Performance management. Two words that can send shivers down the spines of employees, and generate headaches in even the most conscientious of managers! So, why does something that's designed to help individuals and teams to support and enhance their organization's goals get such a bad rap? Executive coach Sarah Harvey, founder of Savvy Conversations, believes […]
As some of you may know, we have discussion forums in the Mind Tools Club. A while ago, I started a conversation about mental health. One of our members, whom we'll call George, replied to say that he was recently diagnosed with a mental health concern. Since then, George has been very generous in sharing […]
Career Skills, Communication, Leadership, Stress, Team Management, Uncategorized
You could feel the creative energy crackling around the room. Talented professionals brimming over with classy ideas, turning their thoughts into tautly-written TV masterpieces that would have the binge-watching masses transfixed and craving the next instalment. The Writers' Room. Yes, that was the answer. The way forward. The dream job. A "meeting of minds." The […]
"Digital" has been creeping up on us. I remember when typewriters became electronic, and then they gave way to word processors. Memos were replaced by emails, and phone calls were superseded by instant messages. Each small change made communication a little bit easier, and now a large part of our lives has been transformed into […]
"A day without learning is like a day without breathing." – Robin Sharma As we approach the end of December, you may start to focus on the new year ahead. You're thinking about your goals, and how you're going to make the next 12 months better. But it's always useful to consider the things you […]
#MTtalk, Career Skills, Empowerment, Learning Skills, Team Management, Uncategorized
A big problem has somehow landed in your lap. Everyone's looking to you to make the final decision, the ripples of which will extend far beyond your little team. But the boss went on holiday with a clear "do not disturb" notice. What do you do? How Urgent Is the Decision? Is the boss's unavailability […]
Communication, Decision Making, Problem Solving, Team Management
"’Twas the night before Christmas when all through the house Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse…" – from The Night Before Christmas, or A Visit From St. Nicholas So goes the much-loved poem that will be read to countless excited children all round the world this Christmas Eve. If only reality matched the […]
Project Management, Stress, Team Management, Time Management, Uncategorized
When it comes to motivational clichés, I've heard them all. "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade." Or perhaps that old classic: "Keep calm and carry on." But, before you roll your eyes, clichés can work. Just look at Nike's world-famous "Just Do It" slogan. It's one that reportedly helped the company to increase its share […]
There are lots of reasons why talented people move from one job to another – more money, better opportunities, greater responsibility. But one key reason that is often forgotten is the appeal or "magnetism" that senior managers have to prospective employees. This is the idea behind Roberta Chinsky Matuson's new book, "The Magnetic Leader." In […]
Strange but true: I had both the best and the worst managers of my career – so far – at the same company. Not only that, but they managed me one after the other. It happened at a time of huge change, as the organization underwent a major restructure. None of this, of course, helped the […]
Career Skills, Change Management, Leadership, Stress, Team Management, Uncategorized
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