In Water The Bamboo, my book on leadership and teamwork, I encourage Bamboo Farmers to create a Bamboo Circle. A Bamboo Circle is made up of interconnected relationships that help a Bamboo Farmer reach their goals.
Leadership Strategies for Dealing with Team Conflict
Conflict is normal and sometimes necessary to progress. Many people view conflict as negative but, in reality, it’s not always a bad thing. In fact, it has the potential to bring mission-critical issues to light. After all, conflict is often the result of misaligned expectations, so dealing with conflict the right way can strengthen team communication and improve culture.
5 Principles for Getting Along with Others
4 Reasons "Fake It 'Til You Make It" Is a Bad Idea for Leaders
It is true that in some instances "fake it 'til you make it" makes sense but most of the time this is a losing strategy for a leader. Fake leaders can be found everywhere and are easy to identify. They give us an uneasy feeling that they shouldn't be trusted. Fake leaders end up losing respect, struggling to gain trust, and failing to create meaningful, lasting relationships.
5 Reasons to Take a Leadership Retreat
Stay More Engaged at Work
A lot of my work with leaders and teams is centered around how to increase and sustain employee engagement. When people first begin their jobs, they are typically fully engaged, but this initial enthusiasm eventually fades into "what's next?" or thinking the bamboo grass is greener on the other side of the fence.
6 Tips for Better Organizational Culture
In my work as a professional speaker and leadership trainer, I've learned a great deal about how strong organizational cultures are created and maintained. One of the biggest roadblocks to an effective organizational culture I see again and again is the mission and values of the organization are misaligned with how decisions are made. Whether it comes in the form of miscommunication or power imbalances, misaligned purpose begets a sub-par organizational culture.
7 Key Ideas for a Leader-Coach
7 Steps to Stronger Communication
Strong communication is the foundation upon which all lasting relationships are built. In the workplace, strong communication leads to more engaged employees, decreased turnover rate, and improved overall performance. But if all these benefits sound great, then why is modern communication so difficult?
7 Rules of Delegation for Leaders
10 Keys to Leadership Assertiveness (Part 2)
10 Keys to Leadership Assertiveness (Part 1)
How to Be a Great Leader When Times Are Tough
7 Tips for Learning as a Leader
As a child, my grandfather encouraged me to learn something new every single day, even if I didn't think it would help me immediately. He also taught me that a continuous curiosity about the world around me was far more important than achieving a high grade or winning someone else's approval. As a result, I'm fiercely passionate about the power of learning both in my own life, and in the lessons I teach others.
7 Ways to Help Your Team Be More Innovative
We all have the ability to devise innovative, world-changing ideas. But without the right place in which to develop and nurture these ideas, they remain nothing more than a far-off dream. If you want to bring your team's most innovative ideas to life, follow these 7 actionable tips for creating an inspiring and encouraging team environment.
7 Mistakes Leaders Make with Their Teams
Are meetings getting in the way of work?
We’ve all been there: Soul sucking meetings with little direction, no clear champion, and no decisions. Brainstorming sessions that result in great ideas but no real deliverables. The "quick chat" that turns into hours. As a leader you must change the way meetings are conducted in your organization, knowing full well that they are a necessary component of communications in today’s environment.
Be More Innovative—Use the "IMAC Method"
The digital age has brought intense disruption and competition to every industry and every profession out there. So, understandably, organizations and teams must be more creative and innovative in order to simply survive… let alone thrive. Over the years, I've had the privilege of working with numerous organizations and leadership teams on ways to increase their innovation and speed to market with their products and services.