Performance Management

Leadership: The Power (And Trap) Of Non-Verbals

Leaders need to understand non-verbals, and they need to be comfortable and competent in using that information to have a richer conversation. The Birkman method is one reminder/tool I use to help leaders see that what is happening on the outside is not necessarily what is happening on the inside.

read more

An Interview and Book Giveaway with Leadership Expert & Author David Baker

David C. Baker wrote a book to help new managers be successful. In it he shares lots of very practical advice for leading well and learning as you go. Leadership development and talent management (leveraging/developing your people) are part of being a leader, and this book does a nice job showing the practical steps of how a new manager can do it well. Here is my interview with the author and some reflections on the book.

read more

3 Things Leaders Should Ask For More Of In 2012

What should 2012 look like for leaders? If you were going to do one thing that impacts the engagement and energy they have for their work, what would it be? Here are three ideas for helping your people see work differently and get more excited about it (aka: talent management / employee engagement)

read more

trU Tips #16a – One on Ones and Leadership

Talent management is not a form, or a process, but a commitment to a place where everything (or most everything) works. The job is great, people are getting what they need, people are owning their role, and teams are helping each other be successful. It takes great leadership, great followership, and most importantly it takes frequent and very open conversations. The one on one is the critical piece of this, and here is a form to help a one on one work well. The result is great talent management.

read more

My Top Shelf – Books that I love

Everyone has a list of books that are favorites. Here is my list that encompasses leadership development, individual development, self-awareness, friendship, and making a choice to make a difference. Talent management for each of us is about chosing to continue to learn and to know what our foundation of talent, passions, and the rewards that mean the most to us.

read more

Leader/Manager as Culture Builder

Managing Right For The First Time is a book for new and experienced managers to think about what they do and learn how to do the basics right. Building culture is a key task of a leader, and everything they do impacts it. However, there are some big things they could be doing that will make a substantial difference in the culture they create. This is part of a series of posts around a book by David Baker. Culture is a critical piece in the talent development for any team or organization, and it starts with performance management.

read more

A tool to help leaders listen

What does effective leadership look like when you meet one on one with your people? What does good followership look like, and how do you ask the right questions of your leader and share with them what you need so they can lead? Talent management is about great conversations, and here is a template to make that happen.

read more

3 Habits To Help Great Leaders Be Good Managers

Leadership is important, but being able to be an effective manager is also important. Talent management (getting the most out of your people) does not happen without engaging people one on one, getting to know them, listening to what they need, and helping them. Here are 3 habits for any leader to help this to happen.

read more

Why Were You Promoted?

Why were you selected for a new leadership role? Simple question, and yet critical in aligning the right people with a situation and creating an effective transition plan. Based on David Baker’s book, Managing Right – For The First Time, this is a question all leaders should ask, when hiring or being hired. Talent Management is about great conversations, and this question is a cornerstone of a great talent management conversation.

read more

Transformation or Training?

Talent management is too often focused on putting in what was left out. Real change takes energy, and acknowledging that helps the performance evalutation and professional development focus take on more significance. We need to ask up front “Are you ready?” and then the leader needs to ask “How can I help?” Leaders need to remember that their role in talent management is to help define the what and how – – then support in the journey to a new place. Great followership involves making a choice to go to a new place.

read more