A typical work environment doesn’t always bring out the best in people. An angry boss, spiteful colleagues, stubborn subordinates---these characters create the everyday drama at work. The thought of it is pretty exhausting but it’s a reality for most people, especially managers. Destructive employee behavior, intentional or otherwise, can leave anyone reeling or demotivated. … [Read more...]
Handling Conflict on Your Team
It is inevitable that discord among team members will arise from time to time, and stepping in to tackle and resolve conflict ranks pretty low on most managers’ list of enjoyable activities. But unhandled friction erodes morale and productivity, and can turn even top performers into stressed out B-team players. When disharmony is affecting your group, you may be tempted to … [Read more...]
Do You Have the Mind of an Effective Manager?
An effective manager is capable of leading a team of diverse people to reach a set of goals. In business, those goals change often, and keeping teams motivated to achieve them is extremely challenging. The reason isn't rocket science. Adults have their own reasons for showing up to work each day, and their individual goals don't always align with the goals of an executive … [Read more...]
Establishing a Leadership Brand Within Your Organization
The term, leadership brand, was first used by David Ulrich and Norm Smallwood in 2007. Not only were these university professors describing---in their book with the same name---a way to assess the competencies that individual leaders must possess, but also to address the importance of leadership within the organization. In other words a company needs both individual leaders to … [Read more...]
Is Your Leadership Style Riddled with Blind Spots?
As a business leader, do you know if your leadership style has blind spots? At work, to accomplish what needs to get done in a timely manner and to hit established deadlines, employees and leaders create policies and procedures that can be consistently followed. The ways we do things become habits, and we become comfortable following the day-to-day routines, thinking that such … [Read more...]
Ending Frustration At Work
There are a growing number of reasons why individuals can experience frustration at work. If you’re experiencing budget cuts, longer work hours, unclear organizational direction, or a cranky boss, you might find it difficult to stay positive. A lot of the situations you are facing have nothing to do with you, but you still are the recipient of the stress the situations are … [Read more...]
Why Compassionate Objectivity is Important
Have you noticed leaders who have mastered the art of compassionate objectivity? Do they stand out in your mind? What is it about their style of leadership that proves so very effective? When dealing with people, employees or customers, they seem to have the ability to understand things from another person’s perspective while they also have the ability to stay detached … [Read more...]
How to Be a Great Mentor – 7 Key Steps that Work
Being a valuable and dedicated mentor isn’t only about sharing your knowledge and experience with the next generation of professionals in your industry. It’s also about recognizing more about yourself. It’s about performing a duty that can’t be priced. It’s about being part of a rich, fulfilling, and mutually beneficial relationship. It’s about being prolific. 1. Arrange … [Read more...]
Diversity: The Key Ingredient to Building a High Performance Team
Sponsored by Visa Business: A high performance team is defined as one that operates with a common purpose, common goals, mutual respect, trust, and commitment. A high performance team goes beyond participation to collaboration where team members work together interactively to achieve common goals by capitalizing on each member’s unique skills, knowledge, and abilities to … [Read more...]
5 Ways To Manage Virtual Employees
As you look to grow your business, you may decide it's time to bring others on board. When you hire employees there are several questions you need to consider. First, do you have office space to handle your staff? Second, will you have a dress code? Third, what will their hours be? When you decide to hire virtual employees none of these concerns apply to you. Your … [Read more...]