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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Ways to celebrate daily success
Friday evenings are wonderful. We're usually taking a breather after a hectic week. We're enjoying a little time with friends and families. And for those of us lucky enough to be associated with...
Managing multiple styles at work
Your team is made up of hard-working, intelligent people. But that's where the similarities end. Stan needs to think out loud, so he regularly gathers teammates to brainstorm ideas. Ivana prefers to...
Someone driving you crazy?
Your co-worker is driving you nuts. You've tried subtle hints, but those haven't worked. You know venting to coworkers is bad and makes you part of the problem. (Don't you remember that from our...
To vent or not to vent
My boss is a controlling jerk. The project manager is an idiot. My assistant can't think his way out of a paper bag. Venting about work seems to be on the rise. Maybe it's because we're afraid to...
Go ahead, stir up some conflict
Things are chugging along at ABC Corporation. Profits are up, and everyone seems content. In fact, you can't remember the last time one of your leaders had a serious disagreement with another. As...
Are you a problem finder?
Problem finders have gotten a bad rap. Maybe we assume that someone who points out problems is paranoid, looking to get others in trouble or just a pain in the butt. When is unearthing difficulties...
Deliver a precise and powerful message
The manager's presentation has begun, and you're anxious to hear what he has to say. The sales results for most markets are disappointing. There may be a number of reasons for this. Our biggest...
Embrace the unexpected
Do you like surprises? Only the good ones, right? Plenty of leaders hate the unexpected, unless it involves windfall profits. (One was recently overheard joking, "I like surprises. I just want to...
Why praise employees?
Grow up. Do your job. Don't expect to hear about it when things go well. I pay you to do a good job. These words may sound a bit harsh. But they reflect the attitudes of some leaders who wonder why...
How crowded is your brain?
You're doing a high-stakes presentation and need to be articulate and compelling. In a perfect world, you'd have a laser-like focus on the task at hand. In the real world, you're working hard to...
Realistic optimism
The glass is half full. Or maybe not. Business Week recently profiled a new book by Barbara Ehrenreich titled Bright-Sided: How the Relentless Promotion of Positive Thinking Has Undermined America....
Make the best of a bad situation
Your boss is a tyrant. The team is dysfunctional. Other departments are uncooperative. Customers are rude and demanding. Any of this sound familiar? It is true that life can be hard, and sometimes...
Judgment: What is it?
Judgment is a quality that can be difficult to define precisely, but we certainly recognize when it isn't present. The fallout of bad judgment has been front-page news during this year of economic...
Top 10 reasons you don’t show courage
The Business Journal's blog recently quoted Dr. Martin Groder: "In business and personal life, to create true integrity and lasting effectiveness you need to develop the courage to move towards the...
Enjoying change
We're constantly being told that we should embrace change, even love it. But constant change can be unnerving and stressful. It reminds us of a bumper sticker that reads "Every time I find the...
Love diversity?
It would be hard to find someone who'd argue that diversity in organizations is not valuable. Diverse experiences, cultures, skills and perspectives make the workplace dynamic, creative and...
Motivating staff during challenging times
How do you keep employees motivated when times are troubled? If your go-to motivation strategy is a bonus or pay raise, you may be in trouble. What are other techniques that are even more powerful...
Pride and humility in leadership
Masterful leaders achieve a balance in seemingly opposing traits. Take pride and humility, for example. On the surface, it might seem that pride is the ticket to an ego trip. Conversely, too much...
Ruthless time management
How many times have you said, "There is not enough time in the day?" Let's face facts. No one is going to upset the space-time continuum and give you that extra hour you're hoping for. Stop moaning...
Do you have leadership blind spots?
Ever read something and cringe? The Business Week article titled Discover Your Leadership Blind Spots struck a nerve because some of the examples sounded awfully familiar. While we'd like to think...
Confidence with vulnerability
"Never let 'em see you sweat." Is that your mantra as a leader? While it's perfectly fine to show confidence, strength and knowledge, it's also necessary to show your human frailties. Why? Because...