As I work with frontline leaders in our Bud to Boss workshops, I frequently hear this concern after we discuss a coaching approach, change management strategy, or communication technique: “Guy, I hear what you’re saying, and it all sounds great. I just can’t do that with my team.” It is not always verbalized the same way. It is the same basic … [Read more...]
Communication: The Secret to Inspired Leadership
A guest piece by Colonel Carla D. Bass, author of Write to Influence! Think about it – you instinctively know the attributes of a good leader: courage to make bold decisions, taking care of your people, empathy, gratitude, communication, etc. Well, I disagree with the aforementioned list. Why? It places communication on par with the other traits – … [Read more...]
Engaging Employees for the Right Reasons
by Kevin Eikenberry Ok, you've all heard about the importance of engaging your employees. In fact, you've probably heard it directly from me or Guy if you've been hanging around here very long. Here’s some data to “prove” it though. Here's what a survey from Maclean and Company recently found: A disengaged employee costs an organization approximately $3,400 for every … [Read more...]
What Leaders Can Learn from Spiders
by Kevin Eikenberry It's that time of year when we celebrate ghosts and witches and all things Halloween-y. Most of those things we consider "scary" aren't real, so they don't really make us all that fearful. Spiders, on the other hand... Scary or a work of art? If you aren't too afraid of spiders, the next time you have a chance, stop and examine a spider web. What you … [Read more...]
Is Your Organization Resilient Enough to Survive The Next Disruption?
Eventually, a major crisis will impact your company. It’s not a matter of “if” but of “when.” And while COVID-19 is the most obvious disruptor, it’s certainly not the last. We all face a new era of uncertainty, volatility, and disruption. Organizations are rocked by technological shake-ups, shifting consumer habits, and political and social unrest, not to mention internal … [Read more...]
Being a Long-Distance Role Model
by Kevin Eikenberry As a new or front-line leader, you might think about what it means to be a role model leader. If so, you are thinking about something very important. Many people will say they want to be a role model as a leader, but the fact is that once you are in the role, people are immediately watching what you are modeling. The question isn’t how to role model – … [Read more...]
How to Determine Engagement When Your Team is Remote
by Kevin Eikenberry Of all the things a new or frontline leader must think about and attend to, employee engagement might not be at the top of this list. We could talk about why it is important, but suffice it to say, it needs to be on our radar. While getting a handle on that might have seemed hard in the past, now that you may not be able to even see your people at work, … [Read more...]
5 Ways Aspiring Leaders Succeed in a Transparent World
by Walt Rakowich Alfred West has been CEO of SEI Investments since 1968. Warren Buffett has run Berkshire Hathaway since 1970, longer if you count the years when it was in (and transitioning out of) the textile business. And Gerald Shreiber has been CEO of J&J Snack Foods since 1971 when he purchased an ailing pretzel company at a court auction. According to research by … [Read more...]
Helping Your Hybrid Team Members Thrive
by Kevin Eikenberry Many people are talking about the future of work and talking about hybrid teams. Time spent helping build and lead hybrid teams is important (here is the Master Class I created on this topic), but success requires more than that. Remember that your hybrid team is made up of hybrid team members. The question today is how can you help each of your … [Read more...]
The Future of Work Is More Than a Policy Change
by Kevin Eikenberry Now that you are a leader get used to your role in implementing new policies. As long as there are organizations, there have been policies and procedures, and I don’t really expect that to change. Today your organization may be asking you to implement policies related to hybrid and/or flexible work. While there is a policy – the future of work is more … [Read more...]