Giving – and receiving – feedback, is one of the most challenging aspects of a managerial relationship. Most managers believe that being direct with negative feedback is essential for helping employees improve. But when constructive input crosses the line into destructive criticism, it does far more harm than good. In a recent Harvard Business Review article, researchers … [Read more...] about Doing Feedback Right
Leadership
Leaders are Great Followers
The “old school” model of the leader as “hero” is dead. And in today’s complex environment, no leader has “all the answers.” Traditional expertise is becoming decentralized – and accelerated by AI, meaning leaders can no longer rely on sheer authority to add value. Successful leaders today are facilitators of a collective process in which they can tap into expertise across … [Read more...] about Leaders are Great Followers
Practicing Wise Empathy
A key part of developing our Emotional Intelligence is improving our Empathy. But exactly how do you that? A recent article in Harvard Business Review provides some helpful insights into this challenge. Here are some things we can all do to be empathetic while still driving high performance and holding people accountable. The authors call this mastering “wise empathy.” … [Read more...] about Practicing Wise Empathy
Make Mentoring Part of Your Culture
There is a lot more going on in any organization than you are going to find out about by reading the Employee Handbook. For example: “What’s the culture really like?” “What are do’s and don’ts around the Big Bosses?” “What do I need to do to get promoted?” These are the kinds of questions that a good mentor can help you answer. Unfortunately, mentoring is a huge … [Read more...] about Make Mentoring Part of Your Culture
Aligning Your Strategy and Execution
“Is Execution Where Strategy Goes to Die?” That is the headline of an article from Harvard Business Review online (11/7/17). That’s a funny, but sad, headline – because it is so true! The article goes on to say: “Execution is an odd word. On the one hand, it means ‘the carrying out of a plan or course of action.’ On the other, it means, ‘the carrying out of a death … [Read more...] about Aligning Your Strategy and Execution