Succession Planning and the Organizational Life Cycle
The motion of a swinging pendulum can be fascinating to watch. If designed to do so, a swinging pendulum can create beautiful, symmetrical designs of calm and order. However, a swinging pendulum can also result in disarray and destruction. It depends on the degrees of awareness and intentionality in those who put the pendulum in […]
Healthy Accountability… What a “Sick” Idea!
It was not a happy place to work. The mission was clear and meaningful. The people were good-hearted and good at what they did (for the most part). The customers were loyal…except for when they were disappointed, again. Something had to change. So, as the new guy in charge of operations, programs, and services, I […]
When an Executive Coach is More Beneficial than a Mentor
Remember how much easier working out and skill-building was with a coach on the sideline? Perhaps you remember how quickly you learned when an experienced teacher directed you toward proficiency and even mastery. In the same way, an Executive Coach is an objective guide that helps you identify what may not be serving you in […]
How Often to Meet with an Executive Coach
“As often as needed.” Ah, there’s the rub. Once we become competent at something, we seldom recognize when we have a need related to that something. We may have an inkling that an objective outsider might help broaden our perspective or deepen our understanding… but things seem to be going well enough, and then there’s […]
Why Does Your Team Exist?
You’d be surprised at how few people can confidently answer that question. When contemplating “Why does your team exist” it’s valuable to think like an ant. Ants are incredible creatures. A single ant can carry 10-50 times its own body weight! But even then, it cannot accomplish the main task of the colony alone. So, […]
What is Agency and How Does it Benefit a Team?
Gary Gunderson, a pioneer in the field of faith in public health, explored many theories, research papers, speeches, and presentations about the causes of death. Medical science is continually focused on the causes of death and preventing them. For instance, if obesity is a leading cause of death, we focus on avoiding obesity. The same […]
Helping Others Connect Their Motivations
What personally motivates each individual on your team is complexly unique to them, and that’s a good thing. Just as diversity on a team with a common purpose serves the organization more effectively, diversity of motivations can connect various components for greater momentum. Let’s take a look at helping others identify their personal motives. Purpose […]
“Character” Defined: What does it mean for the workplace?
What is “sound character”? It is the combined attributes of a person that prove solid and unshakable during difficult and disorienting challenges. We each think differently, and we believe different things. But there are commonalities that tend to produce an honorable person, a person with sound character. (There are also people with “unsound” character.) As […]
Non-Sloppy Standards of Performance
When it comes to accountability around clear performance expectations, it makes sense to set up some standards of performance to follow. But deciding on this standard isn’t really a one-and-done type of task. It takes time, careful planning, and many human, emotional factors need to be taken into account. Rushing through the process almost always […]
Employee Training vs. Employee Development
Employee training done well is a one-and-done event – True or False? It depends. Some things to keep in mind for employee training vs. employee development: Whether you focus on one-time employee training sessions or an employee development program, each approach depends on a few key factors. And there are times for a hybrid approach. […]