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How to Ward Off Energy Vampires
A colleague and I were discussing how some people give you energy while others drain the life out of you. At work, these “energy vampires” come in several guises: Whiners and complainers grumble about what’s wrong but don’t offer any suggestions for change Needy...
Feedback Finesse
The Finer Points of Feedback In working with leaders on improving the feedback they give to their managers, I focus on ways they can bolster their positive feedback and approaches to help them handle difficult situations. Most leaders are good at articulating what...
Lift or Drag
Are Your Employees the Wind Beneath Your Wings or an Anchor Tied to Your Feet? One of the keys to success as a leader is having the time to think strategically. If you want to devote more time to strategic analysis, your staff will likely have to step up their game,...
What Kind of Power Do You Have?
Power — the ability to wield authority to influence events and people — can be essential to getting things done. And whether we realize it or not, all of us are in some way “power-full.” We all have abilities, traits, and resources we can draw on to influence others....
Don’t Resist Resistance
If there is a corollary to the adage that change is never easy, it’s that with change comes resistance. When asked to make a change, people may not see a need for it, they may resent that it’s being forced on them, and they may worry it will have negative consequences...
Making Meetings Work
When you consider how much time you spend in meetings, it’s obvious that eliminating some and increasing the effectiveness of others will give you more time to do your work, develop your team, and build relationships. To be productive, meetings require preparation and...
Engaging Questions
Some senior leaders I coach are troubled that their staff appear intimidated by them. But it’s not because of their behavior, they contend. They genuinely want their people to engage, push back, and offer feedback when they present ideas, but it seems their title and...
Got the Middle Management Blues?
In many organizations, being in middle management can be rewarding and fun. You are close to the business, have lots of contact with customers, and are leading a team of strong performers. You get to keep your hands in the work while also being responsible for setting...