Why Soft Skills Are So Hard
Soft skills refer to interpersonal and social abilities that are essential in a variety of contexts, particularly in the workplace. As a business manager, you want your employees to have skills that include communication, empathy, teamwork, creativity, adaptability, and more. Despite the term “soft,” they are considered hard to master. Let’s talk about why people […]
The Art of Employee Retention Conversations
Being a great leader means nurturing a strong and engaged team. One essential aspect is having retention chats with your employees. To build a cohesive and motivated workforce, you need to have the art of employee retention conversations. These conversations are different than an annual review. You won’t be evaluating his/her performance. In fact, you’ll […]
Unlock the Power of Playtime
In your fast-paced and demanding business world, play may take a backseat to more serious pursuits. However, dismissing play as mere frivolity underestimates its tremendous value, for business leaders as well as children. It plays a crucial role in shaping our cognitive, emotional, and social development. Play offers benefits that contribute to your overall well-being […]
Business Success from a Hang Glider Viewpoint
Hang gliding and business success share remarkable parallels. Both require you to have passion, determination, and the courage to embrace uncertainty. Like launching a hang glider, building a successful business means adapting to and navigating the winds of change. Let’s explore business success from a hang glider’s viewpoint. Consider these similarities: So, embrace change, prepare […]
The Problem with Setting Goals
Traditional wisdom tells us that the key to success is setting specific, measurable, and time-sensitive goals. You should know where you’re going and when you’ll get there. But there is a problem with setting goals. When you set out to accomplish something, you attempt to plan for all the contingencies that come your way. You […]
Get More Applicants – Without Increasing Wages
Everywhere I go these days I see “help wanted” and “we’re hiring” signs. Businesses report there are not enough applicants to fill the open jobs. Leaders think the problem is solely about the wages they pay but is it? Let’s explore how you can get more applicants without increasing wages. First, step back and review […]
Get Lucky – In Three Easy Steps
It’s easy, right? Getting lucky seems as simple as falling out of bed when other people do it. But, identifying opportunities in the changing conditions you face is about as easy as finding thermal lift in the wild blue yonder. Ask any hang glider pilot. But like that pilot, you can soar. (Hang gliding is […]
Mistakes – Get Over Them
Everyone makes mistakes. It happens to you and it happens to your people in the workplace. How you respond to them can make them worse or make them a learning opportunity. I made a mistake. But then I made a bigger mistake – I kept thinking about it. I kept dwelling on it. Here’s a […]
Relator Roles and Knee-Jerk Responses
My mother and I were on the phone. She was telling me about a difficulty she was having with someone else. It had her very upset. I was being a good daughter, or so I thought. However, I was about to learn a lesson about relator roles and my knee-jerk responses. I could see the […]