The best teams are made up of very diverse individuals. They come from varied backgrounds, have different experience levels, and bring with them unique thoughts, ideas, and perspectives. Leading an introvert can be perceived as a challenge for managers who are disproportionately extroverted. You may not feel very connected to your introverted employees or feel as though they don’t participate enough in group discussions or projects. However, there is so much value in having an introvert on your team if you can identify and flex to their unique needs. Here are some tips for spotting the introvert on your team:
The Golden Rules of Tough Feedback
Feedback comes in many forms: solicited, unsolicited, positive, negative, constructive, etc. Whether you’re in the C-suite or just starting your career, feedback is a crucial component to your development and career success. But we often fail to effectively solicit, deliver, and receive feedback. Here are 6 golden rules for handling tough feedback:
Find What Fits and Make it Stick
You know the phrase “There’s a sucker born every minute”? Well, that same phrase could be applied to new leadership development programs as well. It seems every training organization and leadership coach has unlocked the mystery of developing successful leaders with their unique programs, and they’ll share that secret with you for only a few thousand dollars per person. Practitioners receive dozens of emails a day pitching these new programs. They’re all compelling in different ways, and several of them likely have quality content.
Step Up™ Workshop for Front-line Leaders Begins March 4
A survey by McKinsey, “How Companies Manage the Front Line Today,” found that 80 percent of front-line leaders report dissatisfaction with their job performance and 70 percent of senior managers agreed. In addition, front-line leaders make up more than half of all management personnel, and they manage almost 80% of the workforce. Shouldn’t these leaders be given all the tools they need to be effective in their jobs?
Don’t Be an HR Broker
Some trends in HR are great. Trends toward data-driven decision making, technology-enabled hiring, flexible schedules and paternal leave are significant improvements to the industry. Other trends are not so great. Before we dig into the newest trend, I want you to ask yourself a few questions: What are the key skills/competencies necessary for your company to grow in the next 5 years? What are the skills you most need to cultivate in your next generation leaders? What are you doing to foster those skills? What is your succession plan for the top 10 positions in your company? How are you … Read More
Creating a Culture of Effective Thinking
Whether we’re engaging in a brainstorming session, product development discussions, or strategic planning, we expect that our team is bringing their best possible thinking to the table. We expect that they will be actively engaged, informed, and free from distractions. But sometimes that isn’t enough. There’s a silent killer of effective thinking in the workplace, and it’s hard to overcome. It’s the culture.