In many workplace cultures, the process of pursuing consensus for nearly all decisions is creating inefficiency and frustration. With the best of intentions of including others and gathering wisdom from throughout the organization, “consensus” has become the default decision-making process in many places. Certainly, consensus has its place in organizational … [Read more...] about Collaboration vs Consensus
Implementation
The Hardest New Year’s Goal
New Year’s Resolutions are quite a tradition. In a piece I wrote for The Washington Post a number of years ago, I recommend setting “Goals” vs “Resolutions.” But regardless, one of the most popular of these – and I believe the hardest – is the goal to “lose weight.” Having some experience with this goal myself, here are some tips to support you in reaching the goal. Set … [Read more...] about The Hardest New Year’s Goal
Results List vs To Do List
Here’s a New Year’s Goal idea for you – replace your To Do List with a Results List. A To Do List is Stuff you are going “To Do.” A Results List are Results you are “Committed to Producing.” They are Outcomes. Then you can connect a “To Do” list to every Result on your List. But that is not how most “To Do” lists work. They usually exist separate from a commitment … [Read more...] about Results List vs To Do List
Motivational Booster Shots
It is so easy to get sidelined and demotivated when working on a project. It is part of the human condition! New research* reported in Harvard Business Review provides some tips on ways to help boost your motivation: *Set Goals with Intrinsic Rewards. When the accomplishment of the goal itself is desirable, motivation tends to be more sustained. The motivation to work … [Read more...] about Motivational Booster Shots
Unforced Errors & Winners
Wimbledon just concluded and the US Open is just six weeks away – time for some great tennis! I’m not a good player, but here are a few of my observations from watching some excellent matches. I think there are some takeaways we can apply to our working world. Champions Minimize Foolish Mistakes. One statistic that the commentators refer to is “unforced errors” – errors … [Read more...] about Unforced Errors & Winners