On social media, an influencer is someone who has built expertise in a given area and generates enthusiastic followers—that same definition works in business except that you want those followers to show leadership of their own, rather than merely following. Influence is independent of title, whether team leader or CEO or Chair of the Board.…

Jane wants to quit her job. She worries about supporting her family if she does. Will another company pay her as well? She wonders if she will fall into another untenable position in her next job. What will friends think of her if she quits? How can she leave the team she has hired and…

Every relationship goes through phases, and the mentor/mentee relationship is no exception. According to research in the Academy of Management Journal, those phases are initiation, cultivation, separation, and redefinition. Initiation is the “honeymoon” phase; both mentor and mentee envision the best possible outcomes and give the best possible interpretation to every interaction. During cultivation, the…

Coaching and mentoring, although often used as synonyms, differ greatly. One basic difference is the existence of certifications for coaches, testifying to their skills in helping individuals move ahead from whatever is blocking them from change and success in their personal or professional life. Mentors are considered experts with extensive experience in particular skills that…

Most of us avoid difficult conversations the way we avoid unpleasant situations and difficult people. Yet often the three are connected: the conversation is difficult because the situation or the person involved is difficult. Handling a difficult conversation begins with preparation and knowing exactly what you are dealing with, then moves on to finding a…

An article in Harvard Business Review points out that great group communications depend on the quality, not the quantity, of group meetings. Poor meetings undermine productivity, creative thinking, and—for a staggering 62% of those interviewed—they end up destroying opportunities to bring the team closer. Great group communications are marked by: A clear reason and purpose…

Because we have become so accustomed to communicating through electronic devices, we sometimes forget that digital marketing, email, text messaging, and social media all involve writing. From a few words on social media posts to a soap-box diatribe in an email, our written communication directly moves the perceived needle on our reputation, professionalism, influencer status,…

 “Remember not only to say the right thing in the right place, but far more difficult still, to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.” ~ Benjamin Franklin When we speak to other people we assume they hear what we are saying. But often, our words are communicating one thing and our facial…

As a leader, you give feedback to your team and receive feedback from your boss and, hopefully, from your team. Face-to-face communication is the best way to deliver and receive feedback, as it gives both parties a chance to speak at the moment, rather than letting possible questions, resentments, or misunderstandings linger and build. You…

Organizational decisions differ from personal decision-making for the following reasons: Decisions may be delegated. Furthering the interests of the organization, often without considering individual interests, is the primary goal. Reactions of those making or affected by the decision have no bearing on the decisions being made. Decisions are largely made to support company values, alter…