned with what you want? REALLY aligned? Of course, first you must know what you want. REALLY know, in detail. This isn’t about woo or the Law of Attraction. It’s about the clarity you need in order to know – REALLY know – if what you’re doing is, in fact, aligned with where you want to …
Stop flinging candidate spaghetti against the wall!
As a hiring manager, you know what I mean by that. Even if you don’t want to admit it. But I’ll give you an example. A client was convinced – as in, 100% certain, no question – that he couldn’t find great employees in his industry and geographic location. He felt that the specialized requirements of the job just weren’t possible …