One of the most important and overlooked aspects of change management is the people-side of change. This is the most challenging and critical component of organizational transformation. New structures and approaches can be planned, policies may be created and policed, but these things do not guarantee success. Employees are an organization’s greatest asset. By engaging with them from the very … Read More
Ideas for Improving Employee Engagement
Why do you work? Why does anyone work? Ask your friends or co-workers these questions and you are apt to get a variety of answers. Eventually, many people will get around (some sooner than others) to saying, “To pay the bills,” or some variant of this response. Let’s begin by acknowledging that most of us do not and could not … Read More
Great Leadership Requires Commitment
Am I a leader worth following? Am I building teams built to last? There are 3 components to each of these questions. Competency, Commitment, and Character are essential to the first question: “Am I a leader worth following?” Competency was covered in my last series post. This blog will focus on the commitment required for leadership. Commitment is persistence with … Read More
10 Leadership Books for the Holidays
The holidays are a great time to rejuvenate through diving into a book. As you head into the holiday season, here is a list of my favourite leadership and management books. These books have inspired me to think differently and grow as a leader and manager. You will find a range of styles and topics here. I have summarized why … Read More
Leadership Strategies for Taking Control
When I started mediating, I found I was dealing with some very resistant people. I discovered firsthand that people who are angry, threatened, or scared will occasionally dig their heels in and hold on for dear life – sometimes to the point where they hurt themselves as much or more than they hurt the other party. You’ve probably noticed that … Read More
Discipline – Beyond Carrots and Sticks
Many organizations have done a lot of work in recent years to understand what truly motivates people at work. In that process, we have been moving away from a “carrots and sticks” philosophy to one that is much more nuanced and based in behavioural science. “Carrots” are essentially simple rewards like cash bonuses, while “sticks” are punishments that cause pain. … Read More
Vision – Communicate & Involve Others
Vision is our view of the future. Vision is the portrait of our hopes and dreams. It is our mental picture of what might be, but is not yet. Vision gives us a sense of purpose and guides us as we work in the present. In organizations, a vision statement articulates what the organization aspires to accomplish. Organizations need a … Read More
New Employees – 3 Ways to Begin Right
We started a new employee this past week, and it got me thinking about what’s important for that crucial first week. There are so many ways to get off on the wrong foot, but here are three things we can all do to make that impressionable employee’s first week go well. Plan your new hire’s first day and week in … Read More
The Self-Aware Leader
Taking the time to be self-aware, to really consider one’s strengths and weaknesses, is not something most leaders do very often. They are usually too busy focusing on the seemingly more urgent tasks of any given day to take time for self-reflection. Developing and practicing self-awareness may not get the attention it warrants, yet it is one of the most … Read More
Why Character Matters
A leader worth following has three key ingredients: Competency, Commitment, and Character. Today’s blog will focus on Character. Competency determines what we can do. Commitment determines what we want to do. Character determines what we will do. A few years ago I had the privilege of spending a week at one of Canada’s prominent business schools with public-good sector leaders … Read More