Over the last several years, we have been hearing more and more from our clients about the new generation of employees, the Millennials. Among the unique attributes of this generation is the need to find fulfillment at work and in their personal lives – the proverbial work/life balance.
Create a High Performing Workplace
9/20/2011In order get the best out of your workforce, look to create an environment that:
Ensures employees understand the significance of their work
- Do employees understand how their job impacts customers?
- Do employees understand how their job impacts the success of the organization?
- Do employees feel valued?
Appreciates employee contributions
- Do leaders/managers show appreciation to their direct reports?
- Do leaders/managers treat direct reports with respect?
- Are employees fairly compensated for the work that they do?
Allows employees to build their competence
- Are employees’ skills and talents being used to their fullest potential?
Three Tips to Calm Chicken Little
7/14/2011“The sky is falling! The sky is falling!” — Chicken Little aka Henny Penny
I’ve worked with a number of Chicken Little’s over the years. You know them…employees who become almost hysterical in their reaction to feedback or their belief that organizational or team disaster is imminent. These people are often unreasonably afraid. Worse yet, they often try to incite fear in those around them. So what can a leader do to calm Chicken Little?
3 Tips for Increasing Team Effectiveness
6/14/2011As I have worked with leaders and frontline employees over the years, it is apparent that they know exactly what good teamwork is and isn’t; however, the steps to achieve good teamwork seem more elusive.
Many leaders don’t know how to build an effective team because they say that they have never been part of a really great team. They don’t know what behaviors and actions should be created and replicated. While there are many factors that contribute to team effectiveness, if a leader pays attention to three key areas, s/he will set the foundation for great teamwork:
Intent vs. Impact
3/29/2011In the course of our work in leadership development we are asked to develop programs for our clients. One of the most popular development areas focuses on communication. While there are a variety of topic areas and assessments we cover, a common kick-off point for our introduction is the difference between impact and intent.
In a group setting we ask participants to name the communication-related behaviors they perceive as problematic or annoying in their workplaces. Most lists include behaviors like: “don’t share their opinions,” “dominate conversations,” “whine,” “don’t ask questions”, “don’t want to hear varying viewpoints.” These would be our examples of impact – how others’ communication style impacts us.
