What does a washer dryer set have to do with leadership accountability? We ordered a washer dryer set from Home Depot. While waiting for the set to arrive, we received a flurry of helpful texts ensuring that we had measured to make sure the set would fit through the door… Read More »A Washer, Dryer, and Accountability
It is traditional at this time of year to reflect on the events and actions of the previous twelve months. As this year comes to a close, what I find most striking is the unbelievable vitriol that has infected interpersonal relationships. It seems to have become impossible to discuss even… Read More »How Dare You Disagree
Photo by Freepik Shortly after arriving in the new organization, I asked why we were doing certain tasks that didn’t seem to make sense. This was my first job as an airplane mechanic. I was very young, impressionable, and quite curious so I was disappointed when another mechanic told me… Read More »Don’t Raise Mushrooms
Photo by FreePik We were cold. Not just a little chilled, but cold to the marrow of our bones. And wet. Our team was on the escape and evasion portion of aircrew survival school. During this part of the training we had to navigate with a map and compass (this… Read More »Cold, Wet, Hungry
Photo by Freepix A Story About Joe, Jane, and their Teams Joe and Jane both led divisions in a large company that were roughly equal in size and responsibility. The company had recently implemented some changes that were unpopular and disruptive to both divisions. Joe was having a lot of… Read More »How to Make Change a Little Easier
Photo by Freepik You’re a good leader. Your team is successful, but there is that one team member who is always contrary, always causes trouble, and who is keeping your team from reaching the high levels you know they’re capable of. What do you do? This can be a complex… Read More »What to do With That Problem Team Member
Image by FreePik The Sinking Raft It was dark. About 12 of us students were seated in a 20-person life raft. It was a sick person who thought 20 adults could actually fit in one of these rafts. Even with only 12 it was a bit crowded. To add a… Read More »Two Lessons from U.S. Air Force Survival School
Image by Freepik It’s often a difficult concept for leaders to grasp – this idea of accountability. What does accountability mean for a leader? Accountability and responsibility are often used synonymously, but there is a subtle, yet critical difference. You are responsible for accomplishing assignments, living within corporate values, or… Read More »How to Create a Culture of Accountability in the Workplace
Many leaders I’ve worked with lead remote teams. Although remote teams became the norm during the covid years, even before then it was becoming very common for teams to be geographically separated across the country and around the world. And even with today’s advanced technology, communicating with remote teams still… Read More »How to Collaborate Effectively if Your Team is Remote
Have you ever said to yourself, ” My boss is clueless?” “What is the boss thinking?” or “Why did they do that?” or “He/she just doesn’t seem to understand.” Do you have to just sit there frustrated, or can you do something about it? Everyone has a boss. Even a… Read More »Help My Boss is Clueless