How to Have a More Powerful Development Conversation
For a variety of reasons, many manager/employee relationships stay formal, cordial, and don’t realize their full potential. The conversation stays focused on the work at hand, and hopefully there is some discussion of strengths and development needs, along with...
Small Gestures of Trust Build Great Results
I was attending a breakout session on social media strategy at the International Customer Service Association conference, when the presenter asked, “who allows their reps to have Facebook on their work computers?” This is not the norm in the call center space, but one...A Matter of Trust: Why I Trust You, Why I Don't
Developing real trust takes time. The people we lead come to us with history, memories, and experiences–they recall times of trust inspired and trust betrayed. When we are in a new gig, our teams watch even more closely. “Can I trust you?” “How...
Disclosure in Leadership? The Benefits and Risks of Showing Up Real
If you are like most leaders, you are concerned about your image and your brand. You want to show up strong, confident, and worthy of being followed. But what happens when you’re not feeling strong? What happens when life throws you curve balls to juggle on top...
Leadership from A Kid’s Point Of View (Lucky or Skillful?)
A Saturday Salutation Guest Post Sebastian Hurt, Age 7 Sebastian is my son, and a First Grader. He loves Jiu Jitsu, beyblades, and climbing new mountains. After much dinner table conversation on leadership and posts, he asked to write his own. I served only as typist....
Better Beginnings: 9 Tips for Successful Starts
How you begin matters. Better beginnings lead to better outcomes. Prepare the team. Reinforce the vision. Energize the plans. Refresh the excitement. Do you begin well? “Let us nourish beginnings. Not all things are blest, but the seeds of all things are blest....
Feedback: Getting Great Insights From People Who Matter
As leaders, getting enough feedback on your leadership can sometimes be a challenge. Of course, it’s important to know what your boss thinks. What is equally important are the broader impressions your leadership is making up down and sideways. Today I share some...
Hold that Question: The Art of Big Questions, Held Long
I’ve been thinking a lot about the value of big questions. As leaders, our days can become so full of questions which we feel immediate pressure to ask and answer. As leaders it is also vital that we ask the big, tough questions. “The number one difference...
