My friend got a new job involving the oversight of several departments, most of which were new to her. She was told that these teams needed improvement and asked me about a general framework for evaluating a team she had never seen before. Of course if you know the domain well, you've got a mental … Continue reading Team Fundamentals, part 1
Leadership
How I Journal
It's a new year, and with it comes resolutions. I resolve to re-invigorate this blog, which has languished in the throes of a new job and new life patterns. For me, a new year also means cracking open a new journal. I have tried, on and off, to keep a diary or journal since 1983. In … Continue reading How I Journal
The other cost of not understanding performance
If you don't know how to measure performance, then you don't know if your team is doing a good job. If you don't know if your team is doing a good job, then you don't know what it takes to do a good job. If you don't know what it takes to do a good … Continue reading The other cost of not understanding performance
The gift of empathy
I was part of a facilitated discussion for a charitable group, and the question posed to us was: How do we increase empathy? It was a diverse group of entrepreneurs, educators, and others (I include myself as an "other"). There were a lot of thought-provoking questions raised: How and when do you start teaching kids … Continue reading The gift of empathy
Write your mission statement
I've previously written about using mission statements as a clear declaration of your goals. While there are different formats for capturing this concept - guiding principles, core values, vision statements - they all allow you to refer to your true goal and redirect yourself when you start to drift. The important thing is to have … Continue reading Write your mission statement
The job of a boss
A friend recently complained to me about his supervisor. It's not that his supervisor was mean or abusive, but he didn't take action to develop or guide anyone on the team. The department was, subsequently, stuck in a rut that had lasted for years. You need a few things from your boss. Your boss should: … Continue reading The job of a boss
Goal vs game
There's a repeating conversation that goes like this: "Hey, did you know that we can charge extra for [fill in something that customers don't really want]?""Yeah, but wouldn't that be taking advantage of our customers? ""Well, maybe a little bit, but it will make us more money. And we need to make money to stay … Continue reading Goal vs game
Red Goggles 