The retreat is both a laboratory and ultimate safe space, one designed to let you “try on for size” unfamiliar, nerve-wracking leadership styles and get real-time feedback on the efficacy of each approach. It’s both familiar and intensely challenging. It’s summer camp, or a new school, or the first day at a new job, except that this time there’s nothing you could do that would screw it up.
Read MoreWhen we take the time to reflect, we open the door to uncovering hidden insights that can help us to make better decisions in the future.
Read MoreIn practical terms, I use the mantra as a sort of verbal touchstone during meetings, planning sessions, and even heads-down work. Its wry inversion of negativity reliably makes people chuckle when I invoke it during challenging conversations, and I’ve learned that saying it aloud can diffuse tense moments and break through impasses.
Read MoreUnsurprisingly, I’ve learned the most (and the fastest) when I’ve been uncomfortable. But that’s the fun of it all, isn’t it?
Read MoreI’ve sat through exec team meetings every week for the last 4 years. Some good, most okay, some downright bad. The better meetings all happened to include a meeting leader focused on making the most out of the time. The worst? They relied on the group to figure it out on the fly.
Read MoreA reader asked me how I keep track of connections, especially with fellow Chiefs of Staff and other new people I encounter on a regular basis. I just so happened to have recently implemented a whole new system!
Read MoreLet’s talk about why Bed Bath & Beyond needs to figure out what they’re going to be great at, choose what they’re going to be bad at, and own that decision unapologetically.
Read MoreMeetings that used to be impromptu now require planning, and a room, and remembering all the proper attendees, and omg why can’t I find a time that works for everyone?!
So where can we start? Consistent vocabulary.
Read MoreTake a page from Chik-fil-a and hire the nicest people possible, then train them on your well-worn playbook. Prioritize smiles and patience over technical expertise for your frontline team.
Read MoreHere’s a little know secret: the muck rises to the top.
Read MoreIt’s really hard to walk up to someone and say “hey, I think you’re out of line with our values”
Read MoreAs with all attempts to change behavior, consistency is key.
Read MoreI adopted a system I called “scrum-lite” that revolved around a daily-standup, a whiteboard, and many many post-its. I was like a fish out of water managing my ballooning team, including a second layer below me, and I needed a system that would give me confidence in both our progress and direction.
Read MoreRadical candor is really, really uncomfortable.
Read MoreI posit that a reluctant boss is likely in the role for all the right reasons. They’ve been encouraged (pushed) to take the job based on their performance, rather than their personal relationships or personality.
Read MoreThe article is an inspiration for anyone who’s been responsible for business operations large or small.
Read MoreThe system isn’t ideal, and I still need swaths of time to do thinking-intensive work, but I’ve learned to appreciate capitalizing on these micro pockets of time so that when a free hour comes along, I can jump right into the task that needs an hour, rather than catching up on tiny tasks.
Read MoreWhen was the last time you worked with your team to train them (or retrain them) to listen.
Read MoreOn another occasion, it was my responsibility to terminate an employee who called in before his shift to share offensive, drunken feedback with me.
Read MoreCan the Targets of the world still surprise and delight their customers? Absolutely.
Read More
I’ve sat through exec team meetings every week for the last 4 years. Some good, most okay, some downright bad. The better meetings all happened to include a meeting leader focused on making the most out of the time. The worst? They relied on the group to figure it out on the fly.