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One simple way to improve organizational culture and leadership effectiveness is through gratitude. An expression of gratitude does two powerful things: First, it helps the recipient feel appreciated, recognized, and valued. When someone feels this way, it makes it easier for them to work hard and it increases their desire to do good work.  Second, gratitude softens the heart of the giver and endears them to the person to whom they are expressing appreciation. It helps them see those around them as people and as contributors to their personal success. One simple way to share gratitude is by [...]

Today my thought is simple. Keep score! Too many people work in the dark. They don’t know if their team is doing a good job or not. They don’t know if their team is winning. And this can lead to unproductive stress and anxiety, and even apathy and lethargy. The best leaders I know and the organizations with the strongest cultures don’t allow for ambiguity around results including progress towards them. Rather, they provide clear collective goals and then track them consistently. Doing this helps everyone stay aligned and focused on what matters most. It helps improve results. [...]

I love Mondays—and most days of the week—but Mondays are my favorite!  The reason? I choose to love Mondays!  Unfortunately, too many people I know despise Mondays. They associate Mondays with more work, sweat, grind, and a lack of freedom. They say Mondays rob them of their fun and relaxation.  I say Mondays are energizing, full of potential, and an opportunity to do great things. To me, Monday is a new beginning and a fresh start. A chance to improve, reach my goals and make a significant impact on the world. So who is right? Of course, we [...]

What are your expectations for those you lead? Is the potential you see in them made clear? Too many people feel unsure of what their leader expects of them at work. And too many leaders feel frustrated by the lack of progress being made by their team. Could there be a correlation?  People normally don’t lack capacity or potential to do good work. What they do lack is a leader who communicates clearly that they expect great things from them and that they believe in them.  A leader should strive to be a person who shines a light [...]

Does it feel like your team may be lacking motivation?This is a common concern I hear from leaders—that they can’t seem to get their team motivated.So what is a leader to do?Recently an executive I was working with set a goal for his team to achieve a special designation that exemplified excellence in their industry. He knew it would require hard work from his entire team to achieve it, but he was certain it would really help their business grow. Soon after he shared the goal, he quickly noticed a lack of enthusiasm around achieving it. Feeling frustrated he [...]

A good boss is the one who allows people to bring their dreams to work. A great boss is the one who actively encourages them to do so. Let me explain.   Imagine you have a great idea. One you are certain will have a big impact on your organization and team. You’ve spent time envisioning how to accomplish it and how things will look once you do. Though you don’t have all the details ironed out yet, you are really excited about the prospects. Now imagine you share this idea with your boss. You feel certain she will [...]