Dog-Inspired Leadership Posts
Happy 10th Birthday to Grace!
We’re having a party and you’re invited (and you don’t even have to go anywhere!) Who doesn’t like a party? Well, um, the answer would be: Grace. She’s not too keen on large crowds (even small ones can be intimidating), loud or unexpected noises, or fast movement happening around her. So to avoid these typical…
Read MoreTelling an employee to do something is not very motivating
Grace doesn’t like to get her feet wet. She will dip a toe into a shallow puddle if she’s thirsty, but I’ve never seen her immerse completely to go swimming, though she’s had plenty of opportunity. It’s a big deal when she steps into water. Unless there is a frog out there tempting her. That changes everything. A…
Read MoreYou might be creating an unnecessary thunderstorm in your office
Lots of dogs are scared of thunder and lightning. Grace definitely falls into that category. There is no consoling her. She’s frozen in her fear, unable to comprehend any comforting words or actions I offer. She paces and cowers, wandering around with desperate eyes seeking a reasonable answer to what is happening around her. As…
Read MoreAre your employees always stressed out?
Do you find yourself talking about how stressed out your employees always are? Or perhaps you, yourself, are always feeling under great pressure to perform? Equally as problematic is if you don’t think the pace is too crazy, but your employees do. How do you view your work environment? Some managers view on-going, hectic, harried…
Read MoreThis should only take a minute for you to do ….
How to handle unrealistic requests (or ones that seem that way!) The other day, I witnessed exchanges among employees during a cross-department meeting of folks that were working on an important and complex project for their company. The team leader was running a tightly-controlled meeting, covering lots of details about tasks and schedules that needed…
Read MoreDo something you haven’t done before!
Have you ever been surprised by something that an employee (or manager) has done in your workplace — and then been thankful for the outcome because it was something you would never have thought of yourself? This past weekend, Grace was nearby as I spread new mulch in our flower gardens. Because she’s an anxious…
Read MoreYou can’t solve employee problems with your head in the sand
“I can’t believe he hasn’t done anything about that after all this time!” “It’s so frustrating that nothing ever happens around here.” “She shouldn’t be allowed to get away with that again!” Are these types of statements — ones that reflect a total lack of action by management — familiar in your workplace? If so,…
Read MoreAre your employees always fighting with each other?
Do you find yourself in the middle of petty spats between employees? Sometimes it’s obvious when two (or more) co-workers aren’t getting along, but other times it might be more subtle, masked with polite-sounding but demeaning, cutting comments that undermine a team’s effectiveness. There are lots of reasons that people don’t get along, but whatever…
Read MoreGet both sides of the story before you take action on an employee dispute
Even if you think the situation is already clear-cut On occasion, an employee will come to you, as the manager, with an issue about another employee. After hearing the story, you want to fix the problem (a good thing!) and immediately take action based on this information. Fast action is the right course, but make…
Read MoreOne Size Does Not Fit All: Treating Employees to Meet Individual Needs
It’s crystal clear that this sweater I made for Grace just doesn’t fit her. The top opening swallowed her neck size. The proportions are off. And why did I opt for a bulky yarn when my goal was to have a light-weight covering to keep her warm inside? Grace humored me by sporting it for…
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