We all have some type of value assigned to us based on how others perceive us. Whether we buy into these perceptions or not depends on if we are intrinsically or extrinsically motivated. For those who are intrinsically motivated their personal value is internally defined. It is unwavering in the face of other’s opinions. For [...]
When I speak with leaders I tend to attune to their language in order to understand their orientation toward the team. Some leaders speak about themselves profusely, using the words “I” or “me” so often that it sounds like they the only person in the department. Sometimes these leaders refer to the team as “my” [...]
Communication can be a two-person exchange. You meet someone, get to know him or her, then take the steps you need to keep the relationship alive. With other introductions, you are delinquent allowing the would-be relationship to die a natural, disconnected death. The same is true in teams, when a new person joins a team, [...]
Feedback is a curious thing. The intention behind offering it is to bring about positive change, to modify behaviour. However, when criticism is offered, even when it is skillfully embedded in a non-judgmental tone, sounding supportive and authentic, persons on the receiving end can still feel attacked or embarrassed so responses like withdrawal, defensiveness or [...]
Power, in and of itself is neither positive nor negative, it is the intent behind it. Jackie is a manager who is ambitious, and focused on her movement up the corporate ladder. She aligns herself with executives and other coworkers who can help her attain her ambitions. She is prepared to throw her colleagues under [...]
At certain times in our careers we need to make decisions about up-levelling our lives and careers. Some persons are loyal to their organizations, waiting for their supervisors to recognize their contributions and potential. They wait and wait, and sometimes they are rewarded with a promotion if they wait long enough. This is because the [...]
Passionate leaders are intrinsically motivated and they care about not only their own development they care about the development of their team members. Sometimes leaders view passionate leadership as something that is extroverted, or even sometimes coercive. Passionate leaders genuinely care about others. They realise that if their teams are high performing, they are high [...]
Are you stressed or overwhelmed because unrealistic goals have been set for you and your team? Do you review your goals and feel a deep sense of dread because it feels like it is impossible to meet them? Are you anxious about going to work because your coworkers are willing to undermine you to achieve [...]
In the modern workplace, leaders are expected to do more and more with less resources. In some organizations this means the employee complement gets reduced and the workload remains the same or increases. In other organizations there are insufficient tools available, or there are untrained employees. As the evolving external environment drives deeper and deeper [...]
I have witnessed multiple change initiatives where, once an opportunity for change is identified by decision-makers they move forward with making change happen. In the initial stages, there can be commitment to transformation by one or a few executives, even though their understanding of what that change may mean may not yet be fully envisioned. [...]
