Understanding intent is key to improving the quality of communication. This tool describes each of the four types of intent in detail and provides useful tips for people who want to display positive intent. Introduction There are four types of intent that underlie all communication: affirming, controlling, defending, and withdrawing. Everyone displays all four types …
Continue reading “The Four Types of Intent”
Leaders can use this tool to help people express their underlying conflicts and resolve them. It gives people a way to talk about their differences without triggering defensive responses. When used regularly, Inner Scripts can dramatically increase morale and cut down on the time spent dealing with conflicts. What are Inner Scripts? Imagine a situation …
Continue reading “Conflict Resolution Strategies for Leaders”
These are some favorite “small group ice-breakers for meetings” to help teams and groups get into a relaxed and open frame of mind for discussing important issues. Each of these group icebreakers has proven successful many times over – so they’re guaranteed to work. Pick and choose – or try them all. This is a …
Continue reading “Small Group Icebreakers for Meetings”
This tool describes a process for conflict resolution, both organizational and personal. By following this map, you will be able to identify the kind of conflict you encounter, determine your role in it, and figure out the shortest, easiest path to resolving the conflict. Both individuals and groups can use this tool. Download the PDF …
Continue reading “How to Resolve Conflict in the Workplace”
When discussing an issue or solving a problem, people often jump to conclusions before they spend time talking about what the problem is – or what data they have at hand. The Circle of Assumptions teaches us an orderly way to think about problems, starting with data and building toward conclusions. It enables us to …
Continue reading “The Circle of Assumptions”
The art of communicating authentically is a learned skill. It takes coaching and practice to do it well. Communicating authentically means being honest, open and thoughtful in what you say – and in how you listen and respond to what you hear. This tool describes four effective communication skills that will help leaders communicate authentically. …
Continue reading “Four Effective Communication Skills”
There is a science and an art to achieving real, meaningful change. The art lies in knowing how to design the change management process – and how to facilitate it so that real change occurs. The science lies in knowing the key factors of success and applying them rigorously. This tool lays out the six …
Continue reading “Six Key Factors of Change Management”
The Nine Types of Strategy is an excellent tool I developed 25 years ago that remains as true today as it was then in describing the different ways organizations can conceive of business strategy. When tipping points or catalytic moments arise in an industry, or a competitor has gained significant advantage by being first to …
Continue reading “Choosing the Right Organizational Strategy”
I worked recently with the Board of Directors of a large public power company. They needed stronger governance systems. I talked about how effective boards work. I detailed our approach. “With our framework,” I told them, “the board expresses exactly what it wants the organization to achieve in the form of policies. By defining what …
Continue reading “Developing Governance Policies – How Effective Boards Work”
I’ve been working with this one client for about six years, so I know them well. I can recite their history of success – and failure – in setting priorities and sticking to them. Their biggest challenge is a lack of bandwidth to manage any large initiative. Everyone, from the CEO on down, is so busy focusing on client …
Continue reading “Setting Priorities – and Sticking to Them”
Client Member Area