Work and fun. Maybe you've never thought about those two words in the same sentence. There are certainly people who don’t equate those two ideas together, or while they wish it could be true to have fun at work, they’ve never really experienced it. My premise is that work can be fun, at least some of the time and it should be that way. This isn’t some new-age, fluffy, … [Read more...]
5 Tips to Rein In Workplace Stress
Workplace stress is a productivity killer. When stress is overwhelming, employees miss more days of work (either due to actual sickness or because they need a mental break). Conflict is higher, while collaboration sinks. Overall job satisfaction suffers, and if the stress is consistent, turnover skyrockets. The opinion that "stress comes with the territory" won't serve you … [Read more...]
Work-Life Balance is More Than Just a Cliché
Hopefully, you found time this weekend to relax, have some fun, spend time doing something you love, and re-energize before this week started. I talk about the importance of relaxation often on this blog, because I think it is critical to leaders' success, especially new leaders who likely are feeling a totally different set of pressures than their more tenured … [Read more...]
Ethical Leadership: Don’t Abandon Your Core Values to Do the Job
My definition of "ethical leadership" is one that I have synthesized over time, and I am sure draws heavily from various resources I've read, experiences I've had and stories I've heard from colleagues, clients and friends. Here is how I define Ethical Leadership: Knowing your core values and having the courage to act on them on behalf of the common good. There is much I … [Read more...]
5 Toxic Words or Phrases You Should Avoid at Work
Using the wrong word or phrase can make you look unprofessional, unintelligent or even incompetent. Make sure that you aren't using words that hurt your career or advancement potential. Crystal Barnett, a senior human resource specialist with Insperity recommends steering clear of these words and phrases if you want to climb the ladder at work. “Honestly." You should share … [Read more...]
3 Leadership Mistakes That Make You Look Really Immature
Young supervisors face their own unique set of challenges. One of them, however, is often self-imposed: Some bosses are perceived as immature not because they are young, but because they act young. Eliminate these three immature behaviors to garner more respect from your employees, co-workers and boss: Blowing up at your team. Toddlers have tantrums; managers should … [Read more...]
The Valentine’s Gift to Give to Your Team
Elementary school and Valentine’s Day. It's probably a day you remember well. Everyone arrives with a bag filled with Valentine’s Cards, signed and sealed with names on the outside of the envelope. Secretly, or not so secretly, this is a day many have long been awaiting. Will I get a card from Bobby or Andrew or Betty or Ashleigh? And if I do (or if the “rules” state that … [Read more...]
Make Memories, Experience Joy, and Rejuvenate This Holiday Season
Today's post is less about teaching you to overcome the challenges of being a first-time leader and more about helping you enrich your personal life. Thinking about things from a personal perspective seems especially relevant at this time of the year, and so I offer you this food for thought: “Memories are a treasure that can’t be taken from us. Create them regularly, … [Read more...]
Does a Company’s Reputation Rest on the Shoulders of the Leader?
Karen Tiber Leland is a branding expert and author of The Brand Mapping Strategy: Design, Build and Accelerate Your Brand. When you think Facebook, you think Mark Zuckerberg. When you think Amazon.com, you think Jeff Bezos. Those and other examples of celebrity corporate leaders show that a CEO’s personal brand can work in concert with the corporation’s brand, helping … [Read more...]
Eradicate Your Obstacles With This Thinking Game
Would you like a way to get better ideas, faster? Would you like to nearly automatically tap into your subconscious brain to help you solve your vexing problems? Would you like a tool that would help your team think more clearly? What if I told you that tool was free, except for the five minutes of time you had to invest? But rather than thinking about it like a … [Read more...]