Almost everyone feels a bit nervous about delivering a presentation before a group. Some people claim they’d rather undergo a root canal than manage the anxiety associated with giving a speech. Follow some basic guidelines for preparation and delivery, and you can transform your nervousness into … [Read more...] about Presentations that Persuade and Motivate
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The Four Agreements at Work: An Inside Job
In his book The Four Agreements, Don Miguel Ruiz distills the essence of Toltec wisdom into four principles for living a life of value: 1. Be impeccable with your word. 2. Don’t take anything personally. 3. Don’t make assumptions. 4. Always do your best. How elegantly simple and, as some … [Read more...] about The Four Agreements at Work: An Inside Job
How to Get the Most People-Power from Your Conference
Most people are required to attend conferences and trade shows at some point during their careers. Attitudes can range from “have to go” to “want to go.” If you’re an extrovert, chances are you’ll welcome the opportunity to socialize and connect with other people. And if you’re an introvert, … [Read more...] about How to Get the Most People-Power from Your Conference
Maximize Your Meetings
Meetings, like death and taxes, are an inevitable fact of business life. Many, unfortunately, turn out to be a huge waste of time. Some companies schedule them so automatically that staff members’ energy is completely zapped, replaced by apathy and boredom. Meetings are used counterproductively … [Read more...] about Maximize Your Meetings
Dealing with Difficult People
They’re everywhere. Walk into any workplace and you’ll find them. Regardless of your company’s success or employee-friendly culture, difficult people pose challenges for managers and team leaders each day. Some are angry; some are anxious. Others are fearful, negative and obstinate. Some spark … [Read more...] about Dealing with Difficult People
Managing Yourself: Are You Ready for a Coach?
The world of work is changing, and fast. Having a successful career means continually learning and adapting to rapidly evolving environments. You can’t do it alone. Coaching yourself is like the blind leading the blind: You can’t know what you don’t know. Coaching occurs all the time within an … [Read more...] about Managing Yourself: Are You Ready for a Coach?
How Do You Develop Leaders? Practice, Practice, Practice
Leadership isn’t just for leaders anymore. Top companies are beginning to understand that sustaining peak performance requires a commitment to developing leaders at all levels. Management experts Drs. Paul Hersey and Kenneth Blanchard have defined leadership as “working with and through others to … [Read more...] about How Do You Develop Leaders? Practice, Practice, Practice
Open Source Innovation & Other Weird Ideas That Work
“The best way to predict the future is to invent it.” — Alan Kay, computer scientist Self-managed volunteer hackers pool their skills every day on the Internet. Thousands of solo programmers compete to build software that’s bought by companies with whom they have little or no contact. Open … [Read more...] about Open Source Innovation & Other Weird Ideas That Work
A Leadership Checklist: 7 Questions
No matter how successful and talented you are, you’ve made mistakes and have acquired some bad habits. Some are old; others have seemingly popped up overnight. Behaviors that may have worked well for you in the past can render you ineffective in the present. Perhaps you’re dissatisfied with your … [Read more...] about A Leadership Checklist: 7 Questions
Great Expectations: The Boss/Direct Report Tango
What should a leader expect from a direct report and what can the latter expect from the leader in return? When both parties have clear expectations, the relationship is smooth like a tango. If one person gets out of step, however, the ensuing relationship makes for discord. While much has … [Read more...] about Great Expectations: The Boss/Direct Report Tango