Recently I gave a brief talk to InterCom, the regional group for communications professionals. The topic was collaborative organizations, using our Midwest Consulting Group as a model. We believe MCG is the oldest virtual corporation in Michigan, and probably one of the oldest in the U.S. Building business through collaboration is what we have been about [...]
Colleagues
What is a “colleague”? In the broadest sense it’s a term we use for someone we work with and value. Still, it has come to mean much more than that to me. When I think of my own colleagues, I see people with whom I work, sure. But more importantly, I see friends. Individuals with [...]
An Irritating Guy!
Communications Stories from the Trenches – III Once upon a time I worked with a colleague – we’ll call him Ralph – who seemed to have a great deal of difficulty in looking directly at me when we talked. The moment I walked into his office he stood up and did not sit down until [...]
8 Essential Skills for Nonprofit Managers
For those of you managing nonprofit organizations – we’ve been asked to develop a 5-session workshop series for our friends at ONEplace@KPL. This series is designed for entry to middle-level directors and managers in all areas of nonprofit organizations (executives, programs, services, administrations, operations, fund development, communications—anyone who supervises others). Each session will be 2.5 hours [...]
That Derailment Thing – Again
Our friends at the Center for Creative Leadership have studied the reasons behind managers derailing and crashing. It seems to come down to three things: They don’t successfully adapt during transitions They are difficult to work with They fail to lead in a team-centered way As I look back at supervisors and managers who derail [...]
The 8 Skills at Indy – Lessons – Part 2
This past weekend’s Indy 500 is probably the 10th time we’ve been a part of this event. Over the years I’ve watched the physical plant evolve and observed changes in the way in which the event is managed. Skill 3 – Building Successful Relationships – there are all kinds of people associated with the business [...]
Teacher vs. Coach
When you manage you fulfill a number of different roles in the course of your work. In this post I’d like to take a brief look at two of those roles; Teacher and Coach. Teacher Managers and supervisors work with employees who have a wide variety of skills and knowledge. This means you’re frequently placed [...]
Why Managers Fail – 4
For someone who believes, as my colleague and coach Mary Jo Asmus does, that “it’s all about the relationships,” then this is a major cause of supervisors and managers derailing in their careers. Failing to Build Partnerships & Cooperative Work Relationships Most successful organizations have effectively broken down the walls or silos that once existed [...]
Skill 3 – Building Successful Relationships
Your success as a leader will be built on a foundation of two things: (1) your ability to get things done or accomplish tasks, and (2) your ability to forge and sustain positive relationships with other people. True leadership means focusing on both tasks and relationships. No matter how driven, focused, and hardworking you may [...]
