Mike’s Blog
This is for everyone who is interested in Leadership, teams, and people.
There are currently 1,652 posts on this site. Narrow the list by searching for topics that are important to you.
Do managers belong in team meetings?
The other day I was asking my opinion about managers attending team meetings. To which I gave my favourite consultant answer: “well … it depends.”
Hire people smarter than you
Why not trust them to do the job you hired them for.
Teams in a fluid environment
Does it make sense to put the energy into forming a team?
Lead them to the top of mountains
When the people you lead confront their fears and doubts, it will bring up your fears and doubts.
Don’t rush through team building
You can’t hurry through team building and get a good outcome.
Don’t confuse your organizational and communication structures
The most effective way for teams to get what they need is to talk to each other directly.
Trust the people over the process
When you trust the people first, you send the message that you trust them to identify problems.
Leadership that barely exists
Look inward for all the validation you need of the impact your leadership is having.
Lead with your observations – not your evaluations
Your leadership is far more powerful when you use observations rather than evaluations.
The impact of apologizing for someone else
When you apologize for someone else, you are blaming them for the problem.
Change is like running a marathon
Give people space to look after themselves. Otherwise, the change you face may happen when they leave you.
Where expectations meet reality
Imagine where they’ll be when improving something every day becomes the new status quo.
Who’s in their way?
Before you look for why your team isn’t delivering, start by looking for how you might be getting in their way.
Are you watching the clock?
"Don't watch the clock; do what it does. Keep going." - Sam Levenson
Try making it about what you can do
If you want to understand how people feel, ask supportive questions like, “What are we doing to help you maintain a work/life balance?”
When your gut feeling is telling you something
When you feel something isn’t working — name what you’re feeling and ask questions, and you’ll find what needs to change.
What to do with ideas you don’t agree with
Don’t dismiss an idea you disagree with, and ask for help so you can understand the idea. You may not come to an agreement, but they will feel respected.
You may not value diversity as much as you think you are
Your biases may be keeping you from valuing diversity as much as you think you are. Why not ask your team for help?
The power of learning
Learning provides far more payback than a focus on doing the work.
Stop trying to predict the future
"The best way to predict the future is to create it." - Peter Drucker
Success means taking risks along the way
"You don't become successful by playing it safe. You have to take risks, step outside of your comfort zone, and be willing to fail." — Larry Wingett
A team’s greatness is directly proportional to its connection
Great things happen when you’re working as a team. What can you do to strengthen the bonds of your team today?
Finding true fulfillment
Breaking free from the chains of external expectations is the key to true happiness and personal fulfillment.
Authenticity Breeds Connection
By embracing your true self, you attract like-minded individuals who appreciate and accept you for who you are rather than a façade you've created to meet someone else's standards.
