I’m a Chicago Bears fan, and we just had a brutal season. For the last 20 seasons, I have shared the highs and lows of my favorite team with fellow fans at a bar in Burbank. In an environment like that, people always have their signature cheer or saying. One guy always yells to the […]
Leadership & Management
Free Your Mind
A constant stream of stuff surrounds us. Every day there’s news, gossip, debates, and entertainment. There are hundreds of channels, podcasts, and websites. Let’s not forget about the never-ending feed from your various social media streams. At work, customers have needs, employees have complaints, bosses have concerns, and you have to wade through all of […]
The Moral Hazard Of Lazy Thinking
I spend a fair amount of time arguing against the trappings of easy thinking, or as I like to call it, lazy thinking. This type of thinking relies on assumptions that sound logical to determine choices, actions, and judgments. It’s a part of human nature, and it’s a problem for managers. In his post, “Moral hazard […]
The Power Of 4 Letter Words
There are words for every occasion. Some are considered polite. Others are considered profane. In business, there are three words that are often connected: weak, fear, and kind. Many managers, new and seasoned, are afraid of being seen as weak. Being weak drives them to be harsh, inflexible, cold and insecure. These managers mean to […]
Aggressive Bosses And Crazy Goals
Like most managers, I have had poor experiences with previous bosses that guide me away from being overly aggressive with my teams. I strive to be supportive, understanding and collaborative. There is a risk to this approach that your team may not perform at its highest level. You can manage that through clear communication and […]
Winning Your Performance Review
Your employees are not the only ones who need to reach their goals to keep their jobs. You do too. That’s why every few months I remind you to check how you’re doing toward your performance review. This is part self-management and managing up. Why now? We’re in August, a slow time for many markets. […]
