There’s a popular phrase in HR circles doing the rounds, about “Letting employees bring their best selves to work”. Not only is it a nice idea, it makes economic sense. People’s best selves do far better work, than people’s crappy selves. Of course they do. For the same reason happy chickens lay more eggs than […]
The pandemic has shown us how crisis can lead to rapid innovation. Just look at all of the companies that quickly pivoted to curbside pickup or adapted their services to new health regulations. How can a leader help their team retain this agility and sense of urgency even when there’s no crisis? Here are three […]
Telling a good yarn can help you win over a colleague, a team, an executive, a recruiter or a large conference room. But what does that look like? The best stories don’t just communicate information or elicit an emotional reaction — they’re also a tool to persuade and motivate people. So start by contextualizing your […]
You can tell what people priorities are by what they allow on their calendars. You can tell a lot by breaking down what fills peoples workdays. Paul Graham, founder of Y Combinator, breaks them down into one of two categories :: makers or managers. There are folks who spend most of their day managing either […]
There’s not one leadership style that works for all contexts. For example, in some situations, it’ll make sense to tell people what to do, whereas asking open-ended questions will work better in others. You might need to adjust goals as new information emerges, or, under certain circumstances, stick exactly to the plan. You should adjust […]
How does purpose impact an organization’s performance? That’s the question Harvard Business School Professor Rebecca Henderson explored during a recent lecture streamed via Facebook Live. Professor Henderson discusses the role that purpose can play in driving employee motivation, productivity, and creativity. Over the course of the talk, Henderson covered a lot of ground, addressing: How […]
When people know why they’re being asked to do something, they’re much more likely to do it. So next time you’re preparing to deliver an important message to your team, make sure you’re clear on the “why” behind it. 1. Start by asking yourself a few “what” questions, such as: What are the stakes? What […]
Many companies have formal, hierarchical mentoring programs nested somewhere in their HR department. But evidence shows that these programs alone won’t sufficiently engage or develop junior talent. If you’re interested in mentoring, think about becoming a “mentor of the moment,” by seeking development opportunities in daily interactions. Check in regularly with junior colleagues. See how […]
Nothing good comes of envy. If employees are resentful about what they feel they deserve or what others have, morale and well-being will suffer. Leaders can combat envy by building a culture of goodwill (“I’m grateful for what I have, and happy about your success”) rather than one of comparison (“I deserve what you have”). […]
As a manager, you probably have to talk a lot. You want people to have the guidance and direction they need, of course, and there are plenty of situations where you need to speak your mind. But at some point, talking a lot can turn into over-communicating. You can end up dominating conversations, which means […]
Versatility is a key leadership trait. Managers must have the capacity to read and respond to change with a wide repertoire of skills and behaviors. So how can you actually build this ability? [1] Start by soliciting feedback from trusted colleagues. Ask a simple question like, “What should I start doing, stop doing, or continue […]
During stressful and uncertain times, it’s normal to feel anxious and scared. Chances are, most people around you feel it, too. It’s easy to infect each other with anxiety and fear, but we can take steps to protect ourselves from these emotional contagions. Cut down on how often you engage in venues where fear feeds […]
It’s not always clear how you should think about growing in your career. One thing to try is writing a “from/to” statement that articulates where you are today and where you want to go. For example :: I want to progress from an individual contributor who adds value through technical expertise and closely follows others’ […]
When our daily routines are geared toward barreling through a to-do list, it can be hard to set the right conditions for creativity. Fortunately, there is a time-tested approach — that’s also quite simple — for generating creative ideas. 1 :: Gather raw materials in your area of interest. This could mean anything from articles […]
The coronavirus crisis has led to radical shifts in consumer attitudes and behaviors. How can you adjust your marketing strategy accordingly? 1. For starters, you’ll need to change the tone of your messaging. Feel-good content that alleviates anxiety and promotes solidarity will help your brand meet the moment. 2. Find ways your company can help […]
High achievers often have lofty aspirations for self-improvement. But big goals — such as “meditate for an hour every day,” or “read more” — are often more burdensome than they are sustainable. So, start small by focusing on “microhabits” — more achievable behaviors that you build over long periods of time. 1 :: These habits […]
Supervisors who suddenly have found themselves managing a fully remote team may be wondering how to measure employee productivity and quality of work from a distance. The key ingredient is trust You may not be able to see what people are doing, but you can still equip them with the information they need, assign them […]
Good presenters know how to connect with their audience — which is really challenging in a virtual setting. To start, you have to adopt an engaged, active persona. Make “eye contact” with your participants by looking directly into the camera as often as possible. This can be hard to remember, especially if you have to […]
Every business has subject-matter experts who are the keepers of critical information or who serve as the firm’s institutional memory. How do you ensure that they pass their knowledge on to the next generation, especially if you don’t want to burden the person with training lots of people? Try using what experts call a knowledge […]
One of the most important — and toughest — parts of being a manager is hiring. Too many of us look for talent in the same old (wrong) places or follow the popular trend of thinking the “best hire” is the “best culture fit.” It’s time to update your tactics: Here’s what to stop doing […]