For years, I’ve counseled leaders that “people will support that which they helped to create.” And although getting input from employees is one of the surest ways to increase a new idea’s success, many leaders don’t do so. Why not? I polled readers and discovered some interesting viewpoints. The next time you ask your team…
Leadership
Great Leaders Don’t Multi-Task
We’ve all seen it before—the person driving down the highway, talking on the cell phone and performing some form of personal grooming as well. It’s called “multi-tasking” and we think we’re pretty good at it. As it turns out, we stink at doing more than one thing at a time. According to researchers Christopher Chabris…
The Power of Clarity: How an Expectations List Enhances Managerial Effectiveness
From time to time, I have discussions with an experienced director-level leader about managerial matters. As someone who has supervised technical professionals for more than a decade, this leader brings a wealth of experience, and I highly value his insights. Recently, during one of our conversations, he mentioned an Expectations List that he provides to…
How Do You Know if You’re Ready to Be a Mentor?
Throughout my career, I’ve had many fantastic mentors. My mentors helped me gain perspective, broaden my thinking and develop confidence. When designing leadership development programs, I often build a mentoring component into the mix because I’ve personally experienced how valuable the process is. Beyond Experience: The Mindset Essential for Effective Mentorship Companies often have formal…
Leadership Worry Strips Away Confidence
When my eldest child entered middle school, we discussed the ways our morning routine would change, including his need to wake up an hour earlier. The day before school started he said, “Mom, you don’t even need to get up tomorrow morning with me. I’ll make my own lunch.” He was cutting all ties. He had…