Racing to mediocrity: how to rationalize minus-one hiring
When a manager rationalizes hiring the lesser candidate, that’s minus-one hiring. It leads to institutionalized reliable mediocrity.
Leadership
Controlling the answers by controlling the questions
Some leaders manufacture outcomes by manipulating data and controlling the questions that get asked. That can lead to spectacular failure, and often does.
To think outside the box, they first must perceive the box
Expecting your team to think outside the box when they don’t even know there is a box will frustrate and baffle you. But there are things you can do to help.
Knowing when to break the rules
This post is about roles and responsibilities, both in a team and in society. It includes a sports metaphor and a picture of me wearing an orange safety vest.
Why a leader’s opinion on working from home or returning to the office shouldn’t matter
Leaders often think that everyone who doesn’t agree with them is simply wrong. Sometimes this is due to the false consensus effect, and it can kill morale.
Overcoming magical thinking
Leaders are responsible for overcoming magical thinking before it can sink their team or organization… or the entire economy.
What leadership quality do you need to improve most?
There is no single leadership quality that will turn you into a great leader. Self improvement requires self awareness and situational awareness.
Why I dislike the term “managing up”
Managing Up is a term that reinforces the channels of authoritarian hierarchy. I prefer to use a term a professional dancer told me: back-leading. Here’s why.
Two questions you need to answer as a manager when taking over a team
Stepping into a management role and taking over a team can be far more complex than many people assume. These questions and exercises can help ensure success.
Improve your leaders to improve your organization
How one-on-one coaching can help improve your leaders, which will improve your organization in ways that no retreat, training, or reorganization can.