Category Archives: Problem-Solving

Mastering the Push and Pull of Effective Leadership – Part 2

In the last installment, I introduced a study done by Jack Zenger and Joseph Folkman that explored two key approaches to performance management—pulling and pushing.  Here’s how they introduced the concepts: When you see a task that needs to be … Continue reading

Posted in Authority, Coaching, Collaboration, Communication, Competence, Control, Decision-making, Delegation, Employee Development, Feedback, Leadership, Management, Performance Management, Problem-Solving, Productivity, Supervision, Support, Team Culture, Team Dynamics, Team Leadership, Teams, Trust, Uncategorized, Work | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Four C’s – What Teams Need to Master In Order To Be Effective – Part 3 – Collaboration.

I often tell teams— Ya gotta learn how to talk; Ya gotta learn how to fight; and Ya gotta learn how to work together.  These are the essential team skills.  Now… here is one of the eye-opening truths about effective … Continue reading

Posted in Collaboration, Communication, Conflict, Decision-making, Employee Engagement, Feedback, Honesty, Leadership, Management, Organizational Politics, Performance Management, Problem-Solving, Productivity, Supervision, Team Culture, Team Dynamics, Team Leadership, Teams, Uncategorized, Values, Vision | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Four C’s – What Teams Need to Master In Order To Be Effective – Part 2 – Conflict Resolution

I tell teams: Ya gotta learn how to talk to each other. Ya gotta learn how to fight with each other. Conflict in the workplace is not uncommon – it’s normal and inevitable.  It’s only destructive if it’s handled badly—and … Continue reading

Posted in Collaboration, Communication, Conflict, Consensus, Creativity, Decision-making, Emotional Intelligence, Employee Engagement, Leadership, Management, Morale, Point of View, Problem-Solving, Supervision, Team Culture, Team Dynamics, Team Leadership, Teams, Uncategorized, Vision | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Four C’s – What Teams Need to Master in Order to Be Effective – Part 1 – Communication

Companies pay me thousands of dollars to help their teams become more effective.  (That’s part of what I do as a management consultant.)  In this new series, I’m going to give you some of the same information I share with … Continue reading

Posted in Collaboration, Communication, Decision-making, Emotional Intelligence, Employee Engagement, Employee Motivation, Employee Retention, Employee Satisfaction, Feedback, Honesty, Influence, Leadership, Management, Morale, Organizational Politics, Problem-Solving, Supervision, Team Culture, Team Dynamics, Team Leadership, Teams, Trust, Uncategorized, Work | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Hey Leader…Don’t be a JERK!

One of the most disturbing psychological principles I have found in my research is called “emotional contagion.”  It refers to the human tendency to feel and express the emotions displayed by the people around us.  Research on socialization shows that … Continue reading

Posted in Affirmation, Ambition, Authority, Character, Coaching, Collaboration, Communication, Decision-making, Emotional Intelligence, Employee Engagement, Employee Motivation, Encouragement, Feedback, Influence, Innovation, Leadership, Management, Organizational Politics, Power, Problem-Solving, Productivity, Recognition, Self-Awareness, Supervision, Team Culture, Team Dynamics, Team Leadership, Teams, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Practice SHOSHIN

This is a Japanese phrase meaning “beginner’s mind.”  I’ll let Buddhist scholar Shunryu Suzuki explain this concept:  This does not mean a closed mind, but actually an empty mind and a ready mind.  If your mind is empty, it is … Continue reading

Posted in Agility, Collaboration, Creativity, Decision-making, Emotional Intelligence, Employee Engagement, Influence, Innovation, Leadership, Learning, Management, Organizational Politics, Organizations, Personal Success, Planning, Point of View, Problem-Solving, Self-Awareness, Supervision, Team Culture, Team Dynamics, Team Leadership, Teams, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Practice NEMOASHI

“Nemoashi” is a Japanese concept that has direct application in American business culture.  It means respect for individuals and the power of consensus building.  In application, it boils down to a simple political rule of thumb:  Never present something to … Continue reading

Posted in Agility, Collaboration, Communication, Competence, Consensus, Creativity, Decision-making, Events, Feedback, Influence, Innovation, Leadership, Management, Organizational Politics, Organizations, Personal Success, Problem-Solving, Support, Team Culture, Team Dynamics, Teams, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

MORE GREAT Questions Every Boss Needs Answered by Their Subordinates

I have often encouraged leaders with the following wisdom: If you listen to your people, they will hand you leadership success on a silver platter!  If you are willing to listen to their input, your team members will surprise you … Continue reading

Posted in Coaching, Collaboration, Communication, Creativity, Customer Service, Decision-making, Delegation, Employee Development, Employee Engagement, Employee Motivation, Employee Retention, Employee Satisfaction, Feedback, Honesty, Innovation, Leadership, Learning, Management, Morale, Organizations, Performance Management, Problem-Solving, Productivity, Professional Development, Recognition, Supervision, Team Culture, Team Dynamics, Team Leadership, Teams, Work | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

5 Questions Every Boss Needs Answered by Their Subordinates – #4

The first question is the most fundamental: What do you need from me in order for you to do your best work? The second question is built on the first: Do you have the opportunity every day to do what … Continue reading

Posted in Collaboration, Communication, Competence, Creativity, Decision-making, Employee Engagement, Employee Motivation, Employee Retention, Employee Satisfaction, Feedback, Innovation, Leadership, Learning, Management, Morale, Performance Management, Problem-Solving, Productivity, Supervision, Team Culture, Team Dynamics, Team Leadership, Teams, Uncategorized, Work | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

5 Questions Everyone in the Workplace Wants Answered – #4

The first question is the most important and fundamental:  WHAT’S MY JOB? The second question follows the first: HOW WELL AM I DOING IT? The third question is more profound: WHAT AM I PART OF? The fourth question is about … Continue reading

Posted in Agility, Collaboration, Communication, Competence, Creativity, Customer Service, Decision Making, Decision-making, Employee Engagement, Employee Motivation, Leadership, Management, Morale, Organizations, Performance Management, Planning, Problem-Solving, Productivity, Success, Supervision, Team Culture, Team Dynamics, Team Leadership, Teams, Uncategorized, Values, Vision, Work | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment