Situational Leadership

Feeling the fire’s heat

March 11, 2020
Q. I received a directive from above to “find a reason to fire” a worker I hired several years ago. This person did nothing wrong from what I see, but the powers-that-be must have their reasons why they no longer want him employed here. Should I demand an explanation from them, or should I work on the termination?

Pssst! Guess who’s (not) getting fired!

February 13, 2020
Q. There’s a whisper campaign among employees that the company might be replacing me. There’s no truth to that. Should I shrug it off and let it die on its own or should I set the record straight?

The sound of success

February 13, 2020
You’ve heard about the value of visualizing success when you’re about to encounter a tough situation; try vocalization as well.

Meet the press: When the media comes calling

February 13, 2020
Unfavorable media coverage for your firm is not always avoidable, but avoiding it is always worth the effort. Check the following list of warnings before you talk with another media reporter.

Criticize your competition with care

January 22, 2020
Since differentiating yourself from your competitors is a key part of attracting and retaining customers, the answer is often “Yes, do it— but with great caution.”

The key to using humor at work

November 20, 2019
It’s commonly assumed that positive humor is A-OK for leaders to use, whereas negative humor is frowned upon. However, new research from the University of Missouri has found that the type of humor may have no bearing on how people perceive it at work.

Wield the 6 principles of influence

October 31, 2019
“Being Indispensable” podcast host Liz Van Vliet applies Dr. Robert Cialdini’s principles to an EA’s role.

Leaders waging war on a tabletop

October 10, 2019
Commanding a fictional army across a map and planning attacks demands smarts and may give you real insight into the way someone responds to high-pressure situations. Keep these games in mind.

How critical a thinker are you?

October 10, 2019
To sharpen your critical thinking game, begin by reflecting on problem-solving. Do you have a set method, or does your process depend on the obstacle? Here are some suggestions to orient you.

Ace the pain points conversation

August 8, 2019
It’s not always easy for your client to identify and communicate the exact source of their pain points, or to know what can be done about them. By knowing the right questions to ask and helping them identify their needs, you’ve made a crucial connection.