A few days ago I was running in Central Park as fast as I could, pushing myself hard, trying to beat my previous best time. About halfway around the park I passed a mother walking with her two-year-old daughter. They were holding hands and she … [Read more...]
When Should You Let an Employee Make a Mistake?
November 5, 2009 By
"Put my training wheels back on," Sophia said in a stern tone, "Or I'm not going to ride my bike!" She had just turned four that day and wanted to learn to ride a bike like her older sister. Now she wasn't so sure. After a lot of encouraging and a … [Read more...]
To Change Effectively, Change Just One Thing
October 6, 2009 By
I lost 18 pounds in the past month and a half. I didn't exercise harder or longer than usual. I didn't read a new diet book supported by evidence and filled with rules and recipes. I didn't eat prepared meals from a diet organization. I've done … [Read more...]
Why the Wrong People Get Laid Off — And How to Prevent It
September 29, 2009 By
Lisa (names have been changed) held a mid-level position in Human Resources at a large bank and received stellar performance reviews every year for five years. Conscientious, she delivered projects on time and communicated clearly with her manager. … [Read more...]
How to Make Solving Problems Fun
September 15, 2009 By
When my friend Richard asked me to join him in training for a triathlon, I carefully considered his request. For about a second. "No way." "Oh, come on. Why not?" "Because I've raced triathlons before. They're painful. It takes me a week to … [Read more...]
A New Rule for the Workplace
September 10, 2009 By
A few months ago my wife Eleanor came home upset after an incident with one of the parents at our daughter's school. That afternoon, when Eleanor said hello to Michelle, Michelle completely ignored her. Thinking maybe Michelle hadn't heard her, … [Read more...]
Stop Worrying about Your Weaknesses
May 19, 2009 By
Little Johnny comes home one day, looks down at his feet, and gives you his report card. You smile at him as you open it up and look inside. Then your smile disappears when you see the F in math. You also see an A (English) and two Bs (history … [Read more...]
Don’t Live in a Half-Built House
May 6, 2009 By
There is something curious about a group of houses in Utah. They're falling apart. Windows covered with wood. Roofs patched with blue tarp, blowing in the wind. Walls simply missing. And yet people live in them. These houses are not being … [Read more...]
How to Counter Resistance to Change
April 28, 2009 By
Across the table from my most important and challenging client, I faced a conflict that required a delicate and sophisticated approach if I was to achieve the outcome I wanted. This client is by far the savviest negotiator I've ever faced and she's … [Read more...]
Susan Boyle: A Lesson in Talent Management
April 22, 2009 By
Susan Boyle, who recently performed on the UK television show Britain's Got Talent, has captured the world's attention. And it's a good lesson for managers the world over. In case you've missed it: she's a 47-year-old unemployed charity worker who … [Read more...]
