Delegation is one of the most important skills for leaders to master. That's right, it's a skill. If you don't get this first question right from the outset, your efforts at delegating could be doomed to fail. https://youtu.be/pfxlM9in1gE?rel=0&showinfo=0 Tweet it out: Do you know why you are delegating? The wrong answer will lead to terrible results. (Hint, it isn't … [Read more...]
The Power of Thinking Good Thoughts
In his novel Shogun, James Clavell says: To think bad thoughts is really the easiest thing in the world. If you leave your mind to itself it will spiral down into ever increasing unhappiness. To think good thoughts, however, requires effort. This is one of the things that discipline – training – is about.” That is a powerful thought and one that is incredibly important for us … [Read more...]
What is Your Leadership Contribution?
I’m a big fan of questions, both reflective and projective questions, to help us learn, grow, plan and succeed. Here is a question stem I conduct for myself and one I encourage leaders at all levels to conduct on a regular basis. It starts with the simple question: What is my contribution? This question stem leads to some useful questions for us to consider as leaders. … [Read more...]
Overcome Your Distraction Addiction
There are lots of things people become addicted to. I believe one of the most prevalent isn’t ever mentioned in the same breath with the addictions you thought of as you were reading the first sentence. What can we do to deny the allure of the distraction, regain our focus, and maximize our productivity? Good questions. Here are some answers for you. Stop multi-tasking You … [Read more...]
Get Better Results From Your Meetings
Meetings CAN be a waste of time and they can be the biggest productivity and engagement tool in any organization. The difference in outcome rests first and foremost on the shoulders and hands and mind of you as a leader. So think of your very last meeting with your team, and ask yourself: How productive was the meeting? Was that normal or the exception? How would … [Read more...]
Coaching is More Than Just Sharing Your Knowledge
You have likely risen to your current role because you have some expertise. That expertise could be in the technical nature of your team’s work, for example, you were a great sales person, so you were promoted to sales manager, or you were the top engineer so you were promoted to chief engineer. You may have proven to have superior leadership skills so you advanced, or you may … [Read more...]
Help Employees Find Purpose in Their Work
Most people leave (or considering leaving) their jobs because the job lacks purpose and meaning, according to Gallup's State of the American Workplace. With talent shortages already at record highs, you can't afford to lose your top talent, but how much of a role can you play in helping others find meaning in their work? It turns out, quite a lot, and it's worth your … [Read more...]
The Truth About Work-Life Balance
Summer is here, so it's a good time to think about work-life balance. Unfortunately, you and your employees are so busy and feel pulled in so many directions that you all may find the idea of work-life balance elusive, and with good reason. Technology makes us available and "on" 24/7/365. Our phones tether us to work. Our minds wander to the job at the most inopportune … [Read more...]
Become a Strong Delegator (And Take Back Your Time)
Delegation is something that every leader has feelings about. Some feel they do it well. Some don’t even know where to start. Some have seen a good example of it. Some feel like every time someone has “delegated” to them, it felt like they’d just been dumped on. Some think it is something they should do. Some resist it. Regardless of your feelings and experiences, there … [Read more...]
5 Ways to Build Your Confidence as a New Leader
If, as a new leader, you're feeling nervous, overwhelmed and out of your element, you may need to "fake it until you make it." In other words, you may need to pretend you're confident until you actually feel that way. But how do you go about doing that? It's not about strutting around like a peacock or proving to your employees that you have all the authority and power. In … [Read more...]