Emotions are running high, and people seemingly get angry for no reason. If you’re like most of the people, you managing someone's emotional outburst is the last thing you one to do. While some people seem to have a knack for helping others “back off the edge,” most people feel at least a little bit nervous or apprehensive about such situations, especially new managers who have … [Read more...]
Helping Grief-Stricken Employees
Death is an incredibly tough subject to discuss, and one we are confronted with daily these days, but it's also been an issue that managers and leaders have dealt with for a long time. How should you act when an employee loses a loved one? What should you say? How do you respond without coming across as invasive? When one of your employees suffers the loss of a loved one, … [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...]
When You are Leading Your Former Boss
Leadership can create some interesting personal dynamics. This is one that's not all that uncommon. https://youtu.be/3l87vFTEpds?rel=0&showinfo=0 Tweet it out: Leading your former boss requires conversation, confidence, finesse and plenty of humility. @KevinEikenberry … [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...]
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...]
Beyond The Bickering: 5 Steps to Resolving Conflict In Teams
This is a guest post by Jono Bacon, founder of Jono Bacon Consulting. You can run the most efficient, well-run company in the world, packed with eager team members clad in your branded hoodies, but at some point, conflict is going to rear its ugly head. I have worked with team members who clashed over their contributions to a shared project, with team leads who have battled … [Read more...]
10 Tactics to Manage Workplace Drama
From time to time, most of us have experienced or even contributed to workplace drama. It can take many different forms: People gossip, spread rumors, complain, lash out emotionally, rant about a perceived wrong, purposely exclude others, take sides in conflicts, and so forth. No matter how drama manifests, it can be a highly destructive force inside a company, and leaders must … [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...]