Questions not to ask your boss sometimes just slip out. We’ve all done it — opened our mouths before our brains engaged and asked our boss a question that undermined our career (or could have). Like the time I asked my boss what motivated him (do you think that’s not a bad question, wait until [...]
Good question. Can a boss be a friend? Have you been told not to be friends with your employees? If I asked, should a boss help his or her direct reports, would your answer be absolutely? However, isn't that what true friendship is, helping and supporting one another? Too often managers are advised not to [...]
Unfortunately, of these top ten outdated phrases I've used at least eight of them this year. I occasionally use phrases, slang, and colloquialisms some of my younger friends and colleagues (okay, they’re all younger than me) either don’t understand, or chuckle at because they’re so two days ago. To help boomers, and others who may [...]
If you’re reading this, you already know employee retention may be the most important and challenging key to the success and survival of your business. If you’re in a leadership or human resources position, it might be the most critical piece to your growth and career. A lot rides on employee retention. And it’s not [...]
How to ask questions for understanding not confirmation is important. I've attended meetings, seminars, and lectures — observed interviews, corrective actions, and employee evaluations — watched video interviews, webinars, and listened to podcasts — and time and time again, I've heard poorly constructed questions with little thought put into them. Too often, questions are asked [...]
So, how to be a terrible boss? What makes me qualified to write about this? Because I was a terrible boss. I was chatting with a friend recently and asked him who he thought made the best counselors. He asked me what I meant, and I said, “You know, like who would make the best [...]
So, how I stopped putting off what I wanted to do was more difficult than I thought it would be. You see, I'm good at doing what I need to do. For example, I publish six blogs a week on four sites, for three organizations, and this one. I'm six weeks or more ahead on [...]
The other day, I couldn't find the remote. I asked my wife if she'd seen it and she replied, "Joe has it." Joe, our eight year old cat? Joe has the remote? OK, at least it wasn't my problem — I didn't misplace it. Joe had it. I wasn't passing the buck. Has Your Cat [...]
Six years ago, shortly before Christmas I visited my oldest daughter (Dr. Daughter if you please—proud dad) and her family in Melbourne, FL. The last night of my visit my then 17-year-old granddaughter was at work. It’s her first job. She’s a server at a sit down fast food restaurant. Her mother and I decided [...]
Every Sunday, I take dad to the grocery store. On the way, we stop by a big-box hardware store to pick up two 5-gallon jugs of water. The emptied returned jugs are supposed to be processed through a shoot, into a bin, followed by a return receipt. This is only in theory. Dad and I [...]
