If you live in the United States, you likely know it is Election Day. Direct mail, yard signs, neighborhood canvassers, radio and television ads and more – all add up to an important day in the life of a democracy. This post isn’t about politics, and while I have often written about what we can learn from politicians as leaders, the lesson today is different. The lesson … [Read more...]
Should You Ever Be Silly?
As leaders, we're often convinced that we need to be serious and put together all the time, but is that realistic or even recommended? I believe a certain amount of silliness and playfulness belongs in leadership. In part because being a great leader requires you to be transparent and real. All real human beings laugh, are playful and have fun sometimes, don’t they? Have … [Read more...]
Make Your Own Luck
"The harder I work, the luckier I get." I agree with that thought. I just don’t think it tells the whole story. For example, these actions can help you generate some luck at work, at home or in any part of your life. Say “Go for it” more, and “What if it doesn’t work?” less to yourself and those around you. Learn from and even celebrate mistakes. Read … [Read more...]
Putting Out Fires: Stop, Drop and Role
I’ve worked with well-meaning, highly-principled leaders and managers for years. When the topic of coaching and developing their employees comes up, I often hear that they know coaching is important, they want to coach more, but they don’t have time because they are too busy “putting out fires.” Right now, that probably has never been more true. The pandemic put many leaders … [Read more...]
Motivate Yourself With a New Routine
Things have been hectic, full of uncertainty and pretty scary for months. Now, the days of summer are here, beckoning us outside. Even the normally super productive and focused leaders among us are struggling right now to manage all the change and emotions. So, if you are like so many people right now who are feeling some unease and distress, it could be because your daily … [Read more...]
Why Now Is the Right Time to Focus on YOUR Development
"Work from home" may be in place for much longer than originally anticipated for many organizations, and that could be by choice. Many leaders now see the value in allowing employees to telecommute. Others, who pivoted quickly and shored up their organization's IT capabilities and security so that they could operate virtually, may not be so quick to rush back to the office, … [Read more...]
Focus Your Employees on What’s Important Right Now
For years I've asked people, "What's the good word today?" My intention always was to get people thinking about something positive, and if they were thinking something positive, to share it with me so I could benefit too. Unfortunately far too often people can't come up with a good word, or in many cases, a word at all. Hearing negative feedback isn't easy, especially for … [Read more...]
When Should We Train New Leaders?
It's not a matter of if you're going to train your new leaders. It's a matter of when and how. Those are the questions I'm going to respond to in this video. https://youtu.be/QGk_YQlbCEY?rel=0&showinfo=0 Tweet it out: Being a new supervisor may be the biggest transition of a career. Make sure you are supporting their growth. @KevinEikenberry … [Read more...]
How to Build Their Confidence
Success isn't all about building and developing a skill set. Much of it is about having a positive mindset. To that end, your job as a leader is helping people establish that mindset. Here's how you can do that. https://youtu.be/N6FjVW9pxCg?rel=0&showinfo=0 Tweet it out: If you want your new supervisors to succeed, help them build their confidence as much as their … [Read more...]
When You are Leading Your Former Boss
Leadership can create some interesting personal dynamics. This is one that's not all that uncommon. https://youtu.be/3l87vFTEpds?rel=0&showinfo=0 Tweet it out: Leading your former boss requires conversation, confidence, finesse and plenty of humility. @KevinEikenberry … [Read more...]