Why Emotional Intelligence is Important for New Managers
“Emotional intelligence is responsible for 90% of a manager’s success (Harvard Division of Continuing Ed, 2015)”. Emotional Intelligence (EQ) experts agree that raising your EQ has a direct impact on how well you perform at work. “But what do emotions have to do with work?”, you ask. Turns out, a lot! Research shows that managers […]
Continue readingThe Answer Isn’t Always Training
“We need training.” This statement is a common knee-jerk reaction to address things like employee engagement, performance and turnover. However, there are many things that could be part of a solution, in addition to or instead of training. This article will get you thinking about all the possibilities. When a client requests training, I resist […]
Continue readingHandle Stress Better Now
How is your team handling the stress of the coronavirus pandemic? Much like children look to their parents to see how they respond to things, employees look to their managers and leaders for those same signs. Leaders set the tone for adapting to change, growth and yes, this crisis. When managers and leaders manage their […]
Continue readingConsider These 6 Elements for Your Leadership Development Program
These 6 elements will enrich your leadership development training program. A Sponsor. This is someone on the executive team who is a champion for the program. They participate in the kickoff and celebration, as well as one other point in the program. Coaching. Provide a coach to each participant to process and integrate what they’re […]
Continue readingWhen NOT to Delegate
Have you ever heard anyone say that leadership is about getting everything done all by yourself? Neither have I. We all know that leadership is the art of getting things done through other people. The way to do that is through effective delegation. The best leaders, though, also know when not to delegate in their […]
Continue readingNeeds Assessments for Learning & Development
It’s prime time to be conducting needs assessments to plan meaningful learning & organizational development initiatives for the coming year. Here are three tips for crafting thoughtful questions that will get to the heart of what you need to know. 1. Inquire at all levels Use surveys, focus groups and interviews to seek information from […]
Continue readingPresenting vs. Training
The best trainers certainly have excellent presentation skills. However, presenting is just one element of effective training. Simply put, training is the transfer of knowledge. But how do you know if the transfer of knowledge occurred? Using both types of knowledge checks, embedded and post check, ensures that learners are following you along the way, and […]
Continue readingInterviewing for Best Fit
I was recently asked to coach a team of managers to make better hiring decisions. This group was fairly new to management and the company was growing fast. Here are some suggestions I gave… Hiring managers need to thoroughly understand what they are looking for. This doesn’t stop at the list of ‘technical’ skills required to […]
Continue reading4 Ways to Make Teambuilding Count
Teambuilding is more than bowling outings and falling backward with a blindfold on. Building an affective team takes conscious effort, and that could mean taking time away from the office to have ‘open’ dialogue about how the team is performing. Note the special emphasis on ‘open’. One of the reasons teambuilding has gotten a bad […]
Continue readingImproving Performance in the Workplace
Here are some quick tips on developing the most important investment in your business. Hire right. Use strategic interview questions to ensure you are hiring someone who is aligned with the job, the team and the company culture. Build bench strength. Continually assess and develop individuals instead of waiting for a senior spot to open […]
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