Need to ask more powerful questions?

Need to ask more powerful questions?

Asking powerful questions is one of the key skills of a great leader and team member. In my client work, I see many reasons why this doesn’t happen. Often the barriers to asking questions (versus just giving the answer) involve assumptions and beliefs about...
Three tips for moving from buddy to boss

Three tips for moving from buddy to boss

Sally is thrilled that she is now managing the team she has worked with for five years. She is worried a bit about Seth, though. Sally and Seth have had a great working relationship as peers for three years. However, Seth wanted the leadership job, too, and has been...
Four steps to employee engagement

Four steps to employee engagement

More than half of the people who leave their jobs do so because of their boss, according to the smart people at Gallup. Sure, employee engagement (emotional commitment to the organization and its goals) matters, too. Who is responsible for 70% of an employee’s...
Lead your leader: Managing up

Lead your leader: Managing up

Bosses come in all shapes, sizes and types. Knowing how to manage up, influence and collaborate with Boss A does not guarantee you’ll get good results with Boss B. Yet there are some general principles that apply to everyone, like getting to know your...
The right conversations

The right conversations

You are a dedicated supervisor, and you take the time to engage in conversation with your people on a regular basis. Great job! Yet you may not be having the right kind of discussions – the ones that build employee engagement. Kristi Hedges, who wrote Four...