Best-Practices Leadership

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.

Incubate those great ideas!

July 9, 2020
Some ideas come to you in a flash of insight. Others take their time, but can pay off just as richly.

An empathetic leader? Yes; a pushover? No

July 9, 2020
In these difficult times, we look to business leaders to take the helm of their company with confidence and authority. However, now is not the time to rule with an iron fist.

Avoid 3 critical errors when reopening the office

June 30, 2020
In a still-confusing time, you want to get people back to work, and keep them there. But Dan Kaplan,a partner at Foley & Lardner’s Madison, Wisconsin office and a leader on the firm’s Coronavirus Task Force, has some reminders for us of the organizational and legal issues we cannot look past.