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Precision Leader Development

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Do You Filter Out the Positives?

Quint Studer
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Part One of a Two-Part Column A question I get asked often, particularly by less-experienced managers, is, “What’s the number-one piece of advice you have for people new to leadership?” My answer is, “Always be kind to yourself.” I’m not sure I would have said that years ago. Maybe it’s age. Maybe it’s experience. Maybe it’s life lessons. Whatever the reason, it’s the first message I give these days. Recently I received a phone call from…
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Do You Have a Culture of Optionality?

Quint Studer
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What is a culture of optionality? How do you know if you have one? The answer lies in the definition of optional. When something is optional, one can choose to do it…or not. When a company finds itself not getting the outcomes we want over time, it may be that a culture of optionality has developed. At times, the leader of an organization may decide to add a new tactic or make a change due…
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A Good Person Is Resigning. Here’s How Not to Burn the Bridge

Quint Studer
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If you are in management, you have probably experienced this scenario: One of your best employees asks to meet with you and informs you that they have accepted an offer from another employer and are resigning. How do you respond? Most likely your response is based on your relationship with the person and their performance. If they are a solid performer and you wish they would stay, what if you said to them, “If your…
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Investing in Human Capital Calls for a “Precision” Approach

Quint Studer
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Every organization invests in capital. Capital most often means things like building items, equipment, technology, etc. At budget time, a request goes out asking people what they see as their capital needs. Usually, more dollars are requested than are available. Then comes the process of prioritizing requests. Why is capital investment so important? Having the needed equipment, technology, and workspace is essential to achieving a company’s goals. They are important in creating a good place to…
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Six Reflections on Learning, Living, and Keeping Things in Perspective

Quint Studer
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Each week now for several years I have written this column. I normally take one or two topics to address. This column will be different. It is a mix of thoughts, sayings, and/or advice that I have found and still find helpful. I hope you find these helpful. When the student is ready, the teacher appears. I was never a good student in school or a good student of life. At 31, something clicked. An…
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Making Job Change Easier: Insights on Leaving, Letting Go, and Keeping the Door Open

Quint Studer
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The Great Resignation is still going on, and many individuals and business owners are dealing with job change. Whether one is thinking of leaving a job or is a leader dealing with the loss of a good employee, these are often complicated, emotional issues. It can be hard to know what to do. This past week I experienced three situations that involved career decisions. While they were all different, they were also similar in some…
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When we “show up” the right way, great things happen.

Quint Studer
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How we “show up” at work matters. It matters for everyone, but especially for leaders as we are in a position to influence so many others. Are we fully present and engaged…or distracted? Are we calm, centered, and focused…or scattered? Positive and optimistic…or skeptical? Open and accessible…or unapproachable? Energized and ready to work…or passive? As leaders, everything we do and say is amplified. Our words and actions have a tremendous impact on the daily experience…
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Effort Is Great-But Results Are What REALLY Matter.

Quint Studer
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My writings are based on experiences, either my own or those I hear about from others. Today I’d like to write about that ability one achieves to be able to not confuse effort with results. Yes, I admire effort. Yes, effort often leads to results. Effort can be a very good thing. However, it is possible to put forth a lot of effort and still fall short on the desired outcome. This does not mean…
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It’s a Tough Time for Middle Managers. Here’s How to Make Their Lives Easier.

Quint Studer
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All jobs have their good points and their moments of challenge. To me, one of the most challenging roles of all is done by those who work in middle management. A middle manager is not in the senior role and not in the hourly role. They are sandwiched in between and are expected to meet the needs of both groups. As discussed in this column a few years ago, the best organizations tend to be…
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It’s Time to Bring Back Accountability. Here’s How.

Quint Studer
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When can we start holding people accountable again? This is a question I frequently receive. It does not mean that there is no accountability. What it does mean is that due to staff shortages, leaders are tending to lower the bar on expectations and accountability. It makes sense. If there are not enough staff to provide service, the business may need to reduce hours. This can lead to not having enough revenue to keep the doors…
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