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The Perils of Under-Management

5/30/2023

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Micromanagement gets lots of attention, but under-management may be just as big a problem. This is the term Victor Lipman, author of The Type B manager, has given to a constellation of behaviors that often co- exist: Weak performance management, a tendency to avoid conflicts, and generally lackluster accountability. Writing in the Harvard Business Review, Lipman explains that results often suffer as a result. 

“Under-management can often fly under the radar because the managers who have these tendencies aren’t necessarily incompetent; on the contrary, they often know their business well, are good collaborators, and are well-liked.” The problem is they just do not manage! There are several intertwined causes behind this phenomenon, including too strong a desire to be liked and a penchant for avoiding conflict.  If you suspect you are under-managing, try these steps:
  • Don’t be a conflict-avoider. Almost no one likes dealing with conflict, but it is part of the management role.  Instead of ducking conflict, tackle it before it festers. Over time you will become more confident and comfortable navigating challenging conversations.
  • View goal-setting as mission-critical. If you’re not delivering the results you need, first make sure the goals your employees need to achieve are clear. Most managers don’t spend nearly enough time on goal setting--too often viewing it as a nettlesome bureaucratic exercise. But thoughtful goals that are agreed to by employees can be a manager’s best friend, becoming a roadmap for the year.
  • “Is this work the absolute best you can do?” This is a simple but powerful question. Asking it when someone hands in an assignment will make them aware that they’re being held accountable. (It’s also a good question to ask yourself if you suspect you are under-managing? Are you doing all you can to set appropriate goals, hold people accountable, and deliver the results you need?)
Are you being under-managed or are you under-managing? What steps can you take to alter the situation? To join the conversation, click "comments" above.

Learn more about creating a habit around masterful communication with our online learning courses awarded International Gold for Best Hybrid Learning of 2022.

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Want to Feel Happier and Less Stressed? Talk to a Friend

5/23/2023

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Have you talked to a friend today? A recent study published in Communication Research suggests that people who engage in meaningful conversations may be happier and experience better mental health. 

Researcher Jeffrey Hall identified seven types of communication commonly found in social interactions: Catching up, meaningful talk, joking, showing care, listening, valuing others and their opinions, and offering sincere compliments. The researchers instructed over 900 participants to engage in any one of the seven types of talk on a given day. Some participants performed the tasks via online messages or phone calls, but most spoke in person. At the end of the day, the participants reported how good or bad they felt, as measured by feelings of stress, connection, well-being, and loneliness.

The results showed:
  • Those who engaged in meaningful conversations reported higher levels of happiness and well-being compared to those who engaged in small talk.
  • Engaging in meaningful conversations may help individuals to feel more understood and validated, which can lead to improved self-esteem and a greater sense of belonging.
  • While meaningful conversations have the most impact, engaging in any of the seven communication types at least once a day was enough to improve well-being. In particular, it increased feelings of connection and decreased stress.

While one conversation was enough to increase positive feelings, more than one was even more effective. And while conversations by text or phone call were helpful, in-person conversations yielded the best results. The final takeaway:  Stay intentional about maintaining your relationships!

​Have you had a meaningful conversation with a friend lately, and how did you feel afterward? To join the conversation, click "comments" above.

Learn more about creating a habit around masterful communication with our online learning courses awarded International Gold for Best Hybrid Learning of 2022. 

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Keys to Motivating Employees

5/16/2023

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Motivating employees is not about carrots and sticks, but about creating a culture that inspires people not only to do great work, but to feel great about the work they do. Writing in the Harvard Business Review, Lisa Lai, moderator of global leadership development programs for Harvard Business School Publishing, says: “The better employees feel about their work, the more motivated they remain over time. When we step away from the traditional carrot or stick to motivate employees, we can engage in a new and meaningful dialogue about the work instead.” Her recommended strategies include: 

  • Provide context and relevance: It is essential for employees to understand how their work aligns with the goals and mission of the organization, and how it benefits others. By sharing the organization's purpose, goals, and outcomes, employers can help employees see the value of their contributions. Connecting to the larger purpose promotes engagement.
  • Anticipate roadblocks: Requesting significant contributions from team members is likely to result in hurdles that may affect their motivation. It is crucial to acknowledge that challenges may impact their drive and to take action to prevent this. Stay vigilant and proactive.
  • Recognize contributions and show appreciation:  Leaders often underestimate the positive impact of recognition on employee motivation. This includes celebrating milestones, exceptional results, going above and beyond to help colleagues, providing excellent customer service, and exemplifying company values. When employees feel valued and appreciated, their motivation is boosted.
  • Check in to assess your own motivation:  Employees are very attuned to whether leaders have a genuine connection to the work or are “just phoning it in.”  If you’re not enthusiastic, it’s unlikely you’ll be a great motivator of others. What aspects of your role do you relish? What makes you proud to lead your team? How can you mold your own role to increase your drive? 
What motivates you and what do you do to motivate others? To join the conversation, click on  "comments" above.

Learn more about creating a habit around masterful communication with our online learning courses awarded International Gold for Best Hybrid Learning of 2022. 

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Increasing Visibility at Work

5/9/2023

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Do you want to stand out at work?  Visibility is crucial for getting recognized by management, bolstering your reputation, and increasing opportunities for career growth. But getting noticed can be more challenging than ever if you are working remotely all or some of the time.

In “Five Ways to Increase Your Visibility at Work" Forbes contributor Caroline Castrillon provides useful tips for those who want to be noticed and to overcome “proximity bias”  (when managers treat workers who are physically closer to them more favorably).

  • Participate in conversations:  Resist turning off your camera and hiding in the background during virtual meetings. Keep your camera on to literally increase your face time with your team and to show facial expressions and non-verbal cues, which help foster a sense of connection.  Ask questions to show you are engaged.
  • Show enthusiasm for learning:  Attend conferences, read industry journals, get certifications. Lifelong learners demonstrate curiosity and initiative. And improving your skills and qualifications is a path to growth.
  • Volunteer for stretch assignments:  Look especially for high-profile cross-functional projects headed by senior leaders. This will elevate your profile beyond your immediate team and show commitment to collaboration.
  • Share the spotlight: Sharing credit strengthens team morale while simultaneously enhancing company culture and building trust.
  • Establish a relationship with your manager: Don't hesitate to solicit feedback and ask your boss if they need help on any projects. 

How do you ensure that you get noticed at work? To join the conversation, click "comments" above.

Learn more about creating a habit around masterful communication with our online learning courses awarded International Gold for Best Hybrid Learning of 2022. ​

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The Key to a Great Job Interview

5/2/2023

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Got a job interview coming up? Of course you’ll research the organization you’re interviewing with and probably find a bio of your interviewer. But, according to senior Forbes contributor Mike Murphy, job interviewees often make one serious omission: They fail to come prepared with highly detailed experiences from the past few years of their career.

When it comes to team or leadership experiences, you should be armed with specific details around moments of overcoming challenges, and of learning and growing. According to Hiring for Attitude Research, great candidates tend to give longer answers with more nitty-gritty details than lesser candidates. (Conversely, in the study Words That Cost You The Job Interview, it was discovered that low-performing candidates used 40 percent more vague adverbs ("very," "really," and "quickly") than their higher-performing peers.

“You don't want to be the candidate that spews trite clichés,” writes Murphy. “It’s far better to wow the interviewer with great specifics about your past experiences.” To that end, start with some deep reflection about your past experiences. Identify the types of skills you'll need to have for this potential new job, and consider what you have done to prove you have those skills.

Try not to exaggerate, says Murphy, “Puffery is pretty easy to spot…the fastest way to spot a liar is to listen for people who won't give direct and specific answers to your questions. If your interview responses don't contain enough specifics to convey your firsthand experience with an issue, your answers can end up sounding like they came from a book.”

​What kinds of specifics did you offer in your last job interview, and did they help land you the position? If you are an interviewer, have you noticed that specifics made a difference in your opinion of a candidate? To join the conversation, click "comments" on our Community of Practice Forum.

Learn more about creating a habit around masterful communication with our online learning courses awarded International Gold for Best Hybrid Learning of 2022.

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