Recently I have been working with a client whose people are always super busy in meetings, continually working late, meeting deadlines at the last minute, late for meetings and calls and always seem to have a crisis. Seem familiar?So I started asking the question, why does this seem to be the norm? Why does it [...]
It’s startling how many companies I talk to, where people tell me, and I observe, how few good people managers there are.People tell me all the time that they have problems with their bosses and as soon as I’m in meetings, I can see why! There are a number of reasons for this and I [...]
During my career, I have had more bosses than I can remember. But at every company, and in each role I have played, I have endeavored to ensure I add value to each relationship.A good relationship with our boss is critical to our success at work. Not only does it make our jobs easier (and theirs), but it [...]
“Our Meetings Are Held To Discuss Many Problems Which Would Never Arise If We Held Fewer Meetings” - Ashleigh BrilliantI rarely see notes from conference-call meetings. IF an agenda is sent out, it is within 30 minutes of the call and comes with any reading material as preparation. What's wrong with that? I'd like to share why I [...]
"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader." —John Quincy AdamsOver the course of my career, I have run many teams. They range from over 300 personnel and 16 nationalities for Coca-Cola in Jeddah, West Saudi Arabia to a small team of 4 in Vienna, [...]
When I first entered the hallowed corridors of corporate work life with Cadbury's and then Express Dairy Foods, there wasn't a lot of laughing in those corridors. There seemed to be an invisible sign that read 'No to Laugh in Work'.In fact on the odd occasion you did hear laughter, many frowned and shunned those [...]
I came across another excellent article by Geoffrey James recently which I have reproduced in full below.To acquire a more positive attitude, all you really need is a more powerful vocabulary. Try these linguistic shifts.Some people see the world through a filter of optimism: They always make lemonade from the lemons, no matter what happens. [...]
"Confrontation shouldn't only be about pointing out bad behavior in order to stop it. It also should involve reasoning and sound solutions that help your... coworker reform the behavior that is causing the confrontation. Think about possible solutions before you approach the offending party so you can offer suggestions instead of just critical comments about [...]
"Christmas is a necessity. There has to be at least a least one day of the year to remind us that we're here for something else besides ourselves" - Eric SevareidI love Christmas. Brought up in a family where my Mother revered it, she worked hard at it and made it a wonderful and memorable [...]
“To travel is to live.” - Hans Christian Anderson For many years I traveled at a rate of a minimum three to four days per week. Some trips lasted one to two weeks, through weekends. During that time I adapted some useful habits to make life easier and thought they were worth passing along. Of course if you are a veteran [...]