Be a Candle, Not a Match
Have you ever needed to ‘light a fire’ under someone? A client mentioned this desire recently with regard to short work weeks. That is, work weeks that include a holiday. Often people take additional time off, or perhaps they are working but aren’t fully engaged. The client was exasperated with a perceived lack of urgency […]
Is a ‘joy gap’ reducing your results at work?
Leaders, do you have a ‘joy gap’ at work? Now, you may say, ‘Seriously?! Who has time to worry about joy? I’ve got positions to fill. I’m trying to keep the team focused on top priorities, and oh, btw, concerns about making our numbers in this uncertain economy are keeping me up at night.’ Here […]
Rethinking Priorities: Rethinking Leadership
According to The Atlantic, “Quitting your job is hot this summer.”[1] Your best people have options, and many of them may be considering an exit. While the past 16 months have blurred the lines between home and work for many people, the pandemic also provided an opportunity to reconsider priorities. Or perhaps, more accurately, it created space […]
Getting Your Diversity Efforts Off the Ground, Inc. Magazine
There are many options available, yet the thought of launching a DEI initiative paralyzes some people. Just where do you start? You watch the news. You follow trends. You’ve been hearing a lot about how diversity enhances performance, makes it easier to attract and retain top talent, and benefits your organization. You serve a diverse […]
Cultivating Trust with Hybrid Teams
After months of working remotely, Sara was eager to get back into the office and be face-to-face with her team. She was disappointed when her employer decided to allow employees the choice of continuing to work remotely. Sara was concerned that her hybrid team – some in the office and others working from home – […]
Is good leadership masculine, feminine, or human?
Recently a colleague offered a provocative observation that leadership is being feminized. What did he mean by that? Well, he observed, “feminine” qualities such as care and empathy have become more highly prized in assessing leadership potential than classic “masculine” qualities like assertiveness and drive for results. His point was that each of these qualities contributes to […]
Human Doing or Human Being?
As we wrap up week three of self-isolation at our house, I can’t help but reflect on what a long, strange three weeks it has been. Who knew that COVID-time would be similar to dog years? Most days I find myself continuing to race from one “to do” to another, in spite of the obvious […]
HR in the Time of Coronavirus
During these unprecedented times, HR leaders are toggling between the need to think strategically about what’s next for their organizations and the demands of significant tactical challenges. How to manage absences in the time of coronavirus. Defining and supporting remote work. Paying employees properly. Heart-wrenching decisions to terminate employees when an organization’s cash flow has suddenly […]
Creating a Coaching Culture: Another “Big Idea”
With the start of a New Year, there are often a number of interesting articles that forecast trends for the year ahead. These can provide rich food for thought. I would like to suggest my own “big idea” to watch as 2019 unfolds: the rise of the “Coaching Culture.” Drawing on observations from working closely with organizations […]
What does it mean to be an authentic leader?
Authentic leadership has been shown to increase trust, engagement, and overall performance. These are desirable outcomes, so what does it really mean for a leader to be authentic? Is it authentic to say whatever is on your mind, speaking with no filter or thought of the consequences? Perhaps it is authentic to react from emotion because […]
