There was an article in the Philadelphia Inquirer not too long ago written by the owner of a successful toy manufacturing company. Early in the article, he described the humble beginnings of the company he started in the basement of his parents’ house. I was reminded right away that Apple Computer started in the garage […]
creativity, out of office
One of the keys to keeping turnover low is creating and maintaining an environment where your employees love (or at least like) to come to work every day. And the best way to find out how much they like working for you is to ask them. But many managers are afraid to solicit feedback more […]
constructive feedback, Employee Turnover, Feedback
Professional success in almost any field requires drive, determination and boundless energy. But when people focus solely on their careers, they may reach a point where they begin to ask questions like, “If things are going so well professionally, why don’t I feel happier?” Or “If I have so much more money, why can’t I […]
Personal Development, Stress, stress management
Firing an employee is one of the most difficult tasks that leaders face. And the problems created by terminations are substantial, from high turnover costs and lengthy vacancies to lawsuits filed by disgruntled ex-employees and even violent retaliation for being fired. Although violence is a rare and extreme reaction, the fact that it occurs at […]
firing, Preparation, Termination
Comedian Georgie Jessel said “the human brain starts working the moment you are born and never stops until you stand up to speak in public…” And if you’re in a leadership position, chances are you find yourself addressing groups often, from the board of directors to your employees and their families at the company picnic. […]
Communication, Confidence, Public Speaking
If you’re a woman in a leadership role, it’s likely you have felt at some time your career like you were aiming for the number two position instead of the number one position. Yet, the tide has been changing in business over the last few years, as there have been more women stepping into top […]
leadership, Leadership Development, women in leadership
It’s a dog eat dog world… but that shouldn’t necessarily be the case if you’re a leader. In fact, your capacity for humility may be a key to driving your organization’s success. Practicing humility and the kind of mindset that makes you more self-aware and centered can lead others to connect with you more easily, […]
Humility, leadership, Leadership qualities
Giving constructive or critical feedback can be one of the more challenging tasks a leader faces. It can be tough to say it the right way, and we’re never totally sure how the feedback receiver is going to accept what we’re saying. Here are three tips you can use the next time you need to […]
constructive feedback, Critical feedback, Feedback
Have you ever felt like you were slugging along at work and weren’t as interested as you used to be in the work you’re doing? Not exactly bored, but just feeling like you’re not all that motivated? Or that other things have grabbed your attention other than work? If that describes you, you are not […]
Motivation, Productivity
Stress is a normal part of life for everyone. For leaders, it is likely greater because of the special demands on you, higher levels of responsibility, and fewer people with whom you can share what’s going on. Because of that, developing regular rituals you can do every day will help steel you against anything that […]
Mindfulness, stress management