Recent research shows that taking regular, strategic breaks during your workday can improve performance. Rather than charging forward all day long, trying to stay in front of your computer as long as possible, taking some time away can actually be more productive. But your breaks need to be strategic. According to new research published in Harvard Business Review, here … [Read more...] about Strategic Daily Breaks for Improved Performance
Handling Your Staff’s Complaints
Not all staff complaints are created equal. Done productively, complaints can actually provide valuable feedback and lead to improvements in operations. Sometimes a complaint is simply a way for people to vent. If this is over and done with once the venting is complete – then it can be fine. If there is more to it, then it needs to be redirected into a more productive … [Read more...] about Handling Your Staff’s Complaints
Quick Assessment: Are You Burned Out?
Are you exhausted with no energy to do good work? Are you cynical with negative attitudes toward projects? If so, you might be burned out. What is burnout anyway? There are different definitions of burnout, and here is one recently suggested in an article in Harvard Business Review. Check out this quick assessment to see if you might be headed toward … [Read more...] about Quick Assessment: Are You Burned Out?
Assess Your Team
How can you improve your team’s performance? Recently, I did a training workshop for staff of the Cherokee Nation on Teamwork. Many of their questions centered around this question, and I suggested: “You might think about starting with an assessment.” You can keep it simple and take fifteen minutes at the end of your next staff or Board meeting to ask: *What’s are … [Read more...] about Assess Your Team
Let’s Commence!
This past weekend was my final time presiding over our University of Maryland Executive MBA Commencement, before moving on to my next career adventure. It was a great day! The faculty and student speakers that the cohort selected reminisced, encouraged, and challenged the group as they enter the next phases of their careers. For my part, I simply reminded them of the … [Read more...] about Let’s Commence!