This tool describes how to use strategy teams to plan and implement specific strategies for your organization. Through the effective use of strategy teams, leadership can engage those who will be affected by a strategy in planning and implementation. This helps assure the success of the strategy and helps build higher performing organizations. What does …
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As a leader, you need to know what people want from you. This handy tool divides people into four types, based on their level of need and level of trust. It enables you to understand the needs of your direct reports and determine the management style that will work best with them. Instructions For each …
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This tool provides a snapshot of the individual development process. It shows the six evolutionary steps in how individuals feel about change. By figuring out where you are in this cycle, you can envision what you need to do next in order to make progress. Say you’re thinking about improving your marketing skills, but feel …
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This tool provides a simple, straightforward checklist for an effective decision making process. Leaders can use this tool to clarify decision making steps for defining roles and responsibilities – and training people to make better decisions. It includes brief definitions of the five types of decisions (our “Five Types of Decisions” tool contains detailed explanations …
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This invaluable tool helps managers with effective meeting management. It describes the five types of meetings, how to put together an effective agenda, and the roles of the meeting leader. Introduction Most people would rather not meet for lengthy periods. They prefer that communication somehow occur without sitting down to talk. But the reality is, …
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This tool defines the 20 leadership qualities that researchers have identified as common to virtually all organizations. It can be used to identify the leadership qualities people value most within their organization. It can also be used to help an individual leader assess his or her own leadership skills. Suggested Exercise: A manager can ask …
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This handy tool provides a way for employees to suggest ideas for improvement (a new market to go into, a new product to sell, or a new way of doing business). Using a simple template, it asks for five pieces of information that are important in evaluating whether the idea has merit. Leaders can tell …
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This tool lists 10 ways to encourage innovation. 1. Create a corporate venture fund, establish clear criteria for picking projects, and seed the fund with enough money to make people pay attention. Then promote it and see what happens. 2. Put together in-house teams to track the competition, with each team focusing on one product …
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This tool describes four key factors of new product development. First, if a new program or product isn’t to your liking, think twice before imposing your critical judgment on it. If people believe it will work, then you’ve got to embrace it until they’ve had a chance to prove themselves. It’s easy to say you …
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This tool explains how to prepare for a business crisis that you hope will never happen. We can all think of examples of leaders who failed to react well when a crisis hit. Think about Watergate. Think about Arthur Anderson and the Enron scandal. Think about Ford Motor Company’s failure to replace faulty tires on …
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