Candor:
The trouble with most of us is that we would rather be ruined by praise than saved by criticism.
– Norman Vincent Peale
I agreed to talk to the boss. Three of my peers approached me about a sales campaign that they thought missed the mark. It was our boss’s idea, but it wasn’t a good one.
Over time, I became the person my peers came to when someone needed to confront our boss. I accepted that role and felt comfortable doing it. I just wish my peers would have spoken directly to our boss themselves instead of going through me. Continue Reading…
A lot of people do not like performance reviews. Many times it is the anticipation of bad news that can cause anxiety in the individual. The fear of the unknown can overwhelm people.
That’s the problem. Nothing that is discussed in a performance review should be unknown.
That is why they are called performance reviews – NOT performance reveals! Continue Reading…
“If you ever find yourself trying to read me, stop it. I am not intentionally being vague. I am just being a bad communicator at that moment.” This statement became part of my introduction to people joining my team.
Most people reacted to that statement in two ways. Some seemed relieved. Some were confused. Whether it was relief or confusion, both reactions were the result of working on teams where they spent too much time trying to figure out their boss. Continue Reading…
Titles mean something. Team Leader, Manager, Supervisor, Vice-President- they are all titles bestowed on those who are called by an organization to lead. They have the official duties and responsibilities that go with the title.
John Maxwell says leadership is influence. If that is true, are the people with the titles the only ones called to lead? No. The title gives them some positional authority, but leaders are needed at every level of an organization. Continue Reading…
“You are one of my projects. I want to help you and teach you some of the things I’ve learned the hard way.” Mitchel took a drink of his beer, looked at me, nodded and thanked me.
I had just transferred to a new geography. Mitchel and I were peers. The only difference was I had been in leadership in our company for 5 years and Mitchel had recently been promoted. I knew he and I would work well together and become fast friends.
I was right…and wrong. Continue Reading…
Self-awareness sounds like some new age, kumbaya, talk show topic. As an aspiring man’s man, my low sensitivity level has not always allowed me to consider things like self-awareness. But, obviously I have or I would not have been able to write that last sentence…
Self-awareness is a critical element for the success of a leader. As a leader, if I do not recognize who I am and how I affect other people, I will never reach my potential. Continue Reading…
If I challenge my boss, she will thank me. If I speak up for what is right, my boss will not persecute me. If I fight for my integrity despite pressure from above, I will always keep my job.
None of these results are guaranteed if I do the right thing. The only time I have a guarantee is if I stay silent. My silence guarantees things will stay the way they are. Speaking up is the only way change may happen. Continue Reading…
Julie had her reservations. She wasn’t sure if this guy was right for the job. Over my first 18 months on the job, Julie always spoke with candor, and she seemed to be a good judge of people.
But, I didn’t listen. I convinced myself, and then her, that this guy was right for the job. I made a good case. With some skepticism, she finally agreed. So, I hired him.
Within 90 days, I knew I was in trouble. I should have listened to Julie. Continue Reading…
It was another day at work with Janet. She was once again telling me about her problems with her boyfriend. In my mind, she needed to ditch this loser.
I was confident he was lying to her, cheating on her, and was not the guy she should commit to any longer. But, her friends were advising her differently.
Me: “Who are these friends?”
Janet: “My girlfriends from the gym who I hang out with after work.”
Me: “Are any of them married?”
Janet: “No, why?”
Me: “Seek advice from people who are where you want to be. Not from people who are where you are.” Continue Reading…
Over the last 4 weeks I have been sharing my experiences taking over new teams and my insights based on times when I did it well and when I did it poorly. I learned new things each time and believe what I am sharing can help anyone stepping in to lead a new team. The 5 Steps for New Leaders on New Teams are:
Steps 1-3 are all building towards what I see to be the two most important attributes of successful teams: Trust and Culture. Continue Reading…
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