Category Archives: Surrounding yourself with talent

Are we managing like JERKS?

Are we who issue orders to associates or employees ever acting as jerks?  We’d never like to think so, or we wouldn’t do it in the first place. Here’s a clue… If someone is saying “This is confusing to me” … Continue reading

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Hire on ability. Fire on fit.

This is not necessarily the way we intend to behave as managers, but our headline reflects the reality of most experiences when viewed in retrospect. Don’t we most often hire based on experience? We carefully vet the potential hire for … Continue reading

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Would you celebrate your mistakes?

Leading by example How do you teach your work force that mistakes are OK as long as they learn and don’t repeat them?  By being a visible example.  A friend and fellow CEO states that he publishes each of his … Continue reading

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Learn processes from your employees at work

Empathy comes from experience. Over fifty years ago, I was CEO of a record manufacturing company in Hollywood.  We were the only such facility on the West coast to provide and control the entire process from studio, through finished vinyl … Continue reading

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Is ‘servant leadership’ too soft for you?

First, what is “servant leadership?” It’s a term rooted in ancient philosophy.  Robert Greenleaf may have been the first to resurrect the concept in his book published in 1970.  Not quite as bold as inverting the management triangle, the concept … Continue reading

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Is “management by walking around” an outmoded fad?

Let’s set the scene. One of the CEOs I used to coach started his day by walking the floor of his extended facility and checking in with managers and employees of the various departments, especially the call center.  He tried … Continue reading

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Stop managers from gaming the system!

Does this really happen? Business unit managers are under lots of pressure to perform, and occasionally are tempted to step over the line finding ways to look better than reality reflects.  Of course, this has never happened to you, and … Continue reading

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Why should you explain WHY?

Remember the five “W’s?” In my early journalism classes, I was taught the five “W’s” of good news stories, and that most should be in the first paragraph at that.  Who, what, when, where and why are the five, with … Continue reading

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Are you the leader if no-one follows?

Here is a variation of the “tree falls in the forest” question.  In past insights, we’ve looked at leadership skills, ways to enhance effectiveness, and how to develop creative ideas that motivate and propel your organization to greatness.  Here is … Continue reading

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Learn the power of NO!

Over the years I have counseled entrepreneurs to think of a “no” response in terms of “yes, but…”  There is always another way to say “no” that leaves the door open for creative thinking. Well, almost always.  Sometimes, you just … Continue reading

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