Some people and organizations are addicted to “urgency” – it gives them a rush. It can be intoxicating indeed – “Hey everyone, the boss needs us in the conference room ASAP for an emergency meeting!” And there you have heated discussions why someone just complained about the color you used on a recent advertising flyer – and what to do about it. Give me a … [Read more...] about Say “No” to False Urgency
Teamwork
Break Out of Analysis Paralysis!
We are overloaded by too much information! And the amount of data available to us seems to be growing exponentially. It is easier than ever today to fall into the trap of Analysis Paralysis – reviewing more and more information, while delaying a decision. Here are some tips to break out of it: *How Important is the Decision? Do you need the ideal solution or is good … [Read more...] about Break Out of Analysis Paralysis!
Improving Your Team’s Performance
One of the most important responsibilities of a manager is to give your team “growth assignments.” A “growth assignment” is typically thought of as an opportunity for someone to take on a project or responsibility that they have not done before. They need to learn new information and possibly develop new skills along the way. One of the most difficult challenges for a … [Read more...] about Improving Your Team’s 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
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