People Management

Proclaim the what, not the how

July 13, 2017
Clarity and leadership go together. Communicate clear directions and give your team the leeway to find ways to advance toward the goal.

Never give an order that…

June 27, 2017
Issue a command that people disregard because you’ve allowed them too much power to write their own rules and your demise as a leader will be slower and more painful.

Trust and train your people

June 18, 2017
How can ordinary people perform effectively in complex and dangerous situations?

When motivation no longer does the trick

May 23, 2017
Q. For years, we’ve motivated our sales and service folks with incentives. Our culture is built around contests, fun competitions for bonuses or other prizes and recognition. But the last few contests have produced acrimony. Those who don’t win gripe about the rules and resent the winners. Are we motivating the wrong way?

5 questions to test your culture

May 21, 2017

Trying to motivate employees with games, incentives and pizza parties might work to some extent. But lasting results only come from fully engaged staffers who believe in the organizational culture.

4 ways to forge lasting bonds

May 19, 2017
When employees trust each other and their supervisors, they collaborate more freely and communicate more forthrightly. Rumors don’t spread. There’s less malicious gossip. And people root for each other’s success.

How about this to control meetings?

May 16, 2017
Zealous Puritan Oliver Cromwell, ruthless dictator and lord protector of England in the 17th century, sure knew how to minimize meetings.

Listening: It’s complicated

May 16, 2017
Even if you want to listen well, many obstacles stand in the way. It’s not enough to tell yourself, “I’m just not very good at listening.” Armed with that excuse, you won’t try as hard to concentrate on what you hear.

Hold meetings with fewer distractions

May 11, 2017
Q. During our staff meetings, it’s rare that employees look up at me. Instead of paying attention, they’re glancing at their phones or typing away on their laptops. I’ve set ground rules, but they ignore them. Any ideas?

A CEO’s charm offensive nets grads

May 5, 2017
Once or twice a month, Policinski serves as a guest lecturer in college business courses. As he discusses strategy with students and guides them through case studies, he also subtly promotes Land O’Lakes as a strong performer with a solid history of growth.