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...]
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...]
Take the WIRED Approach to Improve Communication
When we talk about burnout from a leadership perspective, it's often in terms of how to recognize and treat it, both of which are highly important. However, what we want to focus on today takes a more proactive approach to prevent burnout. Especially in times of stress, whether that stress is associated with a work intiative that requires extreme focus and long days for a … [Read more...]
Respond Assertively, Not Aggressively
The basic difference between being assertive and being aggressive is how our words and behavior affect the rights and well being of others. - Sharon Anthony Bower 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 … [Read more...]
Kind Words at Work: 16 Ways to Communicate with Empathy at Work
The pandemic turned work-life on its head. We’re caught in the tumble load of a never-ending workday, pinballing between Zoom and Slack, duking it out with the family for WiFi, dishes piling up around us in our office ... er ... kitchen, and just trying to hold it together while we just. take. a. minute. to. remember. what. day. it. is. It’s a high-stress moment. That stress … [Read more...]
5 Practical Steps You Can Take to Reduce Tension Between Co-workers
Tension between co-workers is one of the more common sources of emotional “pressure” build-up for people. Left unaddressed for long enough, the pressure can reach a boiling point. Fortunately, you can do something about it before the tension becomes a major conflict. 1. Create opportunities for people to better understand and appreciate their behavioral differences and … [Read more...]
5 Ways to Recharge Your Mind, Spirit and Productivity
As you struggle to balance your work and life, two things you're likely desiring are more time and more energy. Especially, now when the lines between work and life tends is blurry—you can feel short on both. As you worry about not having enough time to do everything you want to do, your stress levels climb and your energy levels plummet. And that creates this vicious cycle … [Read more...]
When You Become a Leader Among Peers
Promotions are amazing. After all, they validate your ability and leadership skills. However, many first-time supervisors struggle with the transition from being "just one of the team" to leading the team. It can be hard to imagine managing people you once saw as friends, and you can worry about whether they will accept you as their leader. Some managers aim to overcome the … [Read more...]
Using Apology to De-escalate a Conflict
Apology is a powerful — and often underused — conflict resolution tool. One reason for not apologizing that I often hear in my work with clients is the concern that apologizing either totally admits fault for the conflict or reveals a weakness. While those concerns may be legitimate in some situations, they are overblown in most cases. Conflicts usually escalate because … [Read more...]
7 Fundamentals of Successful Problem Solving
Everyone has problems. Big problems, little problems, work problems, relationship problems. Pick an area of your life, and you probably have at least one issue you are dealing with. When you step into management, you pretty much become a professional problem solver. And if you haven't received any kind of training on the subject (like many first-time supervisors), the role … [Read more...]