Precision Leader Development

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A Good Person Is Resigning. Here’s How Not to Burn the Bridge

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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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In Hard Times, Communication Will Save You

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As some of you know, I have started a biweekly podcast in which I chat with leaders from all industries on how they’re tackling the many challenges we face today. Most recently I had the privilege of speaking with Mark Clement, who is the CEO and president of TriHealth, a $2.1 billion healthcare system in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Click here to listen.) This was an important conversation for several reasons. One, healthcare has been one of the hardest-hit industries during…
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Do You Know How to Delegate Effectively?

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Some people may see delegation as simple – handing off an assignment to another person. But it’s not merely a task, it’s a leadership skill. This skill doesn’t just help at work, either. They can help in a community, a church and with family. Delegation is moving action to the best place in the organization. When it’s done well, delegation frees up the manager to focus on other items, it builds depth in the organization…
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