Best-Practices Leadership

Plan for a new manager’s role

November 11, 2020
The creation of a new management post is a positive sign—your organization is growing and hiring more people. So you need to design the position with care in order to sustain your progress.

Investigate before you innovate

November 11, 2020
If you want your frontline employees to innovate, fine—but don’t just issue orders. Instead, ask a few questions to determine how well your employees are prepared for innovation so you’ll know what else you have to do. Begin with these questions.

Has ‘TMZ’ shown us the future of business?

October 7, 2020
Watch for bold companies to offer ever more vivid windows on their day-to-day operations. What began years ago with a CEO surprising everyone by taking the stage in sneakers and a turtleneck may transform into a competition among organizations to see who can show the public the most candid, unvarnished aspects of how they live and breathe.

Make diversity and inclusion permanent

September 10, 2020
A commitment to normalizing and driving equality and racial justice is now a corporate imperative, offering a clear opportunity to be introspective and listen to the challenges of Black employees in the workforce and beyond. It is a positive sign. But will it drive lasting change?

Never shut off the idea spigot

August 13, 2020
Q: I have a loyal employee who does a good job with every task that is assigned to him. One problem: Every original idea he’s ever suggested is absolutely terrible and he has not even a smidgen of clever, original thinking. Yet it would be quite awkward to actively disinvite him from brainstorming meetings or cut him from group projects. What to do?

Save good ideas from oblivion

August 13, 2020
In a fast-paced meeting or discussion, people can get so caught up in presenting ideas that some valid thoughts, responses, and additions get pushed aside too soon. Don’t let them get lost.

Solutions to 3 common project problems

August 13, 2020
Even the best planned projects can run into problems over time, no matter how hard you try to anticipate and prevent them. Be on the lookout for these common issues that can crop up as a project goes on and on.

Are your ‘best practices’ just that?

July 9, 2020
Experts may recommend adopting best practices and performance benchmarks to improve your group’s performance. However, as management consultant Michael McLaughlin cautions, don’t import ready-made solutions until you’re sure they’ll work in your situation. Test each practice four ways.

Social justice: yes, get involved

July 9, 2020
Q: At work there’s been a lot of discussion about social justice issues, and several of my employees have said that talking about it is not enough; we should be doing something about them. What actions can and should we take?

Morale is rooted in fun

July 9, 2020
Running a department or business is a serious endeavor. But that doesn’t mean you can’t have a sense of humor.