Easy to Imagine, Hard to Achieve
I saw a picture of someone “Hanging 10” on a surfboard today and it got me thinking. Thinking about how fun that would be to do. Also realizing how hard it is to actually do it.
I’ve been surfing since I was a kid and I know how hard it is to hang 5, let …
Meetings Can Be Productive…If You Let Them Be
A lot of people think meetings are a huge waste of time. And they can be … if you let them be.
The pessimists view of meetings:
”The least productive people are usually the ones who are most in favor of holding meetings.” ~ Thomas Sowell
However, meetings can also be very productive. In fact, …
How to Ruin Your Reputation in Human Resources
Human Resources (HR) is a field that I love. I chose to pursue a career path in HR because I found the function to be the intersection between being able to help people and growing a business, two things that I am passionate about.
But HR doesn’t always have a good reputation. When I tell …
Don’t Get Mad…Get Productive
If someone gives you some feedback that consists of “This Sucks” — what do you do?
There are a few reactions you could have.
One reaction you could have is to get defensive. Another is to go on the offensive. And another is to Get Productive.
This post was inspired by a tweet from Scott …
Why Setting Expectations is Critical at Work
It’s often said that your employees don’t have to like you as long as they respect you. This is true, however, there are many pitfalls that will not only make your employees not like you, but lose respect for you as well. No one wants to be a bad boss, even if we don’t expect …
8 Ways to Improve Your Company Brand in 2013
The following answers are provided by the Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC), an invite-only nonprofit organization comprised of the world’s most promising young entrepreneurs. In partnership with Citi, the YEC recently launched #StartupLab, a free virtual mentorship program that …
Don’t Bring Excuses. Bring Solutions
Just in case you are wondering. Your boss hired you to reduce their workload. Not increase it. The more you can take off their plate the more they can do. Yes, that is delegation 101. When done right everyone grows with the business. When you have mastered your role you’ll get to be that hiring …
Learning to Ask Questions Like a Contrarian
Looking for the other side of the story may not always be easy or fashionable. However, sometimes looking for the other side of the story can lead to breakthroughs and insights that may have otherwise been overlooked. Taking a look at the opposite side of something is one aspect of taking a contrarian point of …
The 3 C’s of Effective Engagement
This post is relatively short by design. It’s focused on three things that are both easy and hard to do. I hope you can use them for your end of the year planning and for your 2013 goal setting.
These are what I’m calling the Three C’s of Social Engagement.
ContentThe ability to create, …
7 Tips for Hearing More and Doing More
Listen up! Yes You! Listen up!
It’s not just for coaches and teachers anymore. Give the person speaking the courtesy of your attention. Your conversations will go smoother and faster. You will be able to get more done in less time.
This is especially true for face to face meetings. It is also true for …