It's that time of year again for the annual company picnic. Whether yours is a huge party funded by your organization or a small backyard barbecue that you host for your team, they are full of opportunities for employees to embarrass themselves and your employer. Fortunately, whether you’re throwing the party or attending it, there are precautions you can take to ensure that … [Read more...]
7 Ways to Become a More Amazing Boss
The smartest thing you can do as both a leader and an employee is proactively look for ways to improve your skills. Attend training (our next Bud to Boss online workshop starts in May!) and read as many leadership blogs, books and whitepapers as you can. As important, however, is that you look for learning opportunities in your daily routine. If you want to be the type of … [Read more...]
Are You Assertive or Aggressive? The Difference Matters
No matter how great a manager you are, bad things will happen at work: not every day, but occasionally. It’s how you handle those incidents—the ones that fill you with frustration, anger and dread—that determine what kind of leader you are. If you respond to those occasions aggressively (outwardly or passively), you’ll undermine your team, spread fear and start the rumor mill. … [Read more...]
9 Must-Ask Questions for Your Next Job Applicant
How do you select the best employee for your organization? You have to know the right interview questions to ask and what to look for in your interviewees’ responses. Incorporate these into your next interview: Why do you want to work for this organization? You will discover how much research they’ve done and whether or not their expectations are realistic. If they offer … [Read more...]
Put An End to Time-Consuming (And Exhausting) Turf Wars
Turfs wars can derail progress on a project quicker than any other kind of conflict in the workplace. Offering your staff conflict management training on how to deal with that type of situation will save morale and productivity from plummeting—and will lead to stronger interdepartmental relationships, which will undoubtedly be valuable down the line. When you notice the … [Read more...]
Should You Buy Gifts for Your Employees?
Maybe this is your first winter in a supervisory position. In addition to worrying about meeting year-end goals, you might have the added stress of figuring out what—if anything—to give your employees for the holidays. Some people will tell you that you don’t need to buy your employees gifts (or that you shouldn’t), and while I do think that’s your prerogative, I’m a big fan … [Read more...]
5 Employees to Thank Your Lucky Stars For
Thanksgiving has come and gone, but don't let your gratitude disappear with the last of the leftovers. If you have the following employees on your team, you should be incredibly thankful! So don't forget to let them know just how much you appreciate them. Optimists. Even on Mondays, these employees arrive at work cheerful and energized. They look at challenges as … [Read more...]
Take Accountability for Your Mistakes
Leaders often lament about the lack of accountability in employees. We write about it on this blog often. After all, it's critical that employees take responsibility when they fail, rather than point fingers or place blame on others. But how about when you mess up and it hurts the team? Do you own your mistakes? Or immediately find a way to shift the blame to someone else? … [Read more...]
Lonely Leader Blues? Build a New Network of Confidantes
It is "lonely at the top?” For many, yes. As you move up the ladder in any field, your peer groups grow smaller, and that can be a very lonely feeling. Before you were promoted to a supervisory position, if you had a hard day or a difficult decision you needed to talk through, you probably had a variety of people to turn to: your immediate supervisor, your team members, your … [Read more...]
To Continuing Climbing in Your Career, Start Here
Are you ready to advance in your career? The opportunity could be now. In fact, organizations are seriously concerned about the leadership gap. According to a LinkedIn report "Developing Employees Into Leaders," 85% of executives are not confident in their leadership pipeline, and 86% consider developing new leaders as either “urgent” or “important.” That bodes well for … [Read more...]