Happy Employees
What Technical Skills Should You Really Require in New Hires? Experience And Potential.
*Upon request, this month I will give you one worksheet and walk you through how to use it over the following weeks Hiring is not only about values and principles. There is also technical skill to consider. The question is: which technical abilities are essential from day one, and which can be developed on the…
Read MoreFocus Your Hiring To Combine Culture And Capability
*Upon request, this month I will give you one worksheet and walk you through how to use it over the following weeks Two sets of guiding principles: one for the company, one for the role. But how do you make them the same, yet different? They serve different purposes, and describe different things. What are…
Read MoreDouble the Impact: Core Values And Role Values.
*Upon request, this month I will give you one worksheet and walk you through how to use it over the following weeks I like to turn company values into guiding principles. In other words, clear, actionable behaviors that prove those values. Last week’s worksheet has two spaces for guiding principles. Why two? Guiding principles for…
Read MoreBalanced Hiring: How To Balance Culture And Competence. (The Worksheet)
*Upon request, this month I will give you one worksheet and walk you through how to use it over the following weeks When it comes to hiring, most people fall into one of three camps: Hiring approach These instincts aren’t wrong—but relying on just one can lead to trouble. Hiring balance The truth is you…
Read MoreStop Micromanaging: Strong Leadership And Letting Your Team Shine. (The Worksheet)
You don’t want to micromanage. But you might be doing it anyway. Do you… If these are regular habits, you may be micromanaging. Holding people back This kind of behavior has many “good” justifications. But all it does is make your employees rely on you for everything. Which strips them of any freedom, autonomy, or…
Read MoreTrust in Action: The Best Antidote to Micromanagement. (The Worksheet)
We can all agree that micromanagement is bad. You don’t think you do it. And if you do, you wish you didn’t. But let’s be honest—it’s tough to let go. Start clarifying your role: what are the projects and decisions you should focus on? What about your team—what key goals and outcomes should each employee…
Read MoreMore Than A Great Catchphrase: Why Company Culture Matters More Than You Think. (The Worksheet)
Now you know why mission statements are important. But what about company culture? Isn’t it just a buzzword used to sound impressive in corporate brochures? Let’s see if there’s more to culture than just PR spin. Culture isn’t real This is what many business owners and leaders feel. Because, after all: Or so you may…
Read MoreThe Magic Meeting Makeover: How to Make Every Meeting Count. (The Worksheet)
The average employee spends 392 hours in meetings each year. But there is a problem. Only 33% of meetings actively make a new decision. And a meeting without a decision is a waste of time. Make sure your meetings are part of the 67% where decisions are made. Why meetings are hard There’s nothing wrong…
Read MoreMistakes Are Not Failures: Why Solving Your Own Errors Matters. (The Worksheet)
Managing people is never more important than when managing mistakes. How do you react when an employee makes an error? Do you want them to feel bad and repent? Or do you want them to learn, grow, and do better next time? Who has responsibility Last week, we talked about taking responsibility for mistakes with…
Read MoreThe Power of Clarity: Small Business Teams Want Clear Expectations. (The Worksheet)
Nearly 48% of workers reported leaving a job because it didn’t meet their expectations (from a survey by ThriveMap). This highlights a crucial aspect of employee management: the importance of clear communication about expected outcomes. The importance of managing expectations. Communication gap It is not because you lied to them about their jobs. It is…
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