Business Management Consulting Blog

Dola’s Lesson on Leadership: Get Flexible

A true leader can influence people’s behavior. They do this by flexing – or adapting – their leadership style in a way that meets the needs of the people around them – individuals or teams.  Adaptable leadership is a subtle, sophisticated skill that can have a tremendous impact. Personal Power Vs. Position Power What exactly… Continue reading Dola’s Lesson on Leadership: Get Flexible

Affirmation: Thanks for Your Contribution

Good job. Nice work. Affirmation is the least used, yet most powerful, motivating tool we have. It only takes a moment to thank and appreciate a contribution from a colleague. Yet, sadly, we often don’t take the time to do it. In survey after survey in companies across America, fewer than 30% of employees characterize… Continue reading Affirmation: Thanks for Your Contribution

Do You Hear Me?

Listening well is the essential first step to effective communication. If we truly hear what others are saying, we are communicating effectively and connecting to those around us. How many times have we thought we communicated effectively with someone, only to find out they didn’t hear a word we said? We might think we’ve communicated… Continue reading Do You Hear Me?

Leadership Skills: Random vs. Purposeful

Most of us learn to lead in a very random fashion. We learn from the people around us in our careers, and we generally have little or no control over the great majority of people we are exposed to in our work. If we are lucky enough to work with strong, effective leaders, we learn… Continue reading Leadership Skills: Random vs. Purposeful

Control? Meet Freak

Control is a particularly insidious form of HeadTrash that we’ve all encountered. Whether it’s the rigid rules our parents imposed on us, a spouse’s insistence that they alone manage the household finances, or a micromanaging boss, being subject to another person’s controlling behavior breeds resentment and conflict. No wonder the word “control” is often linked… Continue reading Control? Meet Freak

Paranoia: Destroyer of Trust

Sometimes in life you discover that you were left out of a meeting or event with friends, loved ones, or co-workers. If you’re like most of us, you might briefly wonder why you weren’t included, but then quickly dismiss it from your mind. But, if you’re not careful, a reasonable reaction to a random event… Continue reading Paranoia: Destroyer of Trust