As a new leader, how much time do you spend each day building, nurturing and maintaining professional relationships with upper management? Your coworkers? What about your employees? Too many people reach a leadership position and decide to focus only on building relationships with those people up the ladder or on the same rung as them. They seem to think that their new … [Read more...]
The Power and Pitfalls of Competition
Admittedly, I am a competitive person in just about every facet of life. Ask those who’ve known me my whole life and you might even hear some stories of competitive board and card game play that I’d prefer not be repeated. While I was taught to be (and think I mostly am) a good sport, my focus was most always on winning. And looking back, I can point to both the power and the … [Read more...]
5 Ways Leaders Can Declare Their Independence
Here in the states we're preparing to celebrate Independence Day. So if you are from the United States, I wish you a Happy Independence Day! However, even if you aren't from the USA, I want to encourage all of you to officially declare your independence as a leader (even if you are new to it)! What do I mean? After all, as leaders, aren’t we actually pretty dependent on our … [Read more...]
When You Are Leading People Older Than You
At some point or time, you'll likely work with someone who is older than you or manage others who are or will have to deal with this situation. In today's video, I'll give some tips to help lead through this situation with less stress and more success. https://youtu.be/LfyA2drBdLI?rel=0&controls=0&showinfo=0 Tweet it out: We can lead those older than us and still … [Read more...]
10 Roles Every Leader Must Fill
Most leaders aren't ready when they step into a leadership role, so if you are feeling out of sorts, don't worry just yet. Everything takes time. Instead of worrying that you will never get up to speed, focus your energy on improving. Here are the 1o roles every leader must fill (even the new ones) that are most important to the success of the team and organization as a … [Read more...]
6 Ways to Defeat Complacency
Complacency is all around us, but it (and the problems it brings) can be especially noticeable in the workplace. Think about it. How many employees fly under the radar doing just enough to meet the requirements of the job? How many long-time customers did you suddenly lose this year? How often do you see a dip or lull after a really successful period or outstanding … [Read more...]
5 Limits Leaders Must Challenge
We all have limits. Those boundaries beyond which we just don’t go. After all, it wouldn’t be safe. It wouldn’t be prudent. It wouldn’t be easy. We set limits for safety purposes or for logical purposes, but most often, we set them because we need an excuse. We are scared or lazy or we lack confidence in our own abilities, so we need a reason (an excuse) to not try … [Read more...]
Dealing with a Know It All
Today's question is about a behavior that most all leaders can relate to. Whether it's someone on the team currently or a previous team member - at some point or another we find ourselves in the presence of the "Know It All". Here are some tips for managing these behaviors. https://youtu.be/Gkh_fyozcbk?rel=0&controls=0&showinfo=0 There are two types of … [Read more...]
6 Steps to Improve Slumping Morale
You take over a team for the first time, and despite being very excited about your promotion and this new opportunity, you can't help be feel a little dread. Why? Because morale is seriously low on your new team. Major upheaval, layoffs, the previous manager or other negative factors have your employees feeling low, unmotivated, and maybe a little resentful. That is killing … [Read more...]
6 Ways to Work and Lead Differently in the Summer
“Perfect song on the radio Sing along ’cause it’s one we know It’s a smile, it’s a kiss It’s a sip of wine, it’s summertime Sweet summertime” That’s the chorus of Kenny Chesney’s hit song "Summertime." And while those might not be the words you’d use, and while the calendar says it isn’t summer quite yet, if you live in the United States, you pretty much know ... it’s … [Read more...]