I recently read a story about the dramatic turnaround at discount retailer Target. The CEO shared one of his success tips: seek out and surround yourself with new ideas and people who challenge you to reflect and question everything — then act quickly. That’s like the strategy of a three-year-old. Look at everything through fresh … Read more
The focus of Act Happy Week is to educate the public about purposeful actions you can take to create chemical shifts in your body that drive Positive Emotions. Here is today’s exercise: Day 4: Act Like an Optimist Pessimists look to the future and expect things to go wrong, while Optimists look to the future … Read more
You probably got your position because you were one of the smartest people on the team. Knowing much and being smart are certainly advantages to you and your organization. If you are leading a team, however, you create a lot more value for the organization when you bring out the best in others. To do … Read more
When you are in charge (and whether you like it or not) everyone looks to you for a “mood reading” every day. What you bring into work flows down to everyone in your reporting stream. If you’re having a toxic day, that affects your team – the same is true when you’re having a good … Read more
{Rant warning – only read this post if you want to risk being needlessly ticked off at me.} Are you a Responsive Leader? If not, get out. Now. Get off the bus. I mean it. You are killing the rest of us! One of the ways I describe my work is this: My passion is … Read more
For ten years I have issued an annual reminder to leaders regarding performance feedback and relationship-building. The reminder always shows up in December or January.
You know what? That’s too late!
John O’Nolan via Compfight Ah, you expect so much – of self and others – on the job. How much of the stress you experience comes from trying to juggle too many roles, goals, and projects simultaneously? Take a hard look at your current goals. As a human being, your maximum capacity is four to … Read more
Many managers look to the annual performance appraisal as a time for goal-setting and calibration. It is an important event, but for the feedback-starved associate, that’s like being in school and getting no teacher input until the report cards come out in June. Let’s face it: the annual performance review cycle is a relic of … Read more
Excerpt: There are, almost always, MULTIPLE correct answers. Be careful of believing that the platforms of the anointed ones are the Only Correct Answer. I’m not suggesting I have the best answer; I just beg you to notice that you cannot see what you choose not to see. (read more)
If you want to know more about what makes employees happy just take a look at yourself for the answers. What makes you happy about your job? Don’t you find that when you are happy and enjoy the work you do, you actually do better work, your energy level is high, and you have a greater sense of accomplishment? Here are some GOOD addictions to have if you serve as a leader to others. (read more)