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
productivity
Get Out of Your Slump
When was the last time you told someone at work that you were doing great, and meant it? Are you seizing the day or sleepwalking through it? Are you maybe feeling a bit “meh” at work? Even the most dedicated professionals hit a wall. When work feels like a monotonous routine, or a sense of "fine" replaces genuine fulfillment, it’s a clear sign you’re in a slump. The … [Read more...] about Get Out of Your Slump
Performance Improvement Plans That Work
Dealing with under-performing employees is one of the biggest challenges of a leader. When faced with this situation, we need to figure out: Is this a talent issue, a training issue, a management issue, a motivation issue, or more likely – a combination. Often “Performance Improvement Plans” – PIPs – are used in this situation. Here are some ideas on how to use them … [Read more...] about Performance Improvement Plans That Work
Improve Your Delegation Skills
You have high standards of excellence. You seek perfection in everything you do. You receive lots of accolades for your performance. Therefore, it makes it really hard for you to delegate . . . This is a classic problem and I have seen it plague experienced leaders as well as new ones. Based on a recent article in Harvard Business Review, here are some … [Read more...] about Improve Your Delegation Skills
Improve Your One-on-One Meetings
Whether you are the boss or the direct report, many people dread their regular one-on-one meetings. It does not have to be that way! Here are some tips to improve your meetings: *How Often? Every two weeks works for most people, but of course there are exceptions. *How Long? Block 50 minutes and don’t feel like you have to fill the time. If you are done then you … [Read more...] about Improve Your One-on-One Meetings