4 Ways to Get Honest, Critical Feedback from Your Employees
by Ron Carucci I recently observed a town hall meeting where a new leader had just been promoted to run his division. In his introductory remarks, many – including me – were struck by his declaration, “One of the things you’ll find is that I’m very self-aware and open to feedback.” Even from the side…
Say Nice Things About Your Coworkers Whenever You Can
Adapted from “The Benefits of Saying Nice Things About Your Colleagues,” by Jane E. Dutton and Julia Lee Whether we realize it or not, we are constantly given small opportunities to build up or put down our coworkers. If we’re introducing two colleagues, telling a story about how a meeting went, or sharing a colleague’s…
To Keep Your Employees Engaged, Be Curious and Challenging
Adapted from “How to Make Work More Meaningful for Your Team,” by Lewis Garrad and Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic Leaders play a significant role in helping employees understand why their jobs matter, but it’s not just about connecting their work to a larger purpose. You can also do it by demonstrating curiosity: Explore, ask questions, and engage…
Harvard Study Says This 1 Personality Trait Makes You Extremely Unlikable
by Betsy Mikel No one wants to be perceived as the annoying person in any social situation. But what if you are that person and don’t even know it? If you’re prone to the humblebrag — be it in a meeting at work or in your social media posts — then you just might be….
Why Leaders Should Make a Habit of Teaching
by Sarah Green Carmichael Every industry has leaders who see themselves not just as managers, but as teachers. And new research shows that approach strengthens not only the manager-employee bond, but also employee performance. Sydney Finkelstein, a professor of management at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College, encourages leaders to approach their direct reports…
How to Ask Your Boss for Time to Learn New Things
by Rachael O’Meara We all want to learn and grow. Improving our skills and being exposed to new ideas not only makes us better at our jobs but makes us happier and more engaged at work. But with a full-time job, it can be tough to find the time and resources to dedicate to personal…
Emailing While You’re on Vacation Is a Quick Way to Ruin Company Culture
by Kate Denis Companies expend untold energy building culture—defining their values, revamping their office space, organizing holiday parties and volunteer outings. And yet many managers don’t seem to realize that while company culture can be really hard to build, it’s incredibly easy to destroy. And you may unknowingly ruin it in just two steps. Step…
Be Kind to Yourself When You’re Feeling Stressed Out
by Harvard Business Review Burnout is a serious problem at work. It can make you feel emotionally exhausted, cause cynicism, and hinder your job performance. If you notice these signs of extreme stress, resist the urge to beat yourself up — that will only make the situation worse. Instead, have some empathy for yourself and…
Praise Someone the Way They Want to Be Praised
Adapted from the HBR Guide to Performance Management Recognition is one of the most powerful tools a manager has, but not everyone wants their good work to be called out in the same way. Acknowledging someone’s work is meant to make them feel special — and it’s hard to feel special if a corporate procedure treats…