How to get employees to do their job? That’s the biggest question I get when training managers. One new manager told me about a difficult situation he was facing. He was dealing with a challenge common to many managers –
Managing High Performers Who Make Their Own Rules
Managing high performers who discard company policies in favor of their own rules can be challenging. A manager at a recent leadership training shared an issue she was having with one and asked for my advice on managing high performers who
Are First-Time Managers Set Up to Fail?
The latest issue of Precast, Inc. magazine features an article on how to help first-time managers succeed and thrive. In the article, I share that clarity of responsibilities can help curb the 50-60% failure rate of first-time managers. Failure doesn’t
Are you open to some feedback?
Has anyone ever asked you if you were open to some feedback? If so, you were probably thinking ‘No.’ but what you actually said was ‘Sure.’ Then you braced yourself for the brilliant observation that was about to be shared
Employee Recognition That Gets Results
Over the last 5 years, I’ve had the privilege of training thousands of managers and we always talk about the importance of employee recognition. I always ask ‘Is there anyone here who thinks there is way too much appreciation going
Assertive Communication: Focus on Facts, Not Feelings
I was in Milwaukee recently working with a group of managers to develop assertive communication skills. We started by discussing the role personality plays into communication styles and everyone took an assessment. A personality assessment provides critical insight into your
Empowered Employees are Happy Employees
Empowered employees are happy employees? I believe it. The other day, I was talking with a guy I know who works as an attorney for a large healthcare organization. I asked him how his job was going and he said
Decision Making Secrets of Effective Leaders
Have you ever been in a situation where a boss made a decision and didn’t explain the reasons behind it even after being asked? If so, then you might understand the anger, frustration, and disgust my friend felt when his
Can I Be a Leader?
A woman in a leadership seminar I was teaching in Denver asked, ‘Can I be a leader?’ Great question. Are leaders born? Are they made? Generally speaking, leadership is a skill. That’s good news because it means leadership is open
Management Pro or Micro-Manager?
I was speaking at a management seminar in Fargo last week and a topic came up that turned into an interesting discussion on perceptions. Since this is a common situation that you might be facing, I thought I’d share the