The world’s top performing organizations are dedicated to fueling innovation among employees. Unfortunately, innovation is notoriously difficult for organizations to foster and encourage. Leaders can’t wait around for their employees to create and implement fresh ideas. They also can’t expect innovation to sprout up after a single inspiring speech at a company meeting. Leaders must work …
To encourage more feedback and comments on the blog, we have created a free drawing to win a copy of The Leadership Equation book by the senior partner and founder of LRI, Eric Douglas. Winners will be selected quarterly. To enter the drawing, submit a meaningful comment to our blog! In this fascinating new book, …
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Ground rules are the foundation of productive meetings. Using ground rules, teams can establish norms for what is – and is not – acceptable communication and create healthy environments in which to work together and deal with tough issues. We recommend that every team adopt ground rules similar to these to ensure productive meetings. Provide …
This tool emphasizes the importance of focus and trust in creating high performing teams. The tool describes four types of teams. Using this tool, leaders can assess their teams and quickly see ways to transform them into high performing teams. Teams that feel directed toward achieving a clear goal are happier and more energized, studies …
This tool compares the relative value of three different types of professional development. The table below looks at the relative impact of training, coaching, and on-the-job experience in developing an individual’s professional leadership and management skills. Based on research from the Center for Creative Leadership, on-the-job leadership has had a more dramatic impact on an …
I worked today with a new executive – let’s call him Gary – who skipped four levels to take over a senior-level leadership role at his company. Gary was now in the remarkable position of managing his old boss’s boss’s boss. He asked me what advice I would give him. I told him that the …
Creative flow happens when people aren’t feeling afraid – afraid of losing their jobs, scared of losing status, scared of being left out, afraid of being punished. The dynamics of fear can be asphyxiating to an organization. Who is responsible for eliminating fear? If you’re a leader or a manager, then it’s you, of course. …
Whether driving a tractor or making investment decisions, people like doing what they can do well. When I was 21, I was selected to be part of a team of fire fighters called “hot shots.” We were a rapid response team, flown in by helicopter to fight forest fires in California. We trained hard. The …
As I recounted last in my last blog, the executive director of a non-profit organization asked me recently to share with his management team the secrets of being a great manager. The first principle I laid out was “No skip management.” In this blog, I’m going to describe the second principle. As the managers convened …
Continue reading “Secrets of Being a Great Manager: Part Two”
I serve on the Board of several non-profit organizations. One of them recently re-organized its management structure. The executive director asked, “We have a new management team. I wish you would tell them the secrets of being a great manager.” When the team convened, I wrote these words on a white board: “First principle: No …
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