Recovering Leader

The Excessively Critical Leader

What's one to do? Everyone has a story of a nightmare boss. Why? Because overly critical people are in positions of authority with surprising frequency, and tend to be, well, memorable. They can be hurtful, insulting, angry, disapproving, intolerant, abusive—or any combination thereof. People who work around them are often stressed out or shut down, operating in coping mode—avoiding touchy... Read more →

Making a Smooth Transition from Peer to Leader

Promotion from peer to leader is a common thing, yet can be a problem for some. It's often a feeling of apprehension about what now-former peers may think, what's "supposed to be different" now that you're in charge, etc. So here are six considerations in making this transition smoothly: 1. Determine Your Point B “Must-haves:” Carve out a period of... Read more →

How Does Your Organization Impact the Common Good?

My workforce research showed most workers put organizational integrity ahead of financial gain. Yet in the current practice of capitalism, as organizations grow, gaining financial sustainability, influence and impact on society, they tend toward self-protection and self-interest. What's a well-meaning worker to do? When buying a car, or a mattress for that matter, we'd look at Consumer Reports. When taking... Read more →

Leadership and Letting Yourself off the Hook

“I know I need to …” indicates a well-meaning person who’s not yet ready to resolve an issue or problem. For example: "I know I tend to be the bottleneck in the process, and need to be more timely about my work." "I know I need to do more relationship-building in the organization." "I know I need to delegate more,... Read more →