HUMANERGY'S LEADERSHIP BLOG
LEADERSHIP INSIGHTS THAT WORK IN THE REAL WORLD
Explore our library of practical tools, tips, and stories. Drawn from decades of coaching leaders and teams.
Explore Humanergy’s leadership blog for proven tools, strategies, and insights to help leaders and teams thrive.​
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Is bad always stronger than good?
A recent post by Robert Sutton of Stanford University for Harvard Business Review has a provocative title, "Bad is Stronger Than Good: Evidence-Based Advice for Bosses." The title and some of the...
Got simmering frustrations?
My boss never gives me a straight answer. How can I supervise someone who doesn't want to work hard? I shouldn't have to do my peer's job for him. Are simmering frustrations affecting your...
Gratitude is good for you
You saw this one coming, didn't you? We couldn't resist the urge to pause and express thanks to you, our associates, friends, customers and partners in this grand adventure. We are big believers in...
Using plain English to share ideas
Do you ever feel like you're in a strange world where everyone speaks a confusing language? Just attend a meeting at an organization near you. Between the industry-specific jargon and general...
Horseshoes and hand grenades
Leadership requires more than just a good effort. Intensity of effort and high standards for self and others are essential qualities. As a leader, it is your job to model the energy, adaptability...
Lead like Mr. Rogers
In an era of disillusionment with high-flying, big-talking leaders, maybe it's time to find new models. Like Fred Rogers of Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood, a PBS series that was targeted to preschool...
Be strategic
I was working with a group of senior leaders recently when the topic turned to the need to be more strategic. These leaders recognized that as they moved up in the organization, the balance of time...
Interdependence: It’s real
People in organizations like to talk about how "we're all in this together." But when it comes to acting like what happens in IT matters to Customer Service, for example, interdependence is like the...
Giving back
Humanergy is a big supporter of the United Way's annual campaign, which is now underway. We support it organizationally through funding a billboard encouraging people to give generously. We also...
Are you hearing the bad news?
You have a great relationship with the people you supervise and encourage them to come to you with any issues that need your attention. But are you hearing everything you need to hear - especially...
Making decisions under pressure
For some people, making decisions isn't easy. Decision anxiety is on the rise, in part because it's very difficult to grasp all of the ever-changing dynamics of situations. When the stakes are high,...
Leading from the back of the boat?
Anne Berkowitch, co-founder and CEO of SelectMinds, advocates leading from the back of the boat in her interview posted at the New York Times' Corner Office Blog. She notes that the best analogy for...
In defense of Reply All
A recent blog post by Mike Figliuolo called Email Stupidity: Reply All Cuts Both Ways advocated that the Reply All button should be eliminated from email applications. His concerns were around...
Golf school, Take 2
You may remember an earlier post about coaching lessons I learned at golf school in May. I was filled with optimism and sported my new golf clubs with pride, certain I was going to make great...
A team or not a team?
Sophia works as a Sales Associate and is extremely good at her job. She regularly receives maximum bonuses, and is often recognized as her company's top salesperson. Sophia's boss recently told her...
Passionate leadership
You show up every day and work diligently. You strive to exceed expectations. But are you a passionate leader? Passionate leaders love their work and it shows in their attitudes and actions. How do...
Do you have leadership presence?
You recognize it instantly. People with leadership presence exude an aura of command, a confidence that they are in control of themselves and the situation at hand. It's different from charm or...
Winning hearts and minds
Although typically thought of as a military strategy, leaders in other organizations must also win the hearts and minds of their people. The reality is that if you lose your people's hearts and...
You don’t know what you don’t know
"Awareness requires a rupture with the world we take for granted." Shoshana Zuboff High performance leaders recognize the need to constantly improve their organization and its people, and above all,...
Live your legacy
In an age of unemployment and downsizing, many people are thanking their lucky stars that they have a job at all, even if it's more busy and stressful than ever. Few people have the luxury of...
Forgiveness at work
Lena's former boss was a tyrant who bullied his direct reports and rarely expressed any appreciation for their contributions. Although she left that job years ago, Lena still feels anger whenever...