Posted: February 22, 2012 | Categories: Leadership, Team Building

My mother lives in an assisted living complex near Kansas City.  When Mom was preparing to move in January, 2009, my siblings and I will never forget what she was most excited about:  Her apartment was the only one in the complex with one of those fancy “walk-in” bathtubs.  We thought, “Won’t that be nice when she doesn’t have to step over the rail?”
Read More…

Posted: February 8, 2012 | Categories: Leadership, Team Building

“This is not a disciplined football team!”  Former Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka has been known to say that often.  When I hear that, it reminds me of three key components I find in every championship team:
Read More…

Posted: February 6, 2012 | Categories: Management, Team Building

Here is an all-too-familiar scenario:  Something got goofed up.  It is time to huddle and solve the problem.  So we sit down together and the boss says, “What’s the deal?”

The next thing that happens…finger-pointing and blame.  No one wants to take the rap for the costly error.  (If is wasn’t costly, we wouldn’t be talking about it)

After the blame comes the next phase:  “OK, here is what I think we should do. ”  “No, let’s not do that…I think we should do this.”  The discussion intensifies, and the team finally ends up with the action to be taken.  If this is how your team solves problems, you may be missing an ideal opportunity to make your company stronger.  In order to capitalize on problems, we need to level the playing field and get everyone engaged in the process.  Here is a 9-step method that has stood the test of time:
Read More…

Posted: December 28, 2011 | Categories: Leadership, Team Building

Have you ever known someone who just seemed to attract people like a magnet?  Even to complete strangers, this individual has a way of instantly pulling forth friendliness from people, and bringing out their best.  In leadership, this is referred to as approachability.
Read More…

Posted: December 3, 2011 | Categories: Leadership, Team Building

Teamwork:  Trust, respect…and like?

Championship teams operate at the highest level of interdependency.  Here is a comment you will rarely hear from a fully functioning team:  “He/she doesn’t like me”.  Along the same line, you almost never hear someone ask, “Do you think he or she likes me?”
Read More…