The previous post detailed some strategies and tips for creating a productive team. In this post, we’ll look at what is needed to be a productive team leader. You can have the best, most productive and committed team members in the world, but without a good team leader, it will all fall apart. So what are the qualities of a good team leader? Qualities of a Good Team Lea…Read More
The saying “too many cooks spoil the broth” is true both in the kitchen and in the business environment. And it becomes obvious when teams are formed without a clear understanding of how a team should function. Too often, it devolves into a battle over who is in charge or what ideas should be given the most merit. This leads managers to decide that adopting the team ap…Read More
In the previous post, I covered the concept of company culture: what it is and why it’s important to develop one that supports your company goals. But what if your culture is a mass of confusing or contradictory statements—or worse, so toxic that managers and staff jump ship on a regular basis? Is it possible to course-correct a negative culture in mid-stream? Yes, but…Read More
You’ve developed your company’s slogan and have a tagline that appears on every marketing piece and press release. But what about your corporate culture? Can you describe it? Do you even have one? And if you do, is it the one that you want? Make no mistake, whether you’ve actively created one or just allowed it to happen, your company does have a culture. It’s up t…Read More
If you’ve got an alphabet-soup of generations at your business, you’ve probably struggled with making your message fit your audience. However, the problem may not be with the content, but with the recipients: specifically, how your message is being received after it has gone through their “gen filters.” You Say “Po-Tay-To,” I say “Po-Tah-To” Each generation…Read More
To have long-term viability and growth potential, businesses must be living, organic beings, able to adjust and adapt as the world around them change. Successful business owners know this and put a great stock in proactive approaches and management strategies that keep the operation from being “stuck in the mud,” organizationally speaking. And yet, sometimes those very…Read More
CEOs focus on numbers to track how well their business is doing. ROI, profit and loss, assets and liabilities: you name it and there is a chart, formula or accounting spreadsheet that gives them the figure they want, or in some cases, not want. But one number that might not make it on their list but should is the one measuring employee engagement. Why does that one matter?…Read More
“You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink” may be a cliché, but like so many old sayings, there is truth behind it, something you have undoubtedly realized when you’ve tried to get your team pulling in the same direction. Even the word “team” conjures up an image of horses harnessed together, all pulling in the same direction. But too ofte…Read More
It’s your company. You know how you want it to operate. You have a vision and a goal, supported by a management style that you have built over decades. And it has served you well—until lately. You’ve noticed some weak areas in your company’s operations, and it appears that the performance of your team just isn’t up to your standards. Your solution? You’re going…Read More
I have had several conversations over the last couple of weeks with clients, partners, and colleagues about the concept of building connection. The context has been related to inspiring others, energizing the workforce, and building sustainable partnerships. The short story is that getting connected is essential to maximizing effectiveness. The case of the technical and op…Read More