Coaching News
Directions in Leadership — Turning the wheel or tapping the rudder
I have interesting clients. Not “interesting” as in some Sigmund Freud shrink, scratching his chin and saying “Hmmm, interesting,” as we lie on the couch droning on and on about the deeply-rooted events of our drama-filled childhood… more like “interesting” as opposed...
“I Have a Great Job!” …said almost no one ever.
A really short read for some of you today: Everyone who has a great job, raise your hand. Okay, the three of you with your hands up can go back to checking your email. Everyone else should keep reading. If you’re not in a great job, how about those of you with a good...
Clueless is as Clueless Does …Dunning-Kruger vs Johari
I’m going to catch shit for this by leadership academics, but I catch shit for a lot of things I write, so… The big news from last month that isn’t surprising describes how a mathematician proved the Dunning-Kruger effect isn’t really a good reflection of human...
The 5 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership — and they’re non-negotiable, folks!
Leaders, new and old, sometimes lose sight of the most fundamental tenets of leadership. Here’s a reminder… I frequently tell executives that leadership – its concepts, theory, and core applications – haven’t changed in a millennium. Some our demographics may have...
Recognize Recognition — And it shouldn’t be the exception!
People have often heard me say, “I’m not trying to make happy employees.” It’s true. Now, I’m plenty happy if they are happy, but their happiness isn’t the goal. Their engagement and satisfaction are. And though similar, they aren’t the same thing. Happiness is...
I Don’t Want Your Advice … until I ask for it!
Unsolicited advice or feedback is always for the benefit of the giver, not the receiver. Period. Think about it. How did you react the last time someone gave you unsolicited advice or feedback – in the office or out in the big mean world – that started with “You...
DEI is DOA …and we killed it!
Disclaimer: the opinions expressed here are that of the author. Caution: some of you may agree with them. Some of you may be offended by this. Me saying sorry you’re offended probably won’t make you feel any better. It’s a good bet that you and I have different ideas...
Performance Management in Crazy Times — 1-on-1s, forms and Layoffs
Effectively managing performance today is a bear. It’s tough. And can feel thankless… sometimes even pointless. It’s also one of the most important things we do as senior managers – setting, and managing to, performance expectations. Why, then, do we anguish about it...
Are You Expecting? … and this ain’t about babies
Originally published nearly 40 years ago, What to Expect When You’re Expecting by Heidi Murkoff (now in its fifth edition) is the best-selling book on pregnancy of all time. As a man, I don’t know what’s different about being pregnant now than 40 years ago (and I’m...
Effective Feedback in Today’s Crazy Times
Feedback’s not getting easier, just a damned sight more essential. Tom Peters once described a really unique method of communicating at a client company… he said they talked to each other. Now this was some years ago, so talking may have morphed into various forms...
Team-Based Leader Development: Why together is better…
Educating executives, managers, supervisors and other leaders remains a major concern for companies eager to keep their organizations afloat or even thriving in a challenging economic environment. Frankly, the limiting factor for most organizations continues to be...
Your Job Title is Meaningless! … and it isn’t who you are
2023’s first leadership newsflash: You aren’t what you do! And if that doesn’t surprise you, how about this: Your job title isn’t what you do, either. Have you ever talked to someone who was a little too proud of their job title? Like “I’m the SENIOR Vice President...
Leading in the New Year — Let’s do it right!
It’s December. The current year is almost in the can, finished. Stick a fork in it, it’s done. A new day has dawned. The new year is upon us. Soon, we’ll be discussing how fast January flew by, then Q1. The great hamster wheel of life. Have you made plans? Personal...
