You want the elusive “Balanced Life” and cannot seem to get there. Maybe you need to say “no” more often. I learned this the hard way when I had so much stress that I believe it contributed to a cancer diagnosis. That was 43 years ago – I am happy to be alive and that I learned to start saying “no” more often. Here is an interesting list from Matt Rutherford on ten ways … [Read more...] about Polite Ways You Can Say No
Implementation
Making AI Productive for You
Generative AI tools can draft reports, analyze complex datasets, and compose polished client emails in mere seconds. But sheer speed does not equal true productivity if the output lacks strategic nuance, audience awareness, or sound professional judgment. In their Harvard Business Review article, "Help Employees Get Better-Not Just Faster-with AI," strategy consultants … [Read more...] about Making AI Productive for You
When You Cannot Manage Change
A friend pulls out a 64-square game board and asks, “Want to play?” You see two games: chess or checkers. So, you ask, “Which one?” Today’s organizations – for profit, NGO, and government – confront challenges that, like the board, invite two different games: traditional management and adaptive practice. To know which, you must ask: Is this a “we know how to do this” … [Read more...] about When You Cannot Manage Change
The Illusiveness of Accountability
Everyone agrees that holding people accountable is crucial for high performing teams and organizations. And yet, so many leaders do this very poorly. Some of the implications for lack of accountability include: Below average performance of the team and organization Resentment builds among team members Lack of accountability becomes a part of the culture and … [Read more...] about The Illusiveness of Accountability
Don’t Let Your Reliability be a Liability
Are you the “fix it” person? High-performing leaders often fall into a "fixing" cycle. When something goes wrong, they always come to you. And sure enough, you are able to fix it – whatever “it” is. Over time, this creates a toxic dependency. The more you fix, the less others have to. Your reliability effectively masks systemic issues, allowing broken processes and … [Read more...] about Don’t Let Your Reliability be a Liability