You've just stepped into this exciting new role as leader, and mixed with the feeling of accomplishment, pride and enthusiasm may be a little apprehension. After all, you've never led a team before, and you may not feel like a true leader just yet, especially if you are managing people who are older or more experienced than you. I'm here to tell you to take it easy on … [Read more...]
9 Communication Tips You Need to Master if You Want to Lead
If you want to be a great manager and leader, heed these 10 important bits of advice: Listen. We all need to spend WAY less time talking and A LOT more time listening. And I don’t mean just keeping your mouth shut for the sake of keeping it shut. I mean really listening. Listen to what’s being said, and what isn’t. Listen for clues about office culture and politics. Listen … [Read more...]
A Better Way to Look at Change
Change. The mere thought makes some of us want to run and hide because change almost always requires extra effort, whether that effort is to log more hours, deal with chaos for a bit, or simply change one's attitude about something. Change takes time, energy and money, and it is usually difficult. It's normal to be skeptical of change. That said, change also creates great … [Read more...]
4 Must-Have Qualities to Succeed as a Leader Today
Rising to the top and being effective when you get there requires much more than a cutthroat attitude and a controlling, authoritative style, says Katherine Ludwig, coauthor along with Ed Hess of Humility Is the New Smart: Rethinking Human Excellence in the Smart Machine Age." In fact, say the authors, more and more studies are finding that the exact opposite traits and … [Read more...]
Bridge the Generation Gap on Your New Team
Managing across the generations is challenging for many leaders, especially new ones. That's why we love the insightful, tip-filled infographic below created by MidAmerica Nazarene University. First, it offers a look at different research-backed perceptions of Baby Boomers, Gen X and Millennials, and then it goes a step further and provides action-oriented tips you can use to … [Read more...]
Turn That Frown Upside Down: Tips for Improving Your Bad Attitude
Do you have a bad attitude? I'm not suggesting always, but sometimes? Most people do. It's hard not to when things are going bad. Besides, you're only human, and you deserve the occasional off day. That said, as a leader, when your attitude stinks, it quickly rubs off on your employees. If everybody's in a funk, productivity is going to sink. So, while you may want to sulk, … [Read more...]
4 Myths That Are Killing Your Chances of Hiring Top Talent
"Good help is hard to find" or is it? Scott Wintrip, staffing expert and author of High Velocity Hiring: How to Hire Top Talent in an Instant says that help is available, but your beliefs about hiring are preventing you from filling jobs quickly and keeping them filled. If you are struggling to fill positions, Wintrip urges you to examine your beliefs about hiring to ensure … [Read more...]
Be Honest: What Legacy Will You Leave Behind?
By Jaimy Ford I lost nearly two hours on Twitter today, "absorbing" all the political news that has come out in the last couple of days. But this isn't a time-management post, nor will I make it a political post. I think most of us endure enough of that as it is. Nope, this post is about legacy, because I kept seeing the word pop up in my Twitter feed. People were … [Read more...]
Why All Great Leaders are Salespeople at Heart
Leaders are salespeople—and great leaders are great salespeople. You may not buy my idea (after all, I am trying to sell it to you). If you don’t buy this premise it’s probably because you have some beliefs/images/thoughts about sales people that contradict your beliefs/images/thoughts about leaders. If you already buy my idea then you will love what’s to come. If you … [Read more...]
Training is an Event. Learning is a Process
I say that often. It’s part of my personal philosophy, and it’s part of my business philosophy. Let me explain. People around the world (you included) buy learning materials, books, audio programs, and webinars and attend lectures and workshops every day. Those learning options exist whether you want to learn about leadership, leopards or being a lifeguard. Companies and … [Read more...]