You may be thinking to yourself, why would after work happy hour be such an important event to attend? While you may have originally believed it to be vital because of the free drink tickets or the tasty appetizers, the real benefit lies in your future success at your...
Innovative Service Begins with the Right Attitude
His surgery went much longer than anyone expected so I ended up sort of sleeping in the hospital waiting room much of the night. My friend was expectedly grouchy as he went in and out of a nap once he was returned to his hospital room. But, his irritability paled in...
Great Workplace Communication
A workplace thrives on communication and everything breaks down to the minute levels of communication. I am talking about only work-related communications and not water-cooler conversations. Even though communication is more of a reflex action, more often we simply...
7 Ways to Lead During Times of Stress and Change
As a manager, have you ever felt squashed between all the work rolling down hill and the pressure of supporting your already overwhelmed team? Or perhaps you’re frustrated with a team that doesn’t seem to “get it” and isn’t working at full capacity? During times of...
Make Your Employees Happy (Without Giving Raises)
Millennials are changing the way workplaces approach company culture. As the first generation to grow up with the Internet, Millennials’ mobile lifestyles don’t understand the daily 9-to-5 grind. This year Millennials account for the highest percentage of the...
Playground Power
Very recently, I lead my four children (ages 9-14) on a brief excursion to the local park. Just two blocks from our home, the park is one of the classic-styles we all know well: Some eight to ten acres of open space that is adorned with trees, picnic tables, and a...
How Conflict Stunts Company Innovation
I was in a meeting earlier this week where there was an invited speaker discussing a controversial topic. Several of the meeting participants disagreed with his point of view. Not a problem. In fact, dissent is shown to increase divergent thinking and creative...
So You Don’t Trust Your Boss
Few things zap your motivation than having a bad relationship with your boss. Trust me, I know from experience, people don’t leave jobs, they leave bosses. I have an executive coaching client. Let’s call her Mary. She doesn’t trust her boss, John. She feels John...
Start Your Career in IT: A Progressive Strategy
Part 4: A Progressive Career in IT The most fitting way to bring this series to a close is ironically the discussion of patience. I would like to thank all those who have been patient for the past four months as you read and followed this series of articles. The...