Are You a Predictable Leader?
Some events are very predictable.When I was a kid, one of the surest signs that I was ready to catch some grief from my mom was her not-so-subtle inclusion of my middle name when she summoned me. When I was in school, I could usually tell I was in trouble when the teacher would add the formal-sounding "Mister" in front of my last name. In the history dating, the phrase "We have to talk" has never signaled the beginning of a big, fat, happy surprise. And if you're a manager, if the first though an employee has when you call for a one-on-one meeting is, "Crap. I'm in trouble"... there's a good chance that you're a BOSS, not a LEADER.
Read More5 Tips to Ignite Your Engagement!
By all means, invest in employee engagement activities and programs. But realize that the greatest ROI for your engagement buck is the investment you make in your own personal engagement...and that investment doesn't cost a penny.
Read MoreAcquiescing: Buzzards Behaving Badly…
You're going about your day, and someone responds negatively and forcefully to you when you haven't done anything wrong that you're aware of. Maybe you were in the wrong place at the wrong time.If you're like most people, you apologize and backtrack as if you recognize the error of your way. And then later, it may occur to you, "Hey! What did I do? That person jumped down my throat for no good reason!"
Read MoreSacri-Vesting: The Birds That Po(o)pped In
When you voluntary give up your temporary happiness for another--like I did when I let the Carolina wrens nest in and be-foul my shed--I call that SACRI-VESTING. It's that combination of sacrificing and investing that we do for those we care about and love.
Read MorePOOF! You’re Invisible!
Today, organizations employ PROBLEM SOLVERS like customer service representatives, mediators, human resource professionals, and arbitrators. All of these roles provide solutions. But a COMPLAINT DEPARTMENT offers only a place to complain, vent, whine, point the finger, belly-ache, and play the victim. Unless your actual job entails spending the day listening to coworkers gripe, here's what I'm suggesting...
Read MoreBetter Than Heroin
You don't have to drive into a seedy neighborhood, risking getting shot, robbed, or arrested to get your "fix." You can get your endorphins pumping without leaving home. How? Exercise, sex, pain, and even eating spicy foods all release endorphins!
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