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...]
Don’t “Should” on People
Do you ever find yourself frustrated because people … Did not do things they should have done? Did not know what they should have known? Did what they should not have done? Said something they should not have said? Did not speak up when they should have? I’m guessing that your answer is “Yes” to each of the above. If you have not yet experienced these … [Read more...]
The Key to Making Better Decisions
You work in the real world, a messy place filled with exceptions, complications and people. When you are making decisions in real-world organizations, you must factor the following into your decision-making process, if you want to make the best decisions: The relative urgency of the decision. How fast must it be made? When the urgency level is high and you need to get on … [Read more...]
A Lesson I Learned the Hard Way: Data Tells and Stories Sell
Early in my career, I worked in the plastics industry as a process and product development engineer. At the time, I had a degree in chemical engineering, and I had just completed service as a nuclear engineering officer in the U.S. Navy. I had a pretty good technical background, and I knew almost nothing about polymers. This lack of knowledge created a bit of a problem for … [Read more...]
Being Thankful for Criticism
Thanksgiving is Thursday, and today I am asking you to choose to be grateful for something that you may have never said "Thanks" for: criticism. Especially criticism that comes from your employees. When you are a new leader, I know it's hard to hear that you aren't doing well or that your ideas are flawed. Hearing that from people who report to you can be infuriating. … [Read more...]
5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before a Tough Conversation
For leaders, new and experienced, having difficult conversations with employees is one of the most challenging aspects of the job. It's both hard to control your own emotions and respond appropriately to employees, when they become emotional. The key to keeping the conversation on track and constructive starts with going into it with the right state of mind. To do so, … [Read more...]
5 Steps to Improve Engagement During Meetings
This is a guest post by Elise Keith. The coffee date with your personal hero, and hopefully, future mentor. The make-or-break sales demo with that perfect-fit client. The last-ditch attempt to mend a broken partnership. When everyone in the room understands what’s at stake, engagement is automatic. We don’t worry about engagement in those situations. Instead, we focus … [Read more...]
5 Simple Steps to Sell Your Requests More Successfully
This is a guest post by Dr. Cindy McGovern. Every school teaches reading, writing and math as the most basic life skills that will help children grow into successful adults. Selling is also a basic skill, yet only students who choose to study sales or marketing learn how to do it in school. The fact is, we sell as often—or more often—than we use our math skills. We sell … [Read more...]
Enhancing Your Social and Soft Skills Can Make You A Better Leader
This is a guest post by Career and Executive Coach, Dean Karrel. Dialogue about the importance of soft skills and social skills in business settings is nothing new. There have been books written on the subject, articles on business websites, and many stories in magazines. You’ve probably received emails about seminars or courses offered at local colleges. If you attend any … [Read more...]
Know What Your Employees Actually Think of You
Are you a great leader? How would your employees answer that question? One of the smartest things you can do for your development as a leader is to gain a real understanding of how your employees view you as a leader. The only way to do that is to ask. Here are several questions to ask them, preferably anonymously so they feel free to be completely honest. Consider using an … [Read more...]