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
Managing
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
Rethinking Motivation
Most business leaders have lost sight of what motivates people at work. In fact, some companies haven’t updated their management practices in years, which means they’re incapable of creating high-performance teams. Companies continue to ignore the obvious: Offering incentives and rewards is less … [Read more...] about Rethinking Motivation
Humor at Work: How Not to Be a Jerk
In the national bestseller Flow, University of Chicago psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi suggests two key factors determine our overall happiness: Our relations with other people How we experience our work You can improve both areas by bringing humor to work each day. Harvard Business … [Read more...] about Humor at Work: How Not to Be a Jerk
He Thinks, She Thinks: Different Brains
Anyone with workplace experience knows men and women process information and communicate differently. Dealing with gender differences can prove challenging, especially for managers and leaders. Regardless of which industry you’re in or the position you fill, male and female coworkers can … [Read more...] about He Thinks, She Thinks: Different Brains
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
Complacency: It’s Everywhere…
Combat Complacency to Make Change Happen “Bad business results are both a blessing and a curse. Losing money does catch people’s attention, but it gives less maneuvering room. With good business results, the opposite is true; convincing people of the need for change is much harder, but you have … [Read more...] about Complacency: It’s Everywhere…
What’s Needed Next? Transparency & Trust
We need a better way to evaluate our business leaders, assert James O’Toole and Warren Bennis in a recent Harvard Business Review article (“A Culture of Candor,” June 2009). It’s no longer prudent to judge American corporate leaders’ performance solely on the extent to which they create wealth for … [Read more...] about What’s Needed Next? Transparency & Trust
The Brain Science of Bad Decisions
Decision making is a critical function in our personal and professional lives. None of us would be in positions of authority without demonstrated abilities to discern issues and make good choices. Our reputations and livelihoods depend on it. Each day, however, intelligent people make mistakes, … [Read more...] about The Brain Science of Bad Decisions