One of the most destructive forces in a company is caused by fear. Just as pollution damages the environment, fear is toxic to companies. Fear destroys creativity, shatters loyalty, and discourages people who want to “do what’s right.” While some managers use fear to stop an activity, this tactic never inspires anyone to perform at… [Read More]
Change . . . Why Bother?
Change…Why Bother? One of the reasons why many change management efforts fail is that the process is often misunderstood—leading to solutions that exacerbate rather than solve problems. Until change management is viewed as a continual process requiring commitment, learning, and understanding, it will be difficult for managers to lead their organizations into the future. 7… [Read More]
The Employee Commitment Cube
What’s the Temperature of Your Workforce? The stages of employee satisfaction, ranging from commitment to apathy, are as follows: Committed. Every organization wants to strive for committed employees. These individuals have moved beyond loyalty. They are so deeply moved by the organization’s values and purpose that they continually look for creative and innovative new ways… [Read More]
Dream No Small Dreams
“Dream no small dreams for they have no power to move the hearts of men.” — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe The American Dream may mean something different to each of us. At its best, it affords each American the freedom and opportunity to pursue happiness according to one’s own priorities. At its worst, the American… [Read More]
It’s Time to Eliminate Bureaucracies
Bloated bureaucracies crush aspirations, stifle creativity, suppress ingenuity, and slow down responsiveness. Unfortunately, once bureaucracy develops, it is as difficult to control in business as crabgrass on a suburban lawn. Bureaucracies cause people to thirst for power, value personal ambition over team gain, and put paperwork before people. In bureaucracies, employees “don’t matter” because they… [Read More]
Are Role Models Becoming Extinct?
When we were growing up, our teachers saluted great individuals who changed the course of history; during dinnertime, our parents lovingly recalled their idols; and of course, we had our own personal heroes who walked on water. They were wonderful role models. Martin Luther King, Princess Diana, Leonard Bernstein, Walter Cronkite, Colin Powell, Helen Keller,… [Read More]
Are You Talking to Yourself?
Today and in the years to come, organizations will have to focus on winning employees back; building trust, respect, and teamwork between people; being receptive to and then acting on the best ideas; and once again instilling employees with pride in and commitment to the organization. Internal communication will be a major force in achieving… [Read More]
It’s Time for a New Style of Leadership
It’s time for a new style of leadership. Today’s employees wants to work for an organization that they can feel proud of: an organization that has values and viewpoints compatible with their own; an organization that is oriented toward the long haul, working toward the prevention of ills, not just curing the symptoms; an organization… [Read More]