I have long maintained that there is such a thing as “positive” office politics. “Bah!” You say with skepticism. “No such thing.” Here’s my counter-argument: there’s nothing inherently wrong with people who use power and status, but it’s the way in which they use it that gives office politics its bad name. It’s those “people…
Personal Effectiveness
3 Things Every Leader Should Ask at Update Meetings
Leaders, do you want a simple, easy-to-remember process for staying up-to-date with your team’s workload? Here’s an idea I heard from my colleague Sally. (She said it was OK to share with my blog readers, so, thanks Sally!) Sally told me about a process that one of her favorite managers created to stay in communication…
Leadership and Being a Role Model – 20 Ideas
Humanitarian and Nobel Prize-winning physician Albert Schweitzer famously observed, “Example is leadership.” At some point in our life, a leadership opportunity appears. Many of us are parents, teachers, coaches, managers and committee leaders. As such, we know that being a role model is an important part of leadership. But it’s not always easy. There are…
How To Accept an Apology at Work
Has anyone ever said anything to you at work that was really hurtful or snarky? It’s an experience we can all relate to. Sometimes it’s an intentional slight or power-play. But here’s the thing. More often, it’s an unplanned quip and your colleague wishes they could take it back. There are a couple of different…
What’s Your Leadership Trust Building POV?
When I was sixteen, my family moved across the state. It was the first time we’d ever moved; it was a leap of faith on my parents’ part that we would all adjust to our new surroundings. Luckily, I made friends fairly quickly and established a typical teen social life which included going out with…