Workplace
How to Say “No” Without Damaging Morale
Let me ask you a question. How do you suppose you’d feel if you offered several suggestions to your supervisor, only to have every one of them rejected? It’s a rhetorical question. We all know it doesn’t feel good. So—how do we lead our teams, and even more so, our students, to remain motivated even…
Continue ReadingThree Steps to Develop Grit
I just finished watching Ron Howard’s latest film on The Beatles. Those four pioneers of rock and roll (who America got to meet in February 1964 on the Ed Sullivan Show), have a mystical aura to their story. Lots of legends surround their emergence as a musical force fifty years ago. Today—I’d like to clear…
Continue ReadingThe Number One Killer of Productivity
If I were to ask you: What is the top killer of productivity in a work environment? What would you say? If I asked you: What is the chief distraction keeping students from focusing on their studies in school? What would you say? How about if I asked you: What is your number one hindrance…
Continue ReadingFive Culture Killers in Your Organization
I’ve said it before; I will say it again. The organizational culture you experience at your work will impact the performance of team members more than anything else. As Peter Drucker eloquently said decades ago, “Culture eats strategy for breakfast.” So, if culture is so important, leaders must guard it at all costs. They must…
Continue ReadingOne Quality Boomers and Millennials Must Each Develop
Did you know that one of the most discussed problems in corporate America today is the relationships Baby Boomers have . . . or fail to have . . . with young Millennials? A majority of managers report feeling at odds with their more recently hired young employees. In this post, I’d like to suggest…
Continue ReadingThe GROW Model: A Simple Plan for Personal Growth
My friend, Kyle Stark, recently sent this article to me and I felt it was worth repeating. It’s a simple plan for personal growth, on the job, with your family, or even with your students. It’s called the “GROW” model, and it comes from James Manktelow and Amy Carlson. I hope you find it as…
Continue ReadingThe New Economy Millennials Are Adopting
Years ago, a mentor, Keith Drury, taught me that one secret to a happy life is the ability to “enjoy things without owning them.” I soon learned to enjoy a neighbor’s boat or vacation cabin on the lake without the need to own either of them. I think Keith is right. He’s also prophetic. A…
Continue ReadingNine Ways Employers Can End a Summer Internship Well
I spoke to an employer recently who told me she had two interns this summer. Smiling, she told me, “One of them is fantastic. I wish I could keep her permanently. The other—not so much. I was ready to send him home after one week.” The conversation then evolved into trying to answer the question:…
Continue ReadingA New Approach to Managing Millennials in the Workforce: Episode 41
Today, I’m excited to share with you a conversation with Geoff Goodman, President of Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt. Having held other executive positions for Bruster’s Ice Cream and Cici’s Pizza, Geoff has a whole new stance on how to manage and lead the next generation. Here are some of the highlights from our conversation. http://growingleaders.com/podcast/Resources/Geoff.Goodman.Podcast.mp3…
Continue ReadingIs Your Team Set Apart?
Today’s post is a guest article by Randy Gavvitt. I hope you enjoy it. Although the concept of community is at the core of what creates a High Performance Team, it is also one of the twelve best practices to unlock organizational performance, as well. When we see the word community, it may bring to…
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