Oct 16, 2024

Soft Skills: Not A Vulnerability

Respect may be the most important soft skill since in many ways respect opens the door for other skills including honesty, curiosity, and feeling we can safely ask questions, learn and grow. I can’t think of a job today that doesn’t need people to help each other, trust each other, find consensus, learn from each other and even forgive each other.

Apr 17, 2024

Change Management: Why Transformation Efforts Fail

Your change management process matters because it will be the path everyone shares. But what model should you choose? There is nothing wrong with Kotter’s eight stages or McKinsey’s seven stages. Your choice should work IF their steps are diligently completed. That said, I do like the simplicity of the ADKAR model and how each of step unmistakably embraces that people are at the centre of change.

Jul 24, 2023

Disagree With Respect At Work: Part II

When you and I disagree with respect for each other it becomes and opportunity to work as a productive, creative team. Especially when stakes are high these three additional approaches / building blocks can help us have successful difficult conversations and be able to disagree with respect at work, with family and even with strangers. And don't forget to check out Part I of this series for more.

Jul 14, 2023

Disagree With Respect At Work: Part I

Disagreement is part of every business environment. And to disagree with respect at work is a sign we are part of a healthy business culture. Whatever we experience at work will also influence our behaviour, our relationships, and our enjoyment at home. This makes it even more important we recognize our responsibility to be part of a healthy business culture that embraces disagreeing with respect.

Apr 26, 2023

What Is Best Alternative To A Negotiated Agreement or BATNA

You empower yourself by preparing one and preferably more BATNAs (options), in advance of a negotiation. Whether you are asking for a pay increase, buying a competitor company, or deciding with your partner about where to go on vacation. And when you are done defining your BATNAs, go further and define the BATNAs of your counterparts.

Mar 10, 2023

Work-Life Balance Requires Respect, Trust And Choice By Everyone

So many people are asking "How do you respect work-life balance?" and "Is Work Life Balance Possible?". Organizations are continuing to struggle finding ways to address the reality that for a company to succeed, employees need to feel like their leaders care about them. The question is, "What is the balance between employee needs and business needs?"

Oct 21, 2022

Difficult Conversations: Never Easy – Always Worthwhile

I propose it’s better to have a conversation that will be uncomfortable in the short time and give the employee the opportunity to see you as someone who cares about their personal and professional future. By having a difficult conversation and resolving conflict you are also empowering them to decide if they would like to adjust their behaviour.

Aug 24, 2022

How to Have a Difficult Conversation With a Hostile or Toxic Employee

Hostile, toxic employees are a drain on morale, productivity and maybe even other great, loyal employees. The easy way to manage a hostile or toxic employee is to let them be until the pressure builds and the only choice is to fire them. Unfortunately, the damage of lost employees, clients and productively – often for years – will likely be considerable. Let's discuss a better way.

Jul 20, 2022

Being A Great Leader Today Takes Hard Work

Being a great leader today has very little to do with being a boss and a great deal about inspiring everyone you work with. It means creating a team out of a group of individuals while still respecting and encouraging their individuality. It impacts every conversation, every email, every meeting, every goal strategy session, every difficult conversation, and every performance review.