Listening or selling?
Listen here: When talking to people about how they interview – this is one of the first questions I ask. The usual response I get is “huh”. Is that what you were just thinking? Think about the last interview you did – did you spend most of your time listening or talking? I hope […]
Are you getting in their way?
Listen here: Imagine a workplace with the best employees, great product/service but somehow doesn’t seem to work. Scary right! However this is a reality and the company is either going along steadily or grows at a slow rate. What’s happening? One possibility is the boss (you!) What??? I know it’s a subject we don’t […]
Who will take over?
Listen here: I heard a story about a local gentleman who owned 5 retail stores. All was going well, he had employees and was earning a nice profit. Then the stores closed – why? He passed away without having a successor. This got me thinking and asking – are small business owners planning for their […]
Do you need a Captain?
Listen here: I have been enjoying sports lately – Chicago Blackhawks winning the Stanley Cup and the start of the FIFA (Soccer) World Cup. While one is a winter sport and the other is a summer sport, they have something in common – the players choose a captain. This got me thinking – both sports […]
Mini-breaks to re-energize
A lot of times we are at work and we just get down to business. If we are lucky, we remember to eat lunch or find an excuse to walk outside for at least 5 minutes. Even little distractions from the work can energize us in great ways. We can be terrible with taking the […]
I’m a ____ Leader
When it comes to leaders we all like to use a one word description of their style. You know, she’s a charismatic leader, he’s a dictatorial leader, she’s autocratic, etc. You get the picture. Now image if the people who worked for you had to pick one word to fill-in-the-blank on your leadership style…would it be the […]
Getting more…employee motivation
Would you rather listen than read? Click play This is what we all want isn’t it? Getting more with little effort. If only the world really worked that way. Actually it does. In these economic times we find ourselves having to do more with less. Whether it is more work from fewer employees, more clients […]
Taking a step back
We are usually told to go forward, take action, just do it – all the things needed to succeed. Well, I would like to throw another cliche onto the pile “take a step back”. It’s not about going backwards but about seeing the forest through the trees. When was the last time you took a […]
Micromanaging – Why do you do it?
Do you do it? Are you sure? The next time you are speaking to an employee, listen to yourself – your words, tone and intention. Now ask yourself again – are you a micro-manager? If you answered no, thank you and please continue reading anyway. Those of you who answered yes, here are some questions […]
How to have that first difficult conversation
You know that conversation where you have to tell an employee for the first time that either they are not performing or their attitude is not what you want. You know that talk where you dread it either because you don’t like “confrontation” or you are fearful of their reaction. Take a deep breath, it […]