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...]
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...]
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...]
4 Ways to Promote Remote Team Collaboration
Maybe when you started your leadership gig you had no plans of managing a virtual team, but the pandemic forced you to adapt quickly. Maybe you were hired specifically to manage a virtual team or a hybrid team, with some employees on site and others working remotely. Or maybe as times have changed, your team has morphed in to all or partially virtual. Regardless how you got … [Read more...]
7 Old School Workplace Strengths that Are Now Weaknesses
Ed Hess, author of Hyper-Learning: How to Adapt to the Speed of Change, says that many of the skills and mindsets that were once prized and sought after have actually become liabilities. Here he identifies seven skills and attitudes that not long ago might have gotten you a corner office—but may now get you fired: Command-and-control leadership style Expecting people to … [Read more...]
Encourage Employees to Take More Initiative
Empowerment is a great thing, especially during times of change, upheaval and disruption. Empowered employees show greater commitment, stay more engaged, and create better results. Empowered employees take more initiative and get more done than employees who work in a fear-based, command-and-control environment. As a new supervisor, you hear and read about these … [Read more...]
Resources: Managing Negativity Now and Later
Most people right now are feeling the full weight of the COVID-19 pandemic. They’re anxious or scared. They may be feeling frustrated with the stay at home measures. Some are experiencing financial problems. Some may have even lost a loved one to the virus. Most of us are dealing with emotional highs and lows, and that can affect even the most positive people’s attitudes. To … [Read more...]
How First-Time Leaders Can Effectively Manage a Crisis
This is a guest post by HARRY HUTSON and MARTHA JOHNSON. Being a new manager or a first-time leader can be a wild ride. Some days your heart is in your throat with trepidation, and on others it is bursting with the pride of accomplishment. Day-to-day responsibilities and task assignments are in your face. No time for what-ifs, strategic thinking, or long-term … [Read more...]
Tired of Being Ignored? Be Heard and Understood With This Advice
Do you ever feel like no one is listening to you at work? Maybe employees don't follow instructions or your boss doesn't quite get onboard with what you're saying? Joe McCormack, author of NOISE: Living and Leading When Nobody Can Focus believes there is probably a very good reason employees are tuning you out, specifically: You've forgotten to answer WIIFM? (What's in … [Read more...]