Your Management Matters

Are You a Team?

Rob Benson — Tue, 31 May 2011 16:58:49 +0000

Are you a team or a work group? The answer determines how you address your "team" issues.

Ninja!

Rob Benson — Thu, 26 May 2011 16:24:13 +0000

While facilitating an Experiential Expertise Train-the-Trainer this week, one of the participants shared an icebreaker/energizer activity that has been an historic (and current!) favorite among both staff and campers called “Ninja.” Fun, no props, no space requirements to speak of, can be played over and over again, no limits on numbers who can play. Play [...]

Rationale: How (Smart) Activities Enhance Training

Rob Benson — Thu, 26 May 2011 16:09:05 +0000

Several years ago, a trainer posted a request for suggestions on team building activities that required no more than 60 minutes to complete. One responder wrote back, in part “Sorry to “pop some bubbles,” but THERE ARE NO 30 MINUTE TEAMBUILDING EXERCISES!!! There are no six hour Teambuilding exercises. Anyone who thinks so doesn’t understand [...]

Two Great Activities: Executive Marbles and Raptor!

Rob Benson — Thu, 26 May 2011 16:05:59 +0000

Request: “I’m hoping you can help me. All the sales reps that work with us are Independent Contractors so they are basically running their own businesses as sole traders. I’m looking for an activity that I can run with them that covers having a business ownership mentality rather than an employee mentality.” Our Answer: I [...]

You Want a Proposal? I’m Sorry, You’ll Have to Wait

Rob Benson — Mon, 16 May 2011 23:02:03 +0000

Someone calls and expresses interest in your work. They would like for you to send them a proposal. How cool is that? So, what do you do? If you’re like most consultants, you jump right on the proposal, of course. You include a lot of information about your credentials, clients with whom you have worked [...]

Executive Coaching: the 8 Elements of a Successful Engagement

Rob Benson — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 01:49:53 +0000

Clients typically seek an Executive Coach when one of their senior executives or one of their “high potentials” has untapped potential, ineffective approaches or a personal roadblock; that is, when one or more facets of how they go about their work are impeding their current success and may stand in the way of future promotion. Typically, the [...]

Video – Performance Coaching, step 2: Ask Questions

Rob Benson — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 00:16:47 +0000

Video: "Welcome to "Around the Cubicle in 120 Seconds." This is Rob Benson, back, we're continuing with our performance coaching tips. Last week, we talked about "Praise Performance." Let's look today at the second phase. Once you've told them that you appreciate some of the work that they are doing, it's time for you to identify your area of concern ..."

Leadership Skill: the Blueprint of a Real Apology

Rob Benson — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 20:29:12 +0000

We all make mistakes. Yes, if you are like me, you’ve made errors in judgement, committed transgressions against your neighbors and, in one way or another, “crossed the line.” When that happens, what do you do? Again, if you’re like me, you may mumble a half-hearted apology, or really try to make amends only to have that conversation [...]

Tips for Emerging Leaders

Rob Benson — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 06:00:40 +0000

Realize that your people skills are going to increasingly be the differentiator in your career; in fact, a study just published in the Harvard Business Review shows (again) that superb people skills are required for entry into the C-suite. Be honest with yourself and seek feedback from a few trusted others about your strengths and opportunities for improvement in this area, then seek out your own development opportunities. Be on the lookout for the "right" mentor, and then engage. Of course, you'll want to find someone in your field who has achieved what you hope to achieve; however, for them to be able to really help you, he or she must have achieved that success in a way that reflects your personal values. Only then are you able to "follow in their footsteps" and remain authentic. Learn the art of Asking Good Questions. Great leaders determine the best course of action based on sound data, not hunches. The better your questions, the better will be your information. Properly used, they also engage others, get past defenses, even win others over to your point of view. Invest in your growth. That WILL involve some form of regular reading of books, newspapers, and industry publications. Simply put, successful leaders are SMARTER, and they get that way by investing the learning time. Depending upon where you are in your career and your personal Opportunities for Improvement, you may benefit from the outside perspective and guidance of an Executive Coach.

“Must-Reads” for Leadership

Rob Benson — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 23:46:09 +0000

We were recently asked what books we would recommend to those in leadership. 2 classics, 2 that you may not expect. I include links to Amazon to ease your finding them (and no, we don't make anything off of this). Here's our short list: Getting to Yes, by Ury and Fischer. The classic on negotiations and conflict resolution. Leadership and Decision Making, by Vroom & Yetton. The DRYEST book ever written, yet it summarizes their seminal research on when and how great leaders actually involve others in decision making. Knowledge which every leader of people truly needs. Good to Great, by Jim Collins. Like the previous book, Good to Great summarizes superb research (but with much better writing style!) that point out the five factors distinguishing those companies that become truly great and maintain that greatness. The Heart of Networking, by Ricky Steele. While not strictly-speaking about leadership, this book by local businessman Ricky Steele is the best treatise on relationship selling (or networking) that I have read. On some level, every leader is selling him or herself and the company (or should be) regularly, which makes these skills ones to know and master. Invest in your own leadership development. Read these, and jump ahead of the curve!