A recent article in the Wall Street Journal quoted a tech expert who predicted that technology would soon replace mid-level leaders. After all, he suggested, if technology can monitor employee productivity, what’s the point of middle management? There are two matters to consider before you jump on the bandwagon. First, your apps will have a hard […]
Dear Chris, “What steps can I take to get the best from each day?” Karen G. wrote. I love getting these requests from you :0) 1. Organize your day by blocking off 1 hour + chunks of time you dedicate to your priorities. Let every other requirement flow around those chunks. 2. Set three objectives that you will accomplish […]
Fight, flight, or freeze. Those responses to fear are hardwired into your amygdala. Freeze is the most common for leaders, and it can be a silent killer for your business. A simple framework to understand the fear and overcome it will help you seize opportunities in the 2021-renewal while others are standing still. You’ve seen […]
Accountability is challenging, as you know. You want to hold people accountable for meeting performance and behavioral standards but don’t want to come across as a jerk. Here are five action steps to help you do that. 1. Clarify your expectations. I found that the fault was usually mine whenever one of my subordinates did not […]
Managing your time was the #1 response to our top challenges survey. It was #1 for solopreneurs and microbusiness leaders and #3 for small businesses of 11-50 people. These results are not surprising. You probably don’t have a full-time employee to manage your calendar. You have to run AND grow your business at the same […]
Outrage is bad for your emotional well-being. It’s like snacking on anger all day long. It’s bad for your business, too, because it sucks your time and depletes your energy. Sadly, playing on outrage [if it’s outrageous, it’s contagious] is a television and social media business model. You are the victim. I’m a firm believer in […]
That debate was … troubling. Trump v Biden is a match-up between a Pioneer and Reconciler. We saw both archetypes on display Tuesday night. Many of you have asked me about the U.S. presidential election using our PROM leader archetypes: Pioneer, Reconciler, Operator, and Maverick. (Get your PROM servant leader archetype here) My business articles are never partisan, […]
As you know, a simple, effective decision-making process enables you to solve problems, avoid expensive mistakes, and seize opportunities that grow your business. Here are the four most critical steps in the process. Think FD3: Frame, Define, Develop, Determine. 1. Frame your decision statement with an action verb, object, and so that. Clarity on what you are deciding and […]
“I want my subordinates to make decisions,” Jim told me, “but they keep asking for permission.” Why is that so bad, I asked him, you know they won’t make a wrong decision. “The problem is that the decisions keep piling up on my plate. It’s like the salad bar at Olive Garden. Before you know […]
The United States Army says that leadership is “the process of influencing people by providing purpose, direction, and motivation to accomplish the mission and improving the organization.” A cringe-worthy business leadership definition is “the capacity of a company’s management to set and achieve challenging goals, take fast and decisive action when needed, outperform the competition, and inspire others to perform […]
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