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
Teamwork
How to Show People You Care
Early in my career a few people I respected recommended that I read the book, How to Win Friends and Influence People, by Dale Carnegie. I was not interested! I didn’t need to “win” friends. I was already good at “making” friends. And the “winning friends” part made me suspicious that the “influencing people” part was about “how to manipulate” people. Not … [Read more...] about How to Show People You Care
Do People Trust You?
What kind of leader do you want to be? The research on trust is very clear. Leaders who are trusted are much more effective. Teams that trust one another are more effective. And organizations in which high levels of trust exist among employees are more effective. This all starts with you as a leader. Can people count on you to be honest with them and to tell … [Read more...] about Do People Trust You?
Is Your Team Too Collegial?
Team harmony is good, right? Maybe not. We often view team harmony as the ultimate goal. We celebrate a lack of ego and a culture of collaboration. Yet many professional groups fall into a subtle but dangerous trap: they mistake collegiality for alignment. When respect and trust are replaced by a mere avoidance of conflict, the result isn't a better team—it's delayed … [Read more...] about Is Your Team Too Collegial?
Leading in Anxious Times
When the world feels unstable – which seems to be happening a lot lately – your team needs you to be a source of stability. This is easier said than done. According to a recent article in Harvard Business Review, managing spirits during anxious times requires more than a "keep calm and carry on" poster; it requires intentional, human-centric action. The quickest way to … [Read more...] about Leading in Anxious Times