People put up with a lot of quirks in their leaders and coworkers just to reduce the drama and keep the peace. But lack of sincerity grates on the nerves. It’s like trying to satisfy hunger with cotton candy. Two good questions to ask yourself periodically: What communication sound insincere? How can I become more […]
6 Ways Leaders Communicate Authentically to Inspire Others Read More »
Leaders like to think they know when and how to be direct. They should. Direct communication is good. Damaging communication, on the other hand, can destroy a relationship, partnership, sale, or reputation forever. Why does one listener consider a comment “over-the-top” disrespectful, while another listener interprets the same remark as just “firm,” straightforward, even prudent?
Is Your Communication Direct—Or Downright Damaging? Read More »
At some point in your career, you’re going to find yourself leading a team, department, division, or organization where you’re working with an employee who irritates you. Sometimes you know why. Often you don’t. When analyzing that negative gut reaction to yourself, you may label that person “slick,” “arrogant,” “self-righteous,” “lazy,” “pretentious,” “sniveling,” “aggressive,” “presumptuous,”
4 Ways to Lead People You Don’t Like Read More »
Piles of applications and résumés represent time to sort through applicants, attempting to match a position with a person’s expertise and skills. It would be so much faster if the unsuitable job applicants walked in with a label on their forehead: “Reject.” Then you could spend time with the best qualified candidates. The top candidates
Are You About to Hire the Wrong Job Applicant? 8 Signs Read More »
Nobody I know proudly brags about being a micromanager. Frankly, most vehemently deny the label. Yet the workplace overflows with them. Here’s how to spot them on your team before you give them even bigger opportunities to frustrate the people who work with them. And if deep down you fear you may be falling into
6 Signs That You’re a Micromanager Read More »
On the good days as leader, you feel like a winning coach at the Super Bowl. On the bad days, you feel as though you’re skiing just a few feet ahead of an avalanche. Most days fall somewhere in between. To increase your chances of more good days than bad, check your leadership aptitudes and
6 Measures of Emotional Maturity as a Leader Read More »
Many great corporate and political leaders will tell you that they watched and admired a parent, older sibling, or another family member or friend speak their mind and take charge of difficult situations. In other words, they saw first-hand the impact of leadership communication to calm a storm or controversy. Speaking out about issues and
Finding Your Voice As a Leader Read More »
As a leader, you create the culture that either helps your teams thrive––or barely survive. Obviously, no leader intentionally stalls or stymies a team. But even the best leaders occasionally make mistakes that freeze their people rather than free them to excel. Here’s how that happens: Avoid These 5 Mistakes Leaders Make That Cripple Teams
5 Leader Mistakes That Cripple Teams Read More »
In a world where someone can walk into a restaurant, shopping mall, or school and open fire on hundreds of innocent people, where jobs disappear overnight, where cancer appears suddenly on a scan, people grasp for order, stability, and control. They demand the same from communication coming to them––the email, instruction, or announcement should make
3 Tips to Communication Change That Aren’t Common Practice Read More »
Clark, my client, stopped by our office unexpected: “I have good news and bad news. The good news first. . . . A couple of partners and I just bought a small telecom—a spinoff of the division I managed before we all got laid off.” “Sounds like great news,” I said. “Maybe. If we can
3 Strategies to Connect as a Leader Read More »
