I taught a night class on Managerial Communication at Metropolitan State University for 10 years. Students would often ask me, “How do you have difficult conversations with employees?” The key to having effective and successful difficult conversations with employees is to take in the whole picture and get prepared. Brush up on some of the principles of emotional intelligence: […]
I am often asked, “How do you handle difficult conversations at work?” The most important thing you can do is be prepared to respond rather than react. Carefully script the most effective responses you are going to say in these tough conversations.
The process of conversation takes in at least five steps: opening, feedforward, business, feedback, and closing.
The first step […]
Some leaders believe they always need to be a serious. They keep their nose to the grindstone. They have energy; energy for results. They’re not going to jump around and cheerlead staff and distract them from their work.
I think they misunderstand the relationship of being energetic and being an effective leader.
Energy is contagious. Our emotions are affected by the […]
Some leaders believe they are most important. They don’t have time to respond to every request from everybody for which they are responsible. They have an office far from the front door for a reason. They believe that they need to stay focused on their own agenda and not be distracted by others’ concerns. Some relish in being aloof […]
To some, ethics, character, and the concept of moral intelligence seems old-fashioned. Some leaders believe if they don’t cut corners, bend the rules, or shade the truth, they might miss opportunities.
I believe effective leaders need to build their reputation on an ethical foundation.
When the economy gets tough and it gets harder and harder to hit the numbers, sometimes ethics […]