Thoughts on people, teams, organizations, communities, effectiveness and success
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
Two conversations with two people last week, each with a new job; one was ecstatic, the other terrified.
There are three things you can do to get off to a great start with a new job. This post tells you about them.
Despite advice, people don’t always leverage the interviewing process to collect the type of information that fuels a good starts with the new role.… Read the rest
It’s been a tough few weeks for standards.
While the details and allegations aren’t settled, the arc of the scandals involving Herman Cain, the Penn State University football child sex abuse case, Tokyo-based Olympus CEO firing and coverup, and the Jon Corzine -MF Global debacle is familiar; people betrayed positions of public trust.
There are standards that everyone flaunts (Are you driving 60 miles per hour in a 55 mph zone?… Read the rest