How many times have you screamed to yourself: “There is too much information online! Make it stop! Argh!” According to a 2009 study conducted by the University of California, San Diego, Americans consume on average approximately 34 gigabytes of information a day. This translates to about 100,000 … [Read more...] about Information Overload: 45,276 Ways to Stop It
Change
What’s Your Story?
“The most important story you will ever tell about yourself is the story you tell to yourself.” ~ Jim Loehr, The Power of Story, Free Press, 2007 Stories that don't work happen to everybody. Each of us operates with a variety of organizing principles, or “stories,” that swirl around our brains. … [Read more...] about What’s Your Story?
The Power of Empathy and Focus
Without empathy and focus, you’ll never be able to communicate effectively and relate well to others. People who lack empathy are sure to face interpersonal difficulties that lead to inferior performance, negative outcomes, and poor relationships with coworkers and customers. As a competency skill, … [Read more...] about The Power of Empathy and Focus
Emotions – Leadership’s Secret Weapon
“Leadership isn't something you do writing memos; you've got to appeal to people's emotions. They've got to buy in with their hearts and bellies, not just their minds.” ~ Lou Gerstner, IBM’s former CEO Emotions are critical to business success because they drive behaviors. Companies that achieve an … [Read more...] about Emotions – Leadership’s Secret Weapon
Leadership Power, Politics and Persuasion
Some executives are uncomfortable using power or office politics, viewing them as the dark side of workplace behavior. They believe morale and commitment erode when politics dominate the environment. But research clearly shows that being politically savvy and building a power base pay … [Read more...] about Leadership Power, Politics and Persuasion
The Snowball Effect: Start Change Now
To effect change, you must do something differently. It starts with you. Do it right, and you’ll enjoy a snowball effect that helps your team, direct reports and even family members implement change. While many books have covered organizational change, business school professors Chip and Dan Heath … [Read more...] about The Snowball Effect: Start Change Now
5 Biases That Lead to Bad Decisions
A growing body of research reveals that our behavior and decisions are influenced by an array of strong psychological undercurrents, all of which are more powerful and pervasive than we realize. By charting these undercurrents and their unanticipated effects, we can identify our faulty thinking … [Read more...] about 5 Biases That Lead to Bad Decisions
Leading Change, One Conversation at a Time
Business is fundamentally an extended conversation. Whether you’re speaking with your boss, team members, colleagues or direct reports, conversations shape what gets done. As a leader, you must engineer conversations to foster: Clarity Cooperation Creativity Connection to company … [Read more...] about Leading Change, One Conversation at a Time
Leading from the Middle:
Managing Up, Down, & Sideways
"Leaders are almost by definition people who change minds." —Howard E. Gardner, Leading Minds
There is a lack of trust in senior management, according to a survey by the human-resource firm Watson Wyatt:
Only 49 percent of employees have trust and confidence in their senior managers.
Just 55 … [Read more...] about Leading from the Middle:
Managing Up, Down, & Sideways
Leading in Economic Uncertainty: Shrinking Business
Are you the type of leader who’s dealing well in these trying economic times? Who confronts reality? Who figures out what needs to be done? Who communicates with confidence? Who finds opportunities in chaos, despite uncertainty, inevitable change and unpredictable sales? If you’re like … [Read more...] about Leading in Economic Uncertainty: Shrinking Business