Focus on what is Not Urgent & Important. Steven Covey famously suggested this in his book, First Things First. When you do this you are able to focus on true strategic issues that will make an impact on your organization and its stakeholders. Covey says that we need to Minimize work on issues that are Urgent & Important, Delegate issues that are Urgent & Not … [Read more...] about Reducing Your Urgent List
Decision Making
Improve Your Critical Thinking
Surveys of Chief Human Resource Officers list Critical Thinking Skills as #1 attribute they are looking for in new hires. We can all make improvements in this area. Here are three excellent suggestions from an HBR article on how we can improve our Critical Thinking. 1. Question Assumptions. This can be difficult since – by definition – our assumptions are in the … [Read more...] about Improve Your Critical Thinking
Solving Coworker Conflict
Maybe it is a big personality difference. Perhaps they wield power over you without any logic whatsoever. Possibly they have never produced a good idea in their entire life. Regardless, most all of us have had to deal with “coworker conflict.” A study reported in a recent article in Harvard Business Review found that 94% of those surveyed had worked with a “toxic” … [Read more...] about Solving Coworker Conflict
Virtual Brainstorming is Better
The pandemic taught us a lot about working virtually. Some things can actually be done better online – like Brainstorming. The opportunity to be fully anonymous with idea generation and evaluation is one of the things I like best about virtual brainstorming. It also helps to level the playing field between introverts and extroverts, as well as optimists and … [Read more...] about Virtual Brainstorming is Better
Dr. King: “Do What Is Right”
We all know about Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, but here is a lesser known quote that can help guide us: “Cowardice asks the question, 'Is it safe?' Expediency asks the question, 'Is it politic?' Vanity asks the question, 'Is it popular?' But, conscience asks the question, 'Is it right?' And there comes a time when one must take a position that is … [Read more...] about Dr. King: “Do What Is Right”