Over the years, I have facilitated a leadership team discussion of the results of their employee engagement surveys and focus groups. The topic of “physical environment” inevitably rises to the surface: The furniture is outdated or even broken, there are … Continue reading
As the song goes, “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas….everywhere you go!” But I gotta tell you, I am just not that big of a fan of this holiday. The main purpose of this solemn event is to … Continue reading
‘Tis the season to be jolly! Or so you would think with all the Christmas decorations already up on display!
I am a huge fan of the song “Why Don’t You Just Meet Me in the Middle?” by Zedd and Maren Morris. Whenever it comes up on the radio, I turn it up and sing along. It’s got a catchy … Continue reading
A colleague mentioned the name of a book he read that made a profound impact on him and his view of the world. It is To Heal a Fractured World: The Ethics of Responsibility by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks. Have you … Continue reading
To prevent the “Rock Phenomenon” from occurring in your team, take the time to mutually agree on the problem. It might not be the most apparent, obvious problem, so go around the table and let everyone weigh in on what … Continue reading
In case you’ve been living under a rock, the “Queen of Soul,” Aretha Franklin, died at age 76, following reports that she was gravely ill. She leaves a lasting legacy with her powerful anthem “R-E-S-P-E-C-T,” which, whenever I work with … Continue reading
The word “accountability” is the latest buzzword going around business. “We don’t have accountability,” executives lament. “We have to hold our people accountable.” Yep, leaders want some of that there accountability…like you can point at it. That you can scoop … Continue reading
I was having dinner last night with a few girlfriends and we were talking about the increasing focus on self. Yes, it’s important to take care of yourself. To be curious about life. To pause, reflect, and meditate. To constantly … Continue reading
Try this experiment: Take one rotten apple and place it in a bowl of fresh new apples. Walk away for a day or two and see what happens to the rest of the apples.
This week, I spoke with emerging leaders at an association leadership development seminar. The topic was on “team leadership” and was one competency among four to earn their “Fellow” designation. One of the participants asked me, “What’s the difference between … Continue reading
When working with clients to develop a team-based culture, the concern that always comes up is – My team is scattered and many work virtually, so how do I build a team under those circumstances?
Imelda, the manager of a geographically dispersed team is pondering how to improve the team’s collaboration. She has some team members in the central office, others in regional offices and still others working from home. She was used to leading … Continue reading
According to educational psychologist Bruce Tuckman, when people come together to form a team, they go through a predictable pattern of behavior to achieve the work or activity. Watch closely and you can see them move forward (and backward) through these … Continue reading
It’s important to celebrate your team’s small and large victories. Here are some ideas to show just how much you care.
