Articles

Over the last ten years, increasingly you have found yourself being interrupted in the course of a work day with greater frequency. How do I know this to be true? We’ve all experienced it. Interruptions are now the chief impediment for HR professionals when it comes to getting things done. Worse still, interruptions are on the rise! Read more

Someone can easily say they are "leading with integrity," but the challenge lies in actually following through. The majority of us have had the importance of being honest instilled since we were children. Unfortunately, some people struggle more than others to live with and exhibit integrity, no matter how many times they hear it. Read more

The types of companies characterized by predominantly materialistic values are likely going to be those where workers will not be happy. Of course all companies need to be profitable, but if the goals of the company always put materialistic goals above all else, beware! It is likely that you are walking into a place virtually designed for misery. Read more

Creativity, as I’ve written before, is more a deliberate process of problem-solving than one of receiving divine inspiration or digging into one’s unconscious. It is, however, a special kind of problem-solving, in which you are the one who defines the problem and establishes the criteria for an acceptable solution. Read more

Let’s face it; our teams are watching our actions just as much as they are listening to our words. Without clarity in our communication (both verbal and nonverbal) our success will be severely limited and we will negatively impact the lives of those around us at the same time. Read more

A great leader knows when to drive and when to let others take the wheel. At some point in our lives we start to believe that saying “I don’t know” to a question is a bad thing. Whether we are in a classroom or a meeting, we are expected to provide answers when being asked questions. Right? One thing in which Sam Walton was extremely good was allowing the people around him to take the lead and answer the questions too. Read more

A persistent myth about creativity, one that seriously inhibits creative thinking and innovation, is the belief that one needs to “think outside the box.” Nothing could be further from the truth. Read more

Being a great boss is about being a great listener, remembering why you have two ears and only one mouth, so you can listen more than you speak. Being a great boss is about showing those around you how much you trust them by inspiring them to take chances and allowing them to make their own mistakes along the way. Read more

The concept of leading up is nothing new, but many people don’t fully understand the definition. To me, when someone is leading up, they are simply sharing leadership lessons or advice with people who are higher in the organization. It is ludicrous to think that just because someone holds a higher position, they are a better leader or they know all there is to know about leadership. Read more

Here is a prophecy that is so logical, yet so many in-transition business professionals think the concept is counter-productive, crazy, and 100% “off the wall”: You must communicate your specific salary requirements in the face of the cover letter when soliciting a prospective employer. Read more