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How to Have a Difficult Conversation at Work
Use these seven practical steps to handle tough talks, difficult conversations and constructive feedback at work with empathy, clarity, and confidence—without losing trust.
Why Difficult Conversations Matter — and How They Build Trust and Respect at Work
Learn why avoiding tough talks hurts trust, and how having difficult conversations builds respect, connection, and psychological safety at work.
Practical Strategies to Inspire Leaders and Teams Today and Tomorrow
As leaders face pressures like never before, the following is a 4-point framework that explores the path inspired leaders can follow to successfully develop their organization culture, team culture, and the expectations of the people around them.
The Important Differences Between Being Kind or Being Nice.
In most every case, being kind takes more effort while being nice has the benefit of often being a low commitment, quicker, easier encounter. Don’t get me wrong, it’s better to be nice than to do nothing, but there is a difference between being nice and being kind, which is especially important for great leaders.
Values As A Window Into Your Organization
Values shape the culture and behaviour within your team. When clearly defined values are understood and embodied by your team they guide decision-making processes, and influence how team members interact with each other, with suppliers and with clients.
Team or Company Values Defining Guide
To rebalance and potentially transform your team, you must give everyone a shared focus they can believe in, and trust. Your team or company values are a magic ingredient that can refocus and consistently inspire your team in weeks. Let's discuss how rebalancing and transforming your team can be done quickly and efficiently.
Soft Skills: Not A Vulnerability
Respect may be the most important soft skill since in many ways respect opens the door for other skills including honesty, curiosity, and feeling we can safely ask questions, learn and grow. I can’t think of a job today that doesn’t need people to help each other, trust each other, find consensus, learn from each other and even forgive each other.
Team Building Activities For Your In-Office or Hybrid Team
In a hybrid workspace where much of our communication is by email or some type of instant message system, it has become more important to put plans in place to intentionally create a sense of community that invigorates a high-functioning and very enjoyable workspace. It is important to embrace your company values and vision to help unite and invigorate your team, creating loyalty and trust.
Employee Onboarding Strategy Checklist - Improve Your Onboarding Plan
A smart onboarding plan can make a new employee’s energy and effectiveness go from adequate to exceptional. Your employee onboarding strategy should empower and excite your new employee, giving them assurance and confidence they made the right decision joining your team. Let this onboarding checklist give you a head start when developing your onboarding plan and strategy.
Be A Great Leader For Generation Z
Generation Z employees like fast-paced work, learning, and experiences where they have impact. Gen Z want their employers to be their partners and respond well to leaders who are experts. They want to learn so look for leaders and companies that will mentor them and give them opportunities to gain experience. Gen Z are used to asking questions and getting (or looking up) answers. Read for more.
Change Management: Why Transformation Efforts Fail
Your change management process matters because it will be the path everyone shares. But what model should you choose? There is nothing wrong with Kotter’s eight stages or McKinsey’s seven stages. Your choice should work IF their steps are diligently completed. That said, I do like the simplicity of the ADKAR model and how each of step unmistakably embraces that people are at the centre of change.
Millennials Are Today’s Leaders. What Is In Our Future?
Because Millennials are today’s leaders, they are having an important influence on corporate cultures. Millennials often bring a fresh, more casual perspective to our workspaces. But don’t let their casual exterior fool you – they are very focused on being productive, successful, and proud of their work.
"Treat Your Staff How You Would Like to Be Treated", Sir Richard Branson. I Don't Quite Agree
Many people have written about challenges with Sir Richard Branson’s quote “There’s no magic formula for great company culture. The key is just to treat your staff how you would like to be treated”. While there are aspects of this statement that are not perfect, there is a viewpoint I believe makes sense. Let me share my dual position.
The What, Why and How of Vulnerable Leadership
What is vulnerable leadership? Vulnerability may look different for each of us. It depends on our personalities, our upbringing, our experiences and so much more. For some, vulnerability can mean fearing not always having the answers while others fear having to say, “I was wrong”. Vulnerability means showing emotion, and in this article we explore how great leaders make vulnerability a strength.
Disagree With Respect At Work: Part II
When you and I disagree with respect for each other it becomes and opportunity to work as a productive, creative team. Especially when stakes are high these three additional approaches / building blocks can help us have successful difficult conversations and be able to disagree with respect at work, with family and even with strangers. And don't forget to check out Part I of this series for more.
Disagree With Respect At Work: Part I
Disagreement is part of every business environment. And to disagree with respect at work is a sign we are part of a healthy business culture. Whatever we experience at work will also influence our behaviour, our relationships, and our enjoyment at home. This makes it even more important we recognize our responsibility to be part of a healthy business culture that embraces disagreeing with respect.
What Is Best Alternative To A Negotiated Agreement or BATNA
You empower yourself by preparing one and preferably more BATNAs (options), in advance of a negotiation. Whether you are asking for a pay increase, buying a competitor company, or deciding with your partner about where to go on vacation. And when you are done defining your BATNAs, go further and define the BATNAs of your counterparts.
How To Develop A Strategic Plan
How do you go about being successful when faced with the mammoth time-consuming task of developing a strategic plan? My quick advice is, “Be patient, take it one step at a time – don’t skip any steps, and include as many other people as possible at every step”.
Work-Life Balance Requires Respect, Trust And Choice By Everyone
So many people are asking "How do you respect work-life balance?" and "Is Work Life Balance Possible?". Organizations are continuing to struggle finding ways to address the reality that for a company to succeed, employees need to feel like their leaders care about them. The question is, "What is the balance between employee needs and business needs?"
Difficult Conversations: Never Easy – Always Worthwhile
I propose it’s better to have a conversation that will be uncomfortable in the short time and give the employee the opportunity to see you as someone who cares about their personal and professional future. By having a difficult conversation and resolving conflict you are also empowering them to decide if they would like to adjust their behaviour.