How can you reduce employee churn in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) organizations that costs billions of dollars? Consider leadership finesse. In my last article, I alluded to leadership finesse and how it helps create motivating work environments where STEM-skilled employees thrive and want to stay. In this follow-up article, I expand on STEM organizations [...]
In recent years, news outlets have stressed the importance of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skills. How important are these skills? 75% of the fastest-growing occupations require STEM skills. U.S. employment in STEM fields has gone up more than 30% since 2000. This information is great to hear if you are a STEM advocate [...]
“We are an executive team in name only.” “We are all senior leaders at the same company, we participate in the same meetings, but we do not collaborate well as a unit.” “We have no common objective and struggle with accountability.” In my work, I regularly hear senior leadership at organizations make these comments. If [...]
The victim mindset can affect average and high performers in any organization in any industry. Ultimately, it can impact the bottom line when it is not managed. In part one of this series, I addressed the first form of the victim mindset I have dealt with across 20 industries: the doubtful victim. In this second and final [...]
Have you ever encountered a “victim mindset” in your day-to-day work? Chances are that you have. Whether you find it at the executive or middle-management level, most of us have worked with someone (or possibly multiple people) who personifies this mindset. Your challenge as a leader is figuring out how to handle it. In order [...]
“The timing of the product launch was poor. I told my team it should not be done that month,” stated Brad (the division president). “Brad, don’t you lead that division? Based on what you just said in the last few minutes, there were at least two important factors for the product that were not considered. [...]
As a senior leader, what do you do if a new business line in your organization is not performing up to expectations? How do you avoid shutting it down prematurely or continuing to bet on a losing horse? These are valid questions you may have asked yourself on the way to work, because your responsibilities [...]
“You have to learn to manage up better.” Perhaps someone has said this to you or a colleague. To manage up, you need to be strategic in how you handle work relationships with your boss and individuals higher on the company ladder that possess more power than you. When you manage up with leaders, the [...]
Is strategic thinking important for leaders? When asked this question, most business leaders said "yes." The remaining said generic use of the term has muddied its meaning. Therefore, let me clarify what I mean by strategic thinking as it applies to work. In my experience, individuals who effectively demonstrate this capability: Use a broad “field of [...]
Whether you are a C-suite executive, middle manager or an emerging leader, you will continue to face setbacks. Maybe the company is not performing up to expectations or you are not getting the progress you want from employees on key initiatives. Setbacks can start to take a toll on you. How you do you respond [...]