Communication

Tips for talking like a leader

February 12, 2010

Without knowing it, you may be saying things that make you sound less leader-like. Here, courtesy of the editors at Reader’s Digest and Business Management Daily, are some tips that can help you come across better:

Give your staff permission to disagree

February 12, 2010

Pay attention to how you sound in response to being questioned or contradicted. If your people get the slightest whiff that agreement is what you prefer, that’s what you’ll get. To fight that possibility, take these steps:

3 reasons to fire a prima donna

February 12, 2010

If you’re a leader who employs a prima donna (one who produces great results but alienates everyone), what should you do? It’s simple. Bite the bullet and fire that person. Here are three reasons why you should:

You need more than a gut reaction

February 12, 2010

Leaders sometimes go with their gut when making a decision. Just make sure yours isn’t the only gut being consulted, suggests Reid Carr, president of Red Door Interactive. Here’s one tactic for pulling in the intuition of others:

Step-by-step corporate team building

February 12, 2010

Sometimes it’s not clear how cross-team projects should proceed. Follow these guidelines for accomplishing as a group what individuals can’t do alone.

Leadership Tips: Vol. 210

February 12, 2010

Hold more productive, inspiring meetings by stealing a rule from Google’s playbook … Squeeze breathing room into your day by scheduling meetings for 50 minutes rather than 60 … Improve your team’s performance with this exercise … Use these seven words more often in 2010.

Garrison Keillor on the elusive art of storytelling

January 11, 2010

When author and radio host Garrison Keillor was asked how he had mastered both written and oral storytelling—a critical skill for every leader—he said he hadn’t. “You love the attempt,” he explained …

3 secrets behind drive

January 11, 2010

Daniel Pink, author of Free Agent Nation, explores three things you can do to keep your staff motivated and productive:

How scenarios help you lead

January 11, 2010

Preparing for the unexpected is what allows you to keep a steady hand when guiding your company. Scenarios are a powerful tool to that end. Here’s how to use them right:

10 warning signs of low morale

January 11, 2010

Without you realizing it, low morale can creep into your organization. Check every day to make sure people stay in tune. Here are 10 sour notes to listen for: