In the modern business environment, change isn’t an initiative. It’s a constant. That makes leading change a critical – perhaps the most critical – skill for leaders. Whether you’re in the C-Suite or on the front lines, the leadership skills that help your team successfully navigate change and achieve the business goals that come with it must be continuously cultivated. While every situation is unique, I’ve identified a universal “top 10 list” of essential actions that enable leaders to create successful change within their organizations.
Read MoreIn recent months, I’ve had the opportunity to facilitate several workshops on elevating team performance, and it led me to an ah-ha moment. Of course, leaders are essential to bringing people together and developing a high-performing team. It’s literally in the job description. But I realized that the small, day-to-day ah-ha moments often do the heavy lifting to elevate team performance. And that made me think about how leaders can actively cultivate those day-to-day ah-has to further enable and optimize performance. Take a look.
Read MoreWhen you step into a new leadership role, 99.9% of the time, you’re inheriting an existing team with established intrapersonal dynamics, processes, and inside jokes. And 100% of the time, you’re all experiencing significant change. As a leader, the approach you take plays a central role in the success you’ll have and the time it takes to get there. (No pressure!) Several of my coaching clients have recently taken on new teams, so I’m sharing a six-step framework for success based on from my experience as a business leader and a coach.
Read MoreThe numbers tell part of the story. Despite a commitment to increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion, most companies haven’t seen a significant change in the make-up of leadership teams or their leadership bench. To find – and address – the cause, you must look beyond the stats.
Read MoreThe days when a manager’s job revolved around telling employees what to do and then assessing their performance are long gone. Instead, leaders are called upon to guide their teams through rapidly changing situations, evolving technologies, and unprecedented challenges. So, how can companies set today’s leaders up for success – and prepare future leaders to step up in the years ahead? It’s time to make a business case for coaching as a core part of how companies operate and succeed.
Read MoreEven as we continue to navigate the uncertainties of the COVID-19 virus, many companies are defining what work will look like in the months ahead. Based on what I’m hearing from clients, now is a good time to assess what we learned from our work-from-home experiences – and how we can apply the lessons to create a hybrid work culture that works.
Read More2020 was an accelerator no one saw coming as companies and their employees figured out how to make working remotely work. Now, as companies blend the old normal with the new normal, many are adopting a hybrid work model, which presents new challenges to leaders looking to optimize their team’s capabilities while also managing and developing each employee equitably. As you adapt to what hybrid work looks like for you and your team, apply these three must-dos.
Read MoreAs the pandemic surged, companies and employees were forced to rethink how and where work got done. Now, as the world emerges from the pandemic’s restrictions, much has been written about how large corporations are adjusting and redefining their return-to-work strategies. Less focus has been given to small and medium-sized businesses. What challenges are they facing? What actions can they take? And what happens next? Coaching Works NYC, in partnership with PG Research, conducted a survey designed to provide insights and help answer these questions.
Read MoreThe debate about whether hiring for culture fit undermines an organization’s diversity is ongoing, with valid points on both sides. However, instead of taking an either/or approach, companies can successfully integrate both culture fit and increased diversity into their hiring practices. All it takes is a thoughtful and honest assessment of current processes – and a commitment to making changes if needed.
Read MoreOn top of navigating the global pandemic, civil unrest, and new work-life stressors, leaders are now facing another challenge – a tumultuous and particularly polarizing election season. Understanding that passions will be high, it's business-critical to ensure political differences don’t derail your company culture or sidetrack hard-won team chemistry. Read on for three insights to consider to help refine your leadership plan in preparation for a tumultuous close of a tumultuous year.
Read MoreThe COVID-19 pandemic has affected nearly every facet of our lives. Why should how we think about leadership be any different? The pandemic put a brighter spotlight on the leadership skills companies need in the years ahead and why they’re essential. Whether you’re in a leadership role now, searching for a new job, or working to develop your skills to lead in the future, here are three areas to focus on to ensure you’re putting the right skills forward.
Read MoreRaise your hand if you have a case of crisis fatigue. Let’s face it, who doesn’t? From the pandemic and economic distress through civil unrest, 2020 has served up an overwhelming amount of stress. For leaders, the responsibility to provide support, direction, and answers amid all this uncertainty adds an extra sense of pressure. We all need to cut ourselves some slack right now. But many leaders struggle with how to practice self-compassion while leading. Here’s a perspective on how to start.
Read MoreLeadership requires a delicate balance between the human needs of our employees and the business needs of our company — especially right now as we navigate civil unrest in our communities and the ongoing challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. As I consult with clients, a common theme is how leaders can show up for their teams in ways that matter and make a difference. It all starts with an empathetic conversation. Here are some dos and don’ts.
Read MoreWith everything that’s happening in the world, the “new normal” is feeling decidedly not normal. While our individual reactions are shaped by highly personal perspectives and experiences, I’m hearing common themes from clients — How do I stay motivated and productive? How do I continue to motivate and lead my team? How can I better balance work and life as demands continue to shift? In this post, I share insights about the three basic components of motivation and how understanding them can help leaders adapt to changing circumstances, and motivate themselves and their teams.
Read MoreUncertainty in the business world is nothing new. Back in the ‘80s, Peter Vaill, a management consultant and author, described the challenge as leading through “permanent whitewater rapids.” Now, as the COVID-19 situation evolves, we’re navigating uncertainty like most of us have never experienced in our lifetimes. What does it take to get comfortable with uncertainty – and successfully lead a team and a company to succeed? Start by taking three steps.
Read MoreAs a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, business leaders – and their teams – are navigating unprecedented situations that combine the challenges of remote working, a significant economic downturn, and, in many cases, the need to reinvent or downsize the business. For the most part, the enterprise-level programs have focused on communication, connectivity, and productivity. But, resilient leadership also includes recognizing one size won’t fit all. Read on to explore how you can build team resilience in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis.
Read MoreOptimizing team performance has always been an important element of a leader’s success. However, in an increasingly volatile and complex world, tomorrow’s leaders must put even more emphasis on creating and nurturing a high-performing team. Here’s a look at the essential benefits created by high-performing teams and why they’re a business imperative today.
Read MoreLeading a business today is challenging. Plus, you have the added complexity of transforming your business and yourself to address the demands of the future marketplace. It’s a transformation that will require you to tap into completely new leadership skillsets. But, there’s another facet to consider. Are you future-friendly? Ask yourself three questions to assess your readiness to lead your team into the future.
Read MoreToday’s leaders, both new and experienced, face an ever-accelerating pace of change that can make dealing with self-doubt a critical derailer to continued development and future success. The first step for dealing with this challenge is accepting that you’re not supposed to have all the answers.
Read MoreToday’s business leaders face a choice. Adapt and lead their companies forward in a rapidly changing and uncertain environment, or stay the course and run the risk of getting left behind. For many leaders, developing the necessary skills will require a conscious change in approach. Here are five must-have characteristics all leaders will need in order to thrive in 2025.
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