Some people push back when you ask them to take a positive approach in their leadership. They equate positivity with being nice, but being kind is deeper than empty hype like, “Good job” or “Nice work” or “Super!” You can’t be too kind. But, I agree you can be too soft. There’s a difference between … Read more
Engagement matters. Gallup quantified this issue by studying employee engagement for 40-plus years. Some of their recent findings include: 34% of employees report active engagement in their jobs. 50% of employees report a lack of engagement in their jobs. 16% of employees report active disengagement. In world-class organizations, the ratio of engaged employees to actively … Read more
You may have heard me share this quote from Batman Begins: “Bruce, deep down you may still be that same great kid you used to be. But it’s not who you are underneath… it’s what you do that defines you.” Batman Begins (2005) I’m not a fan of pumping people up with an “attitude is … Read more
Jim, the principal at my first teaching job, often said, “Most days, we have fun around here.” He said this to me at my job interview and followed it with “…and you can’t say that about most jobs.” I accepted the job and realized he was right. But that was 30 years ago, and Jim … Read more
There is no shortage of information about how work is changing. Many sources support these two points: Employees have several options about where to work, and a lot aren’t happy where they are working now. Employers know these facts, and they’re worried. “Insight #2” on Principal’s 2021 Quarter 3 Retirement Security Survey provides the following … Read more
Around the time I changed careers, 2008-2010, I discovered the book The Four-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss. This recent article in the New Yorker reminded me of that book. Consider reading the article to learn more. However, I found some of the suggestions and concepts interesting enough to share here. One area of interest I … Read more
While it may be cliché to write a blog post about gratitude the week of Thanksgiving, it’s also a good reminder as we move into the holiday season. For many, November and December bring additional stress, frustration, and hardship. The last two years have been difficult. It’s human to dwell on our struggles. In fact, … Read more
Whenever the phrases “unconscious bias,” “implicit bias,” or “diversity and equity” come up, it seems people make immediate assumptions. They think the topic is about to be related to stuff in the news or marginalized populations. Then, they shut down. Smart leaders know bias exists in everyone. No one is truly objective. Additionally, not all … Read more
My friend and guest blogger Matt Pries shared this anonymous quote: “You will get tired of your message long before people fully understand it. And it is absolutely okay to not change the message and to be relentless, boring, and redundant to help people catch up to what you’re trying to get done.” This is … Read more
When I was a teacher, I learned certain responses annoyed students when they asked clarifying questions: “If you were paying attention, you’d know.” “As I said twelve minutes ago…” “I just told you that.” “It’s in the syllabus. Did you read it?” No one likes to be talked down to. The best teachers answer the … Read more