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Having Quarterly Conversations
When I start working with clients, they invariably tell me that their performance review process is either broken or it’s just not very effective. This is after they’ve spent an inordinate amount of time focused on getting the forms right, editing them, chasing people down to make sure that they’ve completed the forms and that they turned them in. In …
Maintaining the Right Meeting Pulse
There are two components of having a meeting pulse. The first is the meeting itself – It’s stated objectives and agenda. The second component is its frequency – how often you meet. The fact is, you can’t run a successful business without having meetings. So, if you think that meetings are a total waste of time, do a little soul …
Three Tips to Improve Your Communication
To communicate effectively, we must avoid making assumptions of others based upon what they tell us or the non-verbal signals that they send us. Remember, this is a two-way street. Sometimes, they’re making assumptions of us based upon the exact same things. So, avoid making assumptions. When we make assumptions, we invite a breakdown in communication. That’s how rumors get …
Keeping Expectations Clear at the Herrington Inn
I’d like to share a story about how a boutique hotel in Geneva, Illinois, won the prestigious AAA Four Diamond Award for 19 years in a row. The story begins with a great boss, Paul Ruby, who took over the hotel as a general manager and instituted what he called “The Herrington Rules”. These are the 12 rules that make …
Keeping Expectations Clear
I’m frequently asked, “How can I hold my people more accountable?” The simple answer is, you can’t. You must create an environment where people hold themselves accountable. And, accountability starts with clear expectations. But, keeping expectations clear is a two-way street. This means that your direct reports must be clear on your expectations of them, and you must be …
Clarity Breaks
If you’ve read books on great leaders in history, you’ll find that one of the things that they all had in common was the ability to get out of the weeds, rise above it all, and take time to think. Henry Ford once said, “Thinking is the hardest thing to do, that’s why so few people engage in it.” As …
The Greater Good
Today, we’re focusing on acting with the greater good in mind. Great leaders always act for the greater good and that greater good is your organization’s vision. Not your vision, your organization’s vision. That creates the context for how your decisions and your actions support the greater good. I’d like to share a story with you about two great …
Letting Go of the Vine, Part 2
We often complain that we don’t have enough TIME to get everything done. The fact is we all have the same amount of time. What’s different is how we choose to use our time. Applying the Delegate and Elevate tool will help you make more effective use of your time but, the people who report to you must be doing …
Providing the Necessary Tools
Once you’ve created the opening with a compelling vision for your people, you must provide them with the necessary tools to make your vision happen. If you don’t, they’ll be frustrated. It’s debilitating for them. It’s akin to giving someone a set of blueprints to build you a house and then not providing the material and tools necessary to complete …