The small business dilemma: Raising capital without selling your soul
Did you know that small businesses make up 97% of all private-sector companies in the U.S.? What's more, according to research conducted by the SBA government agency, they employ half of all employees in the entire private sector. That means that half the people in...
10 Things Every Team Leader Needs to Know
Want to build a high performance team - where the team consistently achieves its goals and where team members are proud to be members? It's not that hard, but you won't get far if you just try to "wing it." These are 10 things every team leader needs to know. 1....
Stages of Team Development and Leadership
Teams move through predictable stages of team development, but how quickly and easily they progress depends on how well the needs of the team are being met during each stage. Teams don't always move smoothly, and sometimes they can get stuck. Understanding the...
How to Make Your Point and Be Heard When You Speak Up
It’s quite frustrating to be not heard when you speak up, and unfortunately, it’s more common than you might think. Speaking up in a group setting is one of the biggest challenges many people face. You have some valuable information and opinions to share, but no one...
Curiosity Opens Doors
Thursday Thoughts Curiosity is the key to learning. You're never too old to learn and grow, and to develop more satisfaction and meaning in your work and your life. Catch yourself when blame and reactivity arise, and instead of quickly dismissing what you don't like,...
Encourage Employee Vacations and Time Off to Increase Productivity
Guest Post by Dave Crenshaw Do you manage a team of racers galloping at full speed in the chase for success? Well, heed my warning: they may be racing towards complete burnout and a total collapse at the finish line. It might seem counterintuitive to encourage...
Thinking About Career Change? #Podcast Interview With Beverly Kaye
How many jobs do you expect to hold in your lifetime? For baby boomers, research says the number is close to 12. The prediction is this number will be a lot higher for the younger generations. So how can you make the best choices about your multiple career moves? A...
How to Take a Stand Without Polarizing Others
Are you fatigued and disheartened by the current amount of polarization in the world today? Are you frustrated with leadership that divides instead of unites? Instead of wishing someone would do something about it and feeling helpless, focus on the place you have the...
Successful leaders are intensely curious
Thursday Thoughts Successful leaders are intensely curious. Instead of giving quick answers, they ask great questions. Be curious! A good question can take you a lot farther than a quick answer! * * * * * * * * ...
Don’t let team drift run your team aground
You might be suffering from team drift and not know it. We’ve all heard stories of individuals who wake up one morning and wonder how they had drifted so far from their original hopes and dreams. The same thing can happen to teams. One of the most common complaints I...
How to Involve Your Team in Creating Vision and Strategy
One of the biggest mistakes leaders make is thinking they are supposed to have all the answers, especially when it comes to vision. There is a natural desire to look like you are smart and know what you’re doing. But sometimes the smartest thing you can do is to...
Wax on… and on… and on… or Wax Off the Seesaw
When the moon grows, it waxes. When it declines, it wanes. Waxing is a good thing. We use it in expressions like, “He waxed eloquently“ or “She waxed lyrical." But what about someone who “waxes on and on" - not so good. Waxing is a good thing IF it doesn't go on too...