The Future of Work – It’s Not All Bad News

Two new views on how to organize workers and give them more opportunities for independent thinking and innovation are summarized in two articles – and these ideas are beginning to change workplaces. Especially as more workers are working at home, the idea of having them operate as “responsible adults” (as one article says) is changing the work of managers. We hope they are listening.

A Close-Up Look at Micro-Management

I didn’t know what a micro-manager really was until I got one of my own. My sympathies to the oppressed. Most work – whether producing products, serving customers and/or delivering communications – requires thought and attention, and is best with an occasional dose of creativity and innovation. A micro-manager can quash all that by dictating every move. If you think you might be suppressing your people this way, have a talk with them to find out what changes they would like to see.

The Leadership Challenge… Again.

Competent leadership: a personality trail or a practical communication skill? Perhaps a mix of both. It comes with a caution, though.

All Ears: The Importance of Listening in Organization Change

Here’s a nice little article on management communication in times of organization change – an important skill to develop, whether the change is small or large, simple or complex. Put this to work!

Some Advice from an Effective Change Agent

Sometimes our communication gets a little sloppy, leaving others with a vague or inconclusive answer. We can fix that, and perhaps help others step up too. Be a stronger leader.

The Management vs. Leadership Debate

It’s time to stop the “leaders are special people” conversation and pay attention to what is actually happening throughout the hierarchy of organizations. Putting a halo on the people at the very top, or on people of certain “types” or “styles” is not useful. Management is necessary and valuable, and managers are worth hearing, honoring and supporting.

Feeling and Thinking Happen Inside Us.  Communication Happens Between Us.

There is some connection between the world of our feelings and thoughts and the world of our actions and communications, but we don’t know much about what it is. Still, if you practice acting and communicating, and listen openly others, you can discover “how you come across”.

Where Does Forgiveness Fit into Leadership?

Completing all aspects of a workplace problem or upset, especially when it involves several people or workplace activity, can be immediately important. Forgiveness can save the day, but not without closing out the original trigger for the issue. Fix it, then forgive it.

The Manager-Staff Gap – And an Idea for Updating the Performance Review

Managers see their world of work in a very different way than staff members do. What does this tell us about how to improve Manager-Staff communication? The performance review is a good tool that can support a more effective Staff-Manager relationship.