Posted: December 1, 2015 | Categories: Leadership, Networking, Self-Improvement

“Did you ever feel like the world was a tuxedo and you were a pair of brown shoes?”  – George Goebel

Picture this:  You just started a new job or joined an organization.  You don’t know anyone.  It is time for you to attend your first social event.  As you walk in, you hear talking and laughter.  Folks are clustered in groups engaged in conversation.  You want to be a part of your new group, but you can’t figure out how to get started.  Just when you are starting feel completely invisible, an energetic, radiant individual springs from one of the groups.  She approaches you smiling, extends her hand, and introduces herself.  She then starts asking questions.  She wants to know what you do and why you enjoy it.  She then says, “C’mon, I want to introduce you to some folks.” Read More…

Posted: November 27, 2015 | Categories: Presentation skills, Self-Improvement

Now that we are approaching the end of the year, you are probably looking ahead to your professional development plans for 2016.  As you work on your plan, you note that it includes attending a seminar or training program to sharpen your skill or knowledge in a particular area.  Let’s say this program costs $650 to register and you would like your company to sponsor you.  How would you approach your boss?  Here’s one way:

“Mrs. Stanton, I need you to write a check for $650.   Why?  Because I need to attend a class”

I would not recommend this approach.  I have found it has a low batting average.  Let’s try another one:Read More…

Posted: November 25, 2015 | Categories: Management, Team Building

Have you ever worked in a culture where there was constant whining, finger-pointing, and excuse making?  If you have, you know how such behavior affects team performance.

A few years ago I had someone in my management class who was struggling with a negative team environment.  People would continually come up to him and complain about other people not doing their job.  They often had a complaint, but seldom proposed a solution.

As we discussed this challenge, I introduced him to the 4 problem solving questions I have spoken of before.  These were developed by Leon Shimkin nearly 100 years ago, and have stood the test of time:Read More…

Posted: November 16, 2015 | Categories: Management

As I was concluding a team-building meeting today, one of the participants ask about “Confrontational Leadership”.  I ask him to explain.  He defined it as the habit of clearly defining roles and expectations paired with consistent reinforcement and re-direction.

If the most important aspect of leadership is trust, the backbone of management skills seems to be clarity supported by ownership and accountability.  As team members, we like to know where we stand with the boss.  A good boss is in there with us and is providing constant feedback.Read More…

Posted: November 11, 2015 | Categories: Management

“Success is more than doing things right…it is doing the right things” – Dr. Wayne Dyer

Whenever I hear a story that displays exceptional character, I like to share it.  Here’s one for you:

The owner of a successful car repair business got some bad news:  One of his customers was not happy.  Their had recently had repair work done at the shop, and the car wasn’t sounding right.  They brought it in, and had it checked out.  The mechanic found a blown head gasket.  They also learned that the likely reason for the damage stemmed from an earlier repair the shop did replacing radiator hoses.  They didn’t get the clamps tight, the coolant leaked out, and the engine overheated and blew the gasket.Read More…