One of earliest tools I learned how to use growing up on a farm was a tape measure. There are several reasons for that. It is often used, using it won’t hurt you (think hammer, saw or torch!), and my Dad carried a small one in his pocket. As a boy, emulating Dad was always a good idea. I don’t use a tape measure every day now, and you may not either, but the idea of … [Read more...]
8 Steps for Creating and Maintaining Team Ownership of Ideas and Goals
Results and productivity are higher when people are committed to their work, and higher levels of commitment or engagement increase job satisfaction, safety performance and focus, while reducing on-the-job stress and turnover. But how does a new leader increase employees' commitment? Isn't that something employees have to do for themselves? Actually, both you and employees play … [Read more...]
9 Bad Habits to Avoid at Work in 2016
On this blog, we often talk about what you can do to improve employees' negative behaviors. However, today, we're going to make you the focus. Even the best leaders possess work habits that irritate their employees and coworkers, while making them less effective at both their jobs and their ability to lead others. What bad habits are holding you back? "Achieving success … [Read more...]
[Infographic]: A Star Wars Guide to Achieving Your Goals
As 2015 came to an end, the release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens was definitely the event of the season. The mega block buster has exceeded $851 million already in sales, and that number certainly will climb. Given the success of the movie, and since January is the time of year when we all set goals, it's only fitting to apply a bit of the sage advice from the Star Wars … [Read more...]
Important Innovation … or Lipstick on a Pig? 3 Questions to Ask to Decide Which Ideas to Keep and Which to Toss
All organizations want to foster innovation. After all, it's how we grow, improve, delight our customers, and—yes—keep getting paid. In today's rapidly changing global landscape, our ability to come up with new ideas is what keeps us relevant. Yet, all innovations are not created equal. So, how to separate the "WOW!" from the "Eh, not now"? This is a question that … [Read more...]
Finding Your Bigness Balance: 7 Ways to Properly Set the Size of Your Goals
This is the time of year when we're all thinking about setting goals and making resolutions. The good news is that there are hundreds of books, websites and other resources that teach systems for setting goals. The better news is that most, if not all of them work, if you do the work needed to make them work. The bad news, however, is that all those resources don't tackle … [Read more...]
4 Daily Decisions That Will Change Your Life
We all make choices. Some are huge, like these: Whether to finish high school Whether to go to college Where to go to college What job(s) to take Whom to date/marry Where to live Whether or when to have children They change the trajectory of your life, and ultimately play a huge role in the person you become. However, I personally don't think the major … [Read more...]
In This Busy World, Find Time to Really Think
Our calendars are full, and our to-do lists are long. The desire to accomplish more every day keeps us busy to the point of being overwhelmed. We argue that our time is limited and too valuable to spend it thinking. "I just have too much to do," we say, and we carry on in a non-stop flurry of action. It is precisely because of all the tasks, stimulus and diversions that it … [Read more...]
The Master Game: A Perspective on Success from Michael Gerber
This is a guest post by Michael E. Gerber There once was a man named DeRopp who wrote a book titled The Master Game. No need to discuss his book or his philosophy here, other than to say it had to do with the shaping of one’s life and options through a lens few of us normal people have ever looked through before. It brings to mind a question many people have asked me over … [Read more...]
Quick Tip: Retain Employees
Employees need to understand the connection between their jobs and organizational strategy if they are going to stick around for the long haul. The more engaged employees are with their organization, the longer their tenure. Improve retention by ensuring that employees:Understand your corporate strategy.See clearly where they fit into that strategy.Know how their efforts … [Read more...]