LinkedIn is the best social media site for professional conversations. LinkedIn Groups are communities of like-minded people who share a common interest. As someone who is a member of LinkedIn Groups and also manager of my own group, I have extensive experience from both sides of the fence. Here are a few etiquette tips when participating in LinkedIn Groups: Create … [Read more...]
Is Your Leadership Style Riddled with Blind Spots?
As a business leader, do you know if your leadership style has blind spots? At work, to accomplish what needs to get done in a timely manner and to hit established deadlines, employees and leaders create policies and procedures that can be consistently followed. The ways we do things become habits, and we become comfortable following the day-to-day routines, thinking that such … [Read more...]
3 Power Tips to Land a Board Seat in 2015
If you want to get a corporate board seat in 2015, then you'll benefit from the three power tips to make it happen below! 1. Pay Attention to Your Self-Signals. Do you have a negative or positive voice that speaks to you as you progress toward your goal this year? Are you overstated or understated? Learn to hear your thoughts, pay attention to your self-signals, and turn off … [Read more...]
The Woman-side of Leadership
In business, women often bring a different set of leadership traits to the table than their male counterparts. These are considered more feminine traits such as collaboration, empathy, patience, and humility. Not all women leaders possess these traits and some women actually possess more masculine traits such as aggressiveness and competitiveness. But in a current work … [Read more...]
How to Keep Your Employees’ Morale High
Sponsored by Lawbite: Science shows employees are more productive when they are happy—researchers at Warwick University found employees were up to 12% more effective when they were in a good mood, such is the importance of office morale. So, how do you keep your staff chipper? Offer Rewards Employees need something to work for, and to feel valued. You can show your … [Read more...]
10 Things Your Employees Don’t Want (or Need) To Know About You
Being the boss is hard, being the owner of a small business and the boss is even harder. It’s completely natural to want to dish to your employees about the hardships of your day--you likely have a lot in common with those awesome people you hired, you see them all the time, and they are genuinely interested in the well being of your business. The problem is though, that … [Read more...]
Why Compassionate Objectivity is Important
Have you noticed leaders who have mastered the art of compassionate objectivity? Do they stand out in your mind? What is it about their style of leadership that proves so very effective? When dealing with people, employees or customers, they seem to have the ability to understand things from another person’s perspective while they also have the ability to stay detached … [Read more...]
How to Avoid Fire-Fighting All The Time in Your Business
One of the reasons you went into business was to create a lifestyle you enjoy while doing what you love, right? However, your business has grown some and it may feel a little like you cannot stop putting out one fire or the other. Or maybe you have team members who seem unable to do anything without your direct supervision… which means your day is a mass of interruptions … [Read more...]
How to Be a Great Mentor – 7 Key Steps that Work
Being a valuable and dedicated mentor isn’t only about sharing your knowledge and experience with the next generation of professionals in your industry. It’s also about recognizing more about yourself. It’s about performing a duty that can’t be priced. It’s about being part of a rich, fulfilling, and mutually beneficial relationship. It’s about being prolific. 1. Arrange … [Read more...]
Next Generation Board Member – New Normal, New Competencies
Traditionally, what makes someone qualified for a board seat is experience, knowledge, and skill. But the business climate in the 21st century has been changing. Three changes that board members need to understand today include: 1. Knowledge Knowledge is universally available and can rapidly become obsolete. 2. Uncertainty The business climate is one of increasing … [Read more...]