We’ve all heard the warnings about micromanaging and how demotivating it can be. But in a competitive world, where details matter, micromanagement tendencies can flourish. A micromanager may believe they are getting the best quality work out of their team. But in reality, this management style stifles initiative, inhibits learning and eradicates trust. Here’s how to avoid the costly trap of micromanagement.
It seems everyone is short on time these days. We are running at turbo speed and yet it still seems there isn’t enough time in the day to get everything done. Not surprisingly, we are all on alert to spot low-value time sucks we can eliminate from our days. Idle chit chat is often considered an easy target. On the surface, this vague chatter appears to be a waste of time. Time to reconsider? Here are six reasons why (seemingly) aimless conversations are a productive and meaningful contributor to our satisfaction at work.
Don't underestimate the power of small steps in leading us to our big goals. Breaking big tasks into smaller, attainable steps is key to getting started. Once we achieve some early success, our momentum grows and this leads to meaningful progress. Whether we are preparing for a big presentation, undertaking a home renovation or trying to be more fit, here are 6 reasons why small steps are the best way to tackle our big goals.
With the holidays approaching, gift-giving (and shopping) is on the top of many to-do lists. If the purpose of gifts is to symbolize our love and appreciation, what if we could show this appreciation in a more heartfelt, authentic and direct way than a store-bought gift? Want to take the lead in creating a more grateful workplace? Here are 11 simple acts we can use to convey our gratitude - without buying anything.
What kind of team do you have? If you’re one of the lucky few, you are part of a high-performance team. A group of people who work well together is the biggest predictor of team success. And working with a wide variety of top performers is one of the greatest predictors of your career success. High-performance teams also make work, and life, a whole lot more fun. But what exactly is a high-performance team and what are they doing to help people thrive? Here, we share 3 core tenets embraced by all high-performance teams, and invite you to take our 2-minute quiz to rate your own team's strengths and opportunities.
As leaders, we like to believe we know our team really well. But do we? Even the best leaders may have blind spots worth exploring. Ever wonder what your team is longing to tell you? Here are six truths your team wishes you knew.
We know delegating is key to success as a leader. But it isn’t always easy. Sometimes our team members are simply too busy. Adding anything more to their bursting plate could prompt them to run screaming in the opposite direction. This is often when we think, “I might as well just do it myself.” Yes, once in a while, it is helpful to model team solidarity by doing tasks we would rather delegate. But this should be an intermittent approach to trigger action. Use these five strategies to avoid the pattern of doing it all yourself. Otherwise, you’ll be the one left running from your team.
A recent study shows people disengage from their work when they receive uncivil emails, then sadly, bring this email stress home and transmit it there. How can we protect ourselves from reacting so strongly? Modelling great email etiquette ourselves is a powerful way to positively influence others - and resolve this problem. I recently shared this, and other email etiquette strategies, on CBC Radio and I’ve compiled them here for you. These are helpful for us as senders and receivers.
Email is a powerful communication tool but like all good things, too much can turn downright onerous. From excessive reply-alls, to messages inappropriately marked as urgent, to convoluted requests, a small amount of email abuse adds up to a tremendous drain on a team. Is it time for your team to sign a Team Email Charter? Read on for some suggested email policies to ensure your team is using this valuable tool as efficiently and effectively as possible.
A Harvard University survey confirms a good deal of our happiness depends on how well we manage stress. Ready to end this toxic relationship? Here are 13 ways to make the break.
