Articles

Sound Bites: September ’20

September 16, 2020
Are you too quick to offer help to employees who come to you with problems? … How does it strike you when someone says “What?” right after you’ve said something? … Pre-speech calisthenics … Hand-draw your proposals

Accept the paradoxes of leadership

September 10, 2020
A leader’s errors in strategy, judgment, and compassion usually involve failing to balance the conflicting, even paradoxical demands that leadership makes. Consider three of the major paradoxes of leadership: How are you coping with them?

Any suggestions for our empty suggestion box?

September 10, 2020
Q: We put up an employee suggestion box, and month after month, despite the fact that we know there’s a lot on employees’ minds, it’s usually empty. What do you think is going on here?

Meanwhile, back at the office…

September 10, 2020
Q: For the most part, our employees are back in the workplace at least a few days a week. However, some who are parents say they can’t return at all. I don’t mind, but it’s obvious this is causing resentment from the ones who show up. Morale is sinking. What can I say?

Express anger—within reason

September 10, 2020
A researcher at Stanford University has found that anger is sometimes linked to success.

Plans need a warning mechanism

September 10, 2020
Suppose that you’re leading a major project for your group. You have a plan, and of course you’re committed to it—but are you too committed? Have you built in a way to alert yourself when your plan might need revising once the project is underway? Here’s what to do.

Prep for opposition and resistance to your proposals

September 10, 2020
Making an important proposal is difficult enough—but you also need to anticipate roadblocks. Think ahead realistically about your likely opposition and plan accordingly.

Trumpet the successful side of change

September 10, 2020
When you’re changing the structure of your group or the way you do things, mine the following areas for good news.

Before rescuing a supervisor, do this

September 10, 2020
When one of your supervisors complains about an employee who reports to him or her, you must decide, “Should I step in?” Weigh these issues in deciding.

Prevent those awkward silences

September 10, 2020
When you meet someone you are excited to meet, your enthusiasm can be shattered when the conversation abruptly halts. Follow these tips to prevent awkward silences.