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Is your leadership developing or diminishing?
Many leaders are gifted, enthusiastic and driven, but they often overlook the fundamentals. Things like monitoring the ideas, the horizon, and their organization's capabilities, plus listening to feedback and adapting appropriately to create the conditions for success. The manager's missing link
Many first-time managers struggle because they have never been taught how to master their core responsibilities - the heart of which is becoming an expert about the people they manage. Soft skills can be hard to learn
So-called "soft skills" have taken a much higher profile in recent decades. Yet some personality types – notably Type As - still have a tough time even grasping the value of soft skills, let alone mastering the skills themselves. What can a college degree do for you?
To those who might question the value of a college degree, please let me encourage you to "go for it." If you still don't think it's worth it, perhaps a few figures might persuade you otherwise. Is the down economy inspiring your entrepreneurial drive?
When unemployment rises, the truth starts to ring home: All jobs are temporary and people can be let go at any moment. With neither the government nor corporate America looking out for your interests, perhaps it's time to make things happen on their own. Believe, and help others see why they should, too
Belief is a powerful thing. People who look at a challenge and say "I can't" have already determined their outcome without even an ounce of effort. That's why it is so important that managers engage team members by communicating belief in their abilities. Engage people by showing how their work contributes
One of the secrets to creating passionate, engaged employees and to
motivate teams to top performance is actually very simple. Engage people's desire to contribute by showing them how their work is part of the bigger picture. Rethinking workplace training
Organizations need to take a balanced approach to learning and development. So have you really thought how much more effective your employees could be if you put more effort into aligning more of their learning with your company's vision and mission? Three ways to impress your employees
Some employers act as if they shouldn't worry about impressing their employees unless it has to do with flaunting their wealth. But most know that when they make an effort to impress their staff, the result is increased commitment and productivity. Three ways to impress your boss
Whether you're working toward a raise, a promotion, or your work ethic just won't let you do otherwise, you probably want to hear the words "good job" from your boss. If that's you, one of the quickest ways to impress your boss is by making his or her life easier. A cure for perfectionism
Being a perfectionist is not something to aspire to Perfectionism is a thief that consumes the healthy things inside ourselves. It is a mental obstacle that prevents forward progress. It causes mental stress, tension, and fatigue and contributes to an imbalanced life Are people really your most important asset?
Many companies proclaim that their employees are their greatest asset. Unfortunately, the phrase has become somewhat cliché, similar to saying employees are "empowered." These are valid statements only if companies put actions behind their claims. Why new managers encounter trouble
Before you promote someone to a supervisory or managerial role, ask yourself these questions. Is the person you're promoting ready for the position? And are you willing to do what it takes to equip that person for the job? If you answer "no", you're asking for trouble. Dan's recommended reads
It's that time of year again when I offer my annual list of recommended reads, whether you're looking for a good book to give as a gift or you want something for your own reading pleasure. The value of self-reliance
Advancement - to whatever level one wants - comes through personal effort. We can't rely on others to bring us success. Achieving your dream means determining what you want and then doing what it takes to achieve it. How much personal business at work is reasonable?
The average worker apparently spends approximately two hours each day taking care of personal matters. So why is so much personal business being done at work? And what - if anything - should we do about it? Engaging change: six tips for surviving and thriving
With the economy experiencing a major shakeup, every day presents new challenges and opportunities. How managers adapt to the changing horizon can make the difference between surviving or thriving.
Read any good books lately? So what?
Reading a book is one thing. But to incorporate what you've read into your life is quite another. Which explains why managers continue to flounder, in spite of reading all the "recommended" books on management. Getting 97 percent of what you need to succeed
However you define success, everyone seems to want it. But most people struggle in the effort - and that begs the question, what is needed to get past the obstacles on the road to success? Positive thinking: does it really get results?
The idea that positive thinking can affect our lives for the better has been gaining momentum over the past 80 years, and even more so recently. So does the concept work? I dare say it does - within reason. Five simple keys to building solid teams
When I ask teams what they would like from their supervisors, the same simple things keep coming up. You might think they're obvious - but if they are, teams wouldn't continually be mentioning them! What are you doing to increase trust?
Without trust, there's no passion or desire for excellence. Employees stop contributing, valuable new ideas are never brought the table and bad ideas are never challenged. An organization suffering from these conditions eventually becomes incapable of correcting its own mistakes. Is your work an obligation or an opportunity?
People tend to see work either as an obligation, overbearing, or an opportunity. And if you want to take the opportunity to rise above the mundane and "make a difference", try thinking like an entrepreneur. Workplace values must be valued – by all
Criticizing people who adhere to a code of ethical, moral behavior seems to occur in the workplace more often than most of us would like to admit. Cutting corners can lead to catastrophe
Cutting corners on the fundamentals to save a few dollars in the short-term may end up costing you big time. It's far wiser to budget for known costs rather than risk unknown costs that could wipe you out. Erratic economy may be a good time to step up
In an unstable economy, taking risks can be seen as foolish. But success occurs only when people chances. And despite what critics you might encounter, now might be a great time to take a risk. Avenues for employee complaints seem to be closed
A prime reason for employee unhappiness is that companies do not adhere to a set of standards. Some are too forgiving of employee misconduct, while others are managed by people who themselves overstep boundaries and could care less about rules. New managers need to learn assertiveness
When you're not experienced, being on the receiving end of a heated conversation can be tough. But verbal challenges can be addressed tactfully and professionally as long as we've thought through a process for how to do it.
It's time to rethink the way you think
Recent discoveries in how the brain functions have resulted in some startling new conclusions about implementing change. In other words, it's time to rethink how we think. Time for a low-carb Lean Six Sigma?
Lean Six Sigma is all very well, but it doesn't take into account intangibles. And ignoring things they can't be measured - like integrity, team spirit, dedication and loyalty - is downright dangerous. The missing link in strategic plans
It is widely acknowledged that effective training programs make it much easier for organisations to achieve their strategic goals. But strategically-aligned training is still missing from most companies. Helping co-workers cope with loss
When people are hit with a tragic loss, don't believe for a moment that they're leaving their personal lives at the door. Debilitating diseases, divorce or the death of a loved-one are among the most stressful events anyone can experience. Big help available for small businesses
You opened your business with less than $35,000 operating capital. You have less than five employees. Some say you are crazy. I say people like you are the backbone of the country. And the good news is that there is plenty of help out there for you. How to kill morale and start an exodus
If you want to know how an apparently competent manager can preside over the destruction of team morale and productivity and the exodus of their best staff, this true story provides some salutary lessons. Turning E-learning into a powerful asset
As someone who strives to create engaging e-learning, I have to admit, I said "no kidding!" when Management-Issues ran a piece entitled "E-learning is a boring distraction". But even though it's often true, it doesn't have to be like this. Focus your team with stories
What's your story? Study just about any inspiring leader and you will find someone who can tell a story that drives home a point – all the way down to a person's core. How to hire, train, and retain great employees
Accurate job descriptions are like stealth secret weapons for hiring, training, and retaining great employees. I guarantee whatever effort you put forth will save you hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars. My end of year list of recommended reads
Whether you're looking for a good book to give as a gift or you want something for your own reading pleasure, it's time once again for my annual "must read" list. Stand your ground with manipulators
Manipulation in the workplace is profoundly damaging to employee commitment. And since nobody likes being manipulated, it pays to become a student of how to stand your ground in the face of manipulators. What are your workplace pet peeves?
No workplace is perfect. And while we can usually perform well around people who have a wide range of idiosyncrasies, some behaviors just get under our skin. 
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