Thoughts on people, teams, organizations, communities, effectiveness and success
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
Other times, though, you realize that like that unfriendly cat who has suddenly decided to be friendly, it’s in your lap; what you’re staring at is your future that’s become your present.… 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