Thoughts on people, teams, organizations, communities, effectiveness and success
The word from a recent study is that people who make things miserable for everyone else at work get paid the most.
So if mean people make more than everyone else, is it better – in this season of Christmas – to be naughty or nice?
Best answer? It depends
While mean people, frequently stereotyped as those hard charging, take no prisoner, “Type A” personality folks may make more money, turns out they don’t live as long.… Read the rest
You mess up, or maybe don’t mess up but things don’t quite work out, you get fired or get laid off, and you end up down in the dumps thinking you’ll never get another chance.
Cheer up; there are people out there reinventing themselves in ways that make you look like a saint. And if they can do it, so can you.… Read the rest
You can lack efficiency and effectiveness in how you communicate.
Or you can have both. Here’s how.
As background, it always helps to be clear about what you’re trying to communicate. Simply pass on information, or engage in a discussion and check for understanding? Ask for feedback, or do a data dump and run?
Great communication starts with focus about what you’re trying to accomplish, and what you’re trying to avoid.… Read the rest
There are a number of ways to effectively manage conflict. The approach someone recently used with me (“There are issues; you’re the problem“) is not amongst any of them.
Here’s one conflict resolution approach that in my experience works 90+% of the time.
As a step back, it’s helpful to remember that much, perhaps most, conflict stems from people having different perceptions about what has happened or is happening.… Read the rest
When you’re whacking somebody, stepping down to get out, or getting fired yourself, what passes for organizational “truth” makes most “goodbyes” meaningless.
Isn’t time for more transparency, and more courage?
“Left the firm to pursue personal interests” is the “doing nothing” act in departures. It’s hardly ever true, and frankly everyone knows it.… Read the rest
There are opportunities to do great things all around you every day. Sometimes the chances pass by you like friends and neighbors that you know well; they holler, wave and grab your attention. Other times they pass by like strangers, moving quickly, and avoid notice or detection. In both cases the most important thing for you to do is not just to hear, but to listen.… Read the rest