Don’t Drag It Out

At one time or another, every manager struggles with how to handle a weak employee. Perhaps she has adequate technical skills but lousy interpersonal skills. Perhaps he just doesn’t want to be there and creates a toxic environment complaining about everything that is awful about your company.

Make a decision. If the pros don’t measurably outweigh the cons, take action. Whatever you do, don’t drag it out.

This isn’t easy, especially when the person has positive attributes that everyone recognizes. But the damage caused by delaying the inevitable is bad for everyone: for the employee, for the co-workers, and for you.

Clarify Your “Ask”

How effectively do you communicate requests to your employees? Do you ask for something on the fly as you run off to your next meeting without allowing time for clarification? Are they saying (probably behind your back!) that they don’t have a clue what you asked?

Unclear communication often comes from not thinking through what needs to be said. For example, you may say that you need help on a project. If you don’t articulate your specific need, people may perform different tasks that are not necessary or are counter-productive.

Walking the Line Between Manager and Friend

One of my clients, Simon, was impressed by one of his young direct reports, Joe. Joe showed great potential during the first few years he worked for Simon. He stepped up to any challenge, went the extra mile, and garnered favor from Simon as time went on.

They spent more social time together, went to lunch, and shared their love for baseball. In short, their professional relationship also became a friendship.

Eventually Joe’s professional limitations caught up with him. His work became sloppy, he missed deadlines, and he became expert in making excuses. He hid behind his friendship with Simon to avoid accountability.

Does Anyone Talk Any More?

Remember telephones? There has been such a shift away from using them that many companies discourage calling. Email promotions are sent without including phone numbers for more information. You need to click through the contact page of some web sites to find a phone number.

The irony of this, of course, is that the smart phone is the dominant communication device and it’s used far more for other things than for talking. Curiously, making calls is the fifth most used app on a smart phone.

Dealing with a Work-Related Tsunami

2018 has started out with a bang for many of my clients and colleagues. It seems like the intensity of expectations has ratcheted up with few prospects of any slackening on the horizon.

When you’re not prepared for a work-related tsunami, it can seem overwhelming and leave an otherwise highly organized person rattled. Whether you’re experiencing this personally or observing it in a co-worker or friend, the solution is to stop and unpack the mess, evaluate it, then resume work.

Flickers of Integrity

I lost my phone in a taxi going home from JFK.

As you read these words, I imagine that even cynical people may have a twinge of empathy before being relieved that it happened to someone else, not them.

The good news is that the story has a happy ending. I tracked down the driver, Rony. It took 2 days to make it happen, but he returned it, safe and sound.

Demystifying the Accountability Conundrum

When you think of someone who is accountable, what are some of the words that come to mind? Dependable? Committed? Responsible? Punctual?

People use when describing accountability. While they are good adjectives, there really isn’t one good synonym.

Accountability is a person’s willingness to accept responsibility for his or her actions. Although a concise definition, I think that accountability encompasses several habits that, when practiced proactively, result in a person who embodies the definition.

Your Theme for 2018

Welcome to the new year! How does it feel so far? Are you pumped up or just ambling along? Do you have fresh perspective or is it more “same old, same old”? Are you energized by diving into your work or are you doing anything to avoid it?

Sounds like a classic half full, half empty scenario. If you’re in the “half full” camp, good for you! I’d speculate that you have a specific aim for the year ahead. This doesn’t have to come in the form of resolutions, but it does imply focus.

Are You Ready for the New Year?

We’re days away from the New Year, a time when people make resolutions with the best of intentions and then abandon them at the first available distraction.

Before you can make resolutions that even have a chance of succeeding, take a look at how you did with your resolutions or goals this year. Consider these questions:

The Winter Solstice

Today is the shortest day – and the longest night – of the year in the northern hemisphere. For many, it simply marks the first day of winter, but the winter solstice is celebrated across cultures.

Many people believe that the winter solstice is time to slow down and reflect on the year that’s ending and to imagine the new year ahead. Reflection implies looking inward….allowing yourself time to think….letting your mind wander.