3 Ways to Stop Leader Optimism from Ruining Your Team

A key aspect of a leaders job is transmitting a sense of positivity to keep the culture enthusiastic and engaged. No one can argue with that, or can we? Sometimes the happy face is not warranted, and team managers have to temper it by injecting a dose of reality into the mix.

The research now shows clearly that CEO’s are way more optimistic than the average person. In fact 80% are ‘very optimistic’ according to research of over 1,000 sitting CEO’s by… Read the full article >

The NYPD And The Mayor: When Conflict Turns To War

As a lifelong advisor to organizations of all kinds and in varied geographies (including governmental units of the city of New York), my firm and I are often called upon to settle conflicts between people, their management and their co-workers.

Although this is often challenging, once you understand what is at the core of conflict and have a methodology for dealing with it, there is always a solution.

One of the universal keys to success is to address the issues as… Read the full article >

Why Leaders Need To Strive For “Delicious!”

Will 2015 be “Delicious!” for you and your team?

I had a business lunch with a client today. We were eating appetizers when the waitress came over. “Oh here she comes to ask ‘is everything OK?’ I thought.

Instead what she said completely surprised me. She asked, “Is everything delicious?” Her question threw me off balance. I stammered, “Delicious? Why yes it is delicious! Tony is yours delicious?” Tony said, “Yes it is!” “Antoine how about you?” Antoine confirmed we were… Read the full article >

Forget Big Data. Trust Little People

Data is important. And now the experts say Big Data is the answer to all our problems. But when trying to change a culture, a few little people are much more important.

Collecting data is critical to success

It is important to collect data to better understand a culture. It gives the team members a voice. No organizational culture change can be done without the members having had the opportunity to voice their opinions about what’s needed through a survey and/or… Read the full article >

Once You Say “Everything’s Fine”, It’s Not

In todays world of positivity and happiness, I say Go Negative!

Thank you Greg Hayes, the new CEO of United Technologies, for an important lesson on executive negativity, leadership and success. At a recent investor conference he said “I love to point out the negative as we think about next year, just to keep everyone’s expectations in line.” (WSJ Nov 26, Page B2)

What? Focusing on the negative? Today it is en vogue to set positive, optimistic… Read the full article >