If you've never made a mistake at work, raise your hand. Chances are, your hand is NOT up. If it is, kudos. You might be the first person ever to not make a mistake on the job. Most of us do, especially in the early days of leadership, but even leaders who have been at for a long time slip up. They make bad personnel decisions, act without thinking, jump to conclusions, lash … [Read more...]
About Bud to Boss Editors
Integrity Is Not Optional
“It takes a lifetime to build a good reputation, but you can lose it in a minute.” —Will Rogers These days, we're hearing so much about the integrity of our political and corporate leaders. But what does integrity mean? It means being honest, moral and ethical. It means doing what is right for the common good, not fulfilling some personal agenda. It means putting others … [Read more...]
Don’t Blame the Last Guy
This is a guest post from Pam Fox Rollin. You would never stoop to blame. Or would you? You're going to be tempted Especially if the person who last had the job was let go, demoted, or otherwise removed, you'll be tempted. But even if the last guy was elevated to his/her next walk-on-water job, you're still going to be tempted to blame him for your team's … [Read more...]
Endorsement or Feedback: Which Do You Want?
Do you ask your team members for their opinions and advice, or are you seeking only their endorsement of your ideas and decisions? What's the difference, you ask? You are seeking endorsement If you express your own opinion, idea or plan of action first, and then ask employees to weigh in. Even the most confident, assertive team members may feel that they can’t disagree … [Read more...]
Know What Your Employees Actually Think of You
Are you a great leader? How would your employees answer that question? One of the smartest things you can do for your development as a leader is to gain a real understanding of how your employees view you as a leader. The only way to do that is to ask. Here are several questions to ask them, preferably anonymously so they feel free to be completely honest. Consider using an … [Read more...]
20 Super Simple Ways to Show Your Appreciation
Lavish rewards are great—if you can afford them. But you can motivate your team and let staffers know that you appreciate them even if you don’t have a dime to spend. Add this list of 20 motivating phrases to your memory bank: “I am proud to have you on my team.” “Congratulations on a terrific job.” “You are so helpful. Thank you.” “You keep improving. Well … [Read more...]
Showing Appreciation Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated
Employee recognition is an essential element in the effort to reduce employee turnover in any organization. It is pretty obvious that everyone enjoys being thanked for the hard work and contributions they provide to their organization. So why is it that employee recognition seems so scarce in today's workplace? Don't get me wrong … I'm not trying to say that all managers and … [Read more...]
3 Leadership Tips You Can Probably Forget
We're in the business of offering leadership and workplace advice, but even we can admit some advice runs its course. The times change, making that once sage advice obsolete. Or it just doesn't fit the same situations it once did. It's safe to say that there is always a chance the advice will be relevant again, but for right now, here are three nuggets you can forget. Don’t … [Read more...]
Employees are Staying Silent and That’s Hurting Business
Employees don't feel empowered to speak up, even when they really should, says a new book Speak Up – Say what needs to be said and hear what needs to be heard, written by Professor Megan Reitz, of the Ashridge Hult Business School, and John Higgins, Research Director at The Right Conversation. The research covers more than 4000 employees at every level of a business. The goal: … [Read more...]
Prevent Communication Problems With Your New Team
When you take over a team, outline expectations for how you want to communicate with your new employees. Doing so helps to ensure that they meet those expectations, that you reduce misunderstandings and that you prevent productivity-zapping communication breakdowns. As soon as you assume your role as leader, lay out these guidelines: How you prefer to communicate Are you … [Read more...]