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It seems like we’re immersed in noise these days. Audible sounds, sure, but also advertising and media and news and arguments and ….
Here’s the question: Are you adding to it as a leader?
People aren’t productive in noisy environments, unless they’ve found ways to mentally shut it out. That’s why many wear earbuds, or have “focus time”, or crave time away from meetings.
Read the rest of this entry »I was talking with someone today who doesn’t have more money they can give employees – they’re stretched financially. So the question becomes: How can we motivate our employees?
This is a very common trap that people fall into. But if you think about it, you know that money isn’t everything. It’s part of a complex mix of factors which can be different for each individual.
But before we get to that, it’s critical to first answer: Does each employee feel that they’re being paid a fair living wage? For many (most?) hourly workers, the answer can be no. In which case, getting to fair compensation must be your first priority. Without that, you’ll be battling employee turnover until your business ultimately fails.
So now let’s get to those who ARE being paid decently. What motivates them?
Read the rest of this entry »A big part of your role as a leader is to help those who aren’t yet as confident as you claim you are. The problem is that we’re all putting on a bit of a false front, acting more sure of ourselves than we actually feel.
As the boss, you don’t want to look foolish in front of your team. You’ve got this.
The employees or volunteers also want to look good in front of their boss and co-workers. But the fact is that we all have our moments of doubt. Even if we don’t show them to others.
Read the rest of this entry »You’ve been working hard on this impending change. You worked out the kinks, and you figured out what order you need to talk to people. Managers first, then key employees, then key partners, then the broader population.
And you’ve been getting your mind around this for – what, three months now? Seems like it’s taken forever. But we’re almost ready to make the Big Announcement and move forward.
After screwing this up many times, I finally learned a lesson. And it’s very simple:
Read the rest of this entry »Being a leader can be lonely. You feel like you are being watched all the time and you have to act like you have it all together.
I get that.
But here’s the challenge: to ask for help when you need it. Which takes a little vulnerability.
Read the rest of this entry »Some problems are just a bear to work out. I don’t know about you, but it seems like I can get stuck on them forever. So I avoid, procrastinate, and complain.
Which, of course, is no help at all.
So I’ve developed some approaches which seem to help, at least most of the time.
Read the rest of this entry »I’ve found that one of the hardest skills today is just listening and being with someone. We’re constantly barraged with things demanding our attention.
The biggest attention-grabber is that device in our pocket. As if it’s ever actually in our pocket.
But as humans, we crave to have relationships with other people. To be understood and appreciated for who we are.
Read the rest of this entry »I love the coaching approach because it tends to look optimistically at the future. In regular life, we all fall into traps of being depressed about how messed up things are, and how impossible it will be to surmount the obstacles in front of us.
What you have to realize is that it’s mostly a story in your head. Sure, there are barriers and challenges ahead. But that’s been true since the day you were born.
And you overcame most of them, right?
Read the rest of this entry »It’s taken me many years to develop my ability to empathize with other people. I tend to think of myself as analytical and goal driven, and relating to people isn’t my natural strength.
Taking my first management job, and later increasing my scope, caused me to realize that results are achieved only through the team I lead. After my corporate job I focused on coaching, helping my clients to develop deeper skills of leadership, influence, and driving results.
I’ve learned that the core skill of leading people is simply empathy. It seems a bit weird because it’s not me driving someone else, the way we usually think about leadership.
Read the rest of this entry »I’ve been reading several articles about companies who are rescinding their job offers before the new worker starts in their position. This whiplash is happening because many businesses have been desperate for employees, and were a bit blindsided by recent economic turmoil.
Imagine what that does to someone who left their previous job, perhaps even moved in anticipation of the great new job. It’s more than devastating.
I sure hope you haven’t had to do this to someone, but it might be good to think about the implications of making this kind of decision.
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The Values-Based Business 