This is a guest post by Career and Executive Coach, Dean Karrel. Dialogue about the importance of soft skills and social skills in business settings is nothing new. There have been books written on the subject, articles on business websites, and many stories in magazines. You’ve probably received emails about seminars or courses offered at local colleges. If you attend any … [Read more...]
Get Comfortable With Employees’ Mistakes
One of my favorite leadership anecdotes involves my daughter when she was just learning to drive. Several years ago, my daughter and I had to drive about thirty miles on county roads through rural Indiana. Snow was not falling on the day we made this drive. However, there was plenty of snow in the fields on either side of the roads and the wind was blowing. Under these … [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...]
3 Teamwork Lessons from Our Founding Fathers
Quint Studer, author of Building a Vibrant Community: How Citizen-Powered Change Is Reshaping America has traveled across America observing communities, from the smallest towns to the largest cities. As he interacts with so many diverse Americans, he has seen a predominant theme: People who work together, win together. "In communities where people come together, put their … [Read more...]
Would You Get an “F” on Employee Development?
Seventy percent of U.S. employees say they’re at least somewhat likely to leave their current company and accept an offer with a new company that’s known for investing in employee learning and development, according to a study from Instructure conducted by The Harris Poll. That statistic is a pretty clear indicator that employees (likely your employees) want opportunities … [Read more...]
4 Steps for Brand-New Leaders
This is a guest post by Zoë Routh, a coach and expert with over 20 years experience in leadership and personal development. If you've moved into a new role where you are more visible and there's a heap more expectation, here are four steps to help you navigate this new level. I call it acclimatizing for leaders. There's always an adjustment period as we discover who we need … [Read more...]
4 Ways to Do More Each Day (and Still Leave on Time)
How can you start boosting your productivity today? In my opinion, accomplishing more each day doesn't have to do with some life-changing process or technology. Instead, it's about finding extra minutes and even hours throughout your work week. It's about minimizing wasted time. Here's how I do it, and how you can too. Listen closely We know that being a better listener is a … [Read more...]
[Infographic] 10 Leadership Lessons From Leslie Knope
If you haven't watched Parks and Recreation (ever or recently), it might be time to binge-watch the show (it's on Netflix!). As Fundera points out in this infographic, we all stand a lot to learn from the shows wacky, but utterly devoted, lead character, Leslie Knope. Check out these 10 leadership lessons she teaches us all. … [Read more...]
Is Your Workplace Hostile? Here Are 5 Indicators It Is
This is a guest post from Chris Dyer performance expert, speaker, consultant, and author of The Power of Company Culture. When office relations go south, the boss is often the last one to know. Gossips and bullies act from the shadows. Employees might hold back their gripes for fear of losing favor. And trouble with customers may be shielded so it doesn’t reflect poorly on … [Read more...]
Do You Have 5 Minutes? Don’t Waste It.
Leaders are always telling me how busy they are. Heck, it isn’t just leaders, it seems to be everyone. We all have too much to do and too little time. Today, I am not going to ask you to set aside hours of time. I am asking you to find five minutes. That's it. We all have five minutes show up in our day. We have five minutes between meetings or phone calls. We all have … [Read more...]