Recently, I’ve noticed that sometimes when companies run on EOS®, their leaders view EOS as a system to be followed. Period. This outlook leads to what we call “compliance thinking,” which I can promise you is not the most effective way to...
employee engagement
Matt Jung: Finding a Better Way | Part 3: Culture Guest Blog Series
With their placement on Forbes’ list of the nation’s best small companies for 2018, it’s clear that there is something special going on at Comfort Research. In this interview with co-founder Matt Jung, he describes how they’ve developed a culture that’s felt in everything they do, how they recognize people who live their values, and how this tireless focus on culture has transformed their business.
Mandi Brower: Be Kind | Part 2: Culture Guest Blog Series
Quality Car Wash is a third-generation family business that was started back in 1969. In this interview with COO Mandi Brower, she shares her wisdom and experience around culture and how to intentionally sustain and grow it as a business opens multiple locations. From the very beginning, her grandpa used a simple phrase to guide everyone: “Be kind.” It still provides the foundation to this day.
Jeff Disher: Make a Positive Difference | Part 1: Culture Guest Blog Series
DISHER has been recognized by Fortune magazine as one of the top 5 small company workplaces. In this interview with founder Jeff Disher, he shares insight into how he has cultivated the company culture, and how this powerful culture helped shape DISHER’s success. Part 1 of my guest blog Culture Series.
Exit Interviews – 1 Question Leaders Should Ask
It is expensive to replace great people, so understanding why you lose people is critical for leaders. It is especially important for executive leaders who are far removed from the day to day work, because where there is smoke (turnover) there often is a fire starting (leader not being effective). Here is one powerful question you should make sure you get an answer to whenever someone walks out of your organization voluntarily.
Does Your People Process Include a Stay Interview?
Key people tip – spend your energy talking to your best people before they decide to leave. Sounds like common sense, but it is not common practice. Here are some real tips from an expert, and some additional info to help EOS companies leverage it to work toward 80% in the people component.
3 Questions to Test for Trust
Do your people TRUST you as a leader? Here are three questions to test that by simply asking and listening. The hidden benefit of asking a great question and listening is that it actually builds trust.
Help is Not a 4 Letter Word
How well do you manage change? More directly, how skilled are you at seeking the help of your peers, leaders, and key people when leading a team through a difficult change? Too often leaders treat Help like a four letter word, never to be uttered lest we be punished! Here is a lens to assist leaders in seeing their role in supporting in and dumping out, so that help becomes part of the process of change and healing.
Leadership Wisdom 101: The Power of 2 or 3 or 10 (Part 3 of 3)
What is the impact of being a loner? What is the impact of feeling a part of a community? Data provides the answer, and the message is consistent and powerful for finding friends and building connections in our teams. Here is a sip of data, and 4 things every leader needs to do to drive towards the positive side of community, both personally and with the team they lead.
The Sweet Spot: How to find it for yourself
Seeing plants grow and watching people perform results in the same comment: “Wow, they love it here.” How do you recognize that sweet spot, and more importantly, do you know how to get back there? Here are a few tips to know when you are there, and 3 resources to help identify and find your own sweet spot.
Easy Way, Hard Way
As a parent of infant children, bath time taught me a few leadership lessons. My method of framing the choice of ‘Easy Way’ or ‘Hard Way’ has found its way into my coaching practice and in my own roles as leader, father, and friend. Here are some tips on facing these challenging intersections as a leader and individual.
Leadership Wisdom 101: Developing Your Capacity to Lead Change (Part 2 of 3)
Managers make widgets; leaders make change. Seth Godin said this, and I believe it. It is why change management is one of the key skills we need to develop as leaders. Opportunities to develop these skills are found both in and outside of work. Here are two models that will help you navigate any life change, and a free download to help guide you next time you are faced with a change.