Strategic Leadership

The anatomy of a bad decision

August 24, 2020
I often say “You don’t know what you don’t know.” This may seem obvious, but multimillion-dollar organizations make decisions every day based solely on the information they’re looking at, discounting factors that may not be addressed by the research being conducted.

Fix it later, but patch it now

August 13, 2020
Not all problems can be solved right away. Sometimes you have to look for a provisional response until a complete solution can be found. Here are some general approaches to start with.

Bounce back from a mistake

August 13, 2020
Mistakes aren’t fatal, as long as you know how to deal with them in a positive manner. Acknowledging and apologizing for them is only a first step. Here’s how to turn a setback into a step forward.

Hiring a manager? Avoid these 3 mistakes

August 13, 2020
Choosing a new manager for a team is a big responsibility. When considering candidates, whether they’re from your current workforce or outside, guard against these mistakes that can trip you (and your new manager) up.

Prep bosses to deal with layoffs

August 13, 2020
Impending layoffs are tough on everyone—including those who must deliver the bad news. Here’s how to prep your supervisors for the unpleasant job.

Avoid these feedback gaffes

August 13, 2020
Feedback can be powerful, but it can backfire if you’re not careful. Don’t confuse it with these counterproductive forms of communication.

Steering business through COVID-19

August 13, 2020
As the coronavirus pandemic continues, small businesses have reopened across the nation but certainty and optimism are a long way from being restored.

That’s no way to run the show

July 9, 2020
Even the best leaders make mistakes from time to time. What makes them stand apart is a willingness to face up to their flaws and correct them. Take a good look at your performance, and guard against these shortsighted errors.

Solve a problem in 6 steps

July 9, 2020
What if we … ? Or maybe we should … ? Whatever the challenge you’re facing, it’s easy to get so caught up in trying to find creative solutions that you end up running around in circles and accomplishing nothing. Apply a little logic to the task by following these steps.

Be smooth when altering a decision

June 24, 2020
Be careful to take employees’ reactions into consideration when announcing your change of course. Here’s how to switch gears smoothly.