Don’t say, “It’s not that bad,” to someone who thinks it’s bad. You’re right: When team members say, “Things are bad,” say, “You know, you’re right.” And then ask, What’s bad about… Continue reading
It’s wasteful and frustrating to talk to the wrong people about the right things. The solution: I coach a leader who reported that the problems in one department disappeared after he replaced the… Continue reading
Excuse-makers are blamers. They might not point a finger in your face, but their failure will eventually be your fault. Successful leaders identify and counteract excuse-makers. Partial truths: All ‘good’ excuses are partially… Continue reading
I asked a group to talk about a time when they saw an organization pulling together. They talked about shared problems and crisis. Give people a shared problem if you want them to pull… Continue reading
Effective organizations enable us to harness each other’s strengths, but it ain’t easy working with others. #1. Don’t always run with the pack. You disappear if you always fall in line. Offer constructive… Continue reading
Habitual complainers stink like babies with dirty diapers. But everyone who brings up difficult issues, problems, and concerns isn’t an energy sucking complainer. 3 types of complainers: #1. Complainers who excuse their complaining… Continue reading
