Inc.com’s Boss School blog discusses a topic that seems like it might be a distinction without a difference – leadership vs. management. However, I think the author hits a perfect chord right at the start: Leadership isn’t the same thing as management. Leadership is about providing vision as to where the company is going. It’s about inspiring and motivating. It’s about instilling a certain amount of comfort that someone wiser than you is going to figure a way out of a mess. I often think of managing as being somewhat akin to being a zookeeper. You keep things in order and provide needed resources. That’s not the greatest metaphor, but… Read More
Continue ReadingManaging The Rant
Bob Rosner has a unique perspective on managing employees in his latest Working Wounded post – Stop Workplace Whining. The setup: A study by In Touch asked employees, “Why don’t you speak up at work?” More than 1 in 4 said they remain quiet because “there isn’t a good way to speak up” or “management doesn’t care.” I’ve outlined below three dos to reduce pressure at work and have everyone engaged in the problem-solving process. For more, check out Rant, Repair, Rave on workplace911.com. I’ll leave the whale example at the beginning of his post for you to read on your own (it is funny and disgusting all at once).… Read More
Continue Reading10 Management Lessons
There might be nothing more important to a business’ success than strong management. When management struggles, the entire company pays a price no matter how large. ManageSmarter.com offers an article with 10 excellent tips for leadership. Here’s a taste: • Have a vision and communicate it. Make sure you clearly communicate your vision for the company. No one follows a leader who cannot communicate the way in which the company will succeed. The future of all your employees is tied closely to the success of your company. Make sure they believe in your company, what it stands for, and its products and services, and make sure they know that the… Read More
Continue ReadingVelvet Hammer Management
I’ve recently been looking at creativity in selling since it seems to be a topic of discussion with greater frequency. The younger generations are flattening the long-standing hierarchal structures that have been a hallmark of corporate structure. Part of this change has to be attributed to the creative freedom wielded by so many Gen Y employees. Managing creative types can be a real challenge as Jack Welch discusses in this article: But what a mistake if you lead creative people from your heart and stop there. Managing creative people also requires—it even demands—a measure of authority. Nothing heavy-handed, of course. You don’t want your resident out-of-the-box thinkers running for the… Read More
Continue ReadingDoom On Company Time
The Herman Group newsletter this week discusses the amount of gaming that goes on in an office. Gaming as in playing video games. Seriously. We estimate that computer gaming is costing United States employers millions of dollars every year. According to a recent survey of computer gamers, 24 percent of white collar workers admitted to playing during work hours. The most critical finding is the frequency with which these workers play. Over half (53 percent) said they play at work at least once a day. Seventy-nine percent said they play at work several times a week—or more. Eighty-four percent said that, on average, they play casual games at work for… Read More
Continue Reading