Why You Need to Check for Understanding
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Why You Need to Check for Understanding

It happens all the time: we think we’re being understood, but we’re not. And we have no idea. We often don’t bother to check to make sure people understand us, even when it’s critical. It doesn’t help that most people don’t want to admit they don’t get it, especially to the leader. You may get a nod or even an…

Are You Giving Effective Feedback?
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Are You Giving Effective Feedback?

Because managers and executives struggle with the process, feedback has developed a negative reputation. Feedback doesn’t equal criticism. Feedback is providing someone with observations that influence their performance. Since influence is your number-one job as a leader, it stands to reason that giving feedback is an important part of your role. People want to know how they’re doing, and they want to hear…

How to Lead your Team Through Change
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How to Lead your Team Through Change

In today’s business world, not only is change the norm, but the speed of change continues to accelerate. Dealing with change and leading others through it can be challenging. No matter what business you’re in, your ability to lead your organization through change can make or break your success. Changes come in a variety of ways for a variety of reasons. The…

Strengthen Your Vision by Setting the Context
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Strengthen Your Vision by Setting the Context

As the leader of your organization, you understand the context behind your vision and your decisions. It’s part of the environmental considerations you need to understand. However, not everyone sees the context the same way you do, so it’s important to explain it. To really make your vision come to life, you need to create the whole picture for yourself and for…

Take Time to Express Your Intentions
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Take Time to Express Your Intentions

In any situation, where there’s a vacuum of information, people will make it up. This is especially true of leaders in organizations. People constantly interpret the motives of everything the leader says and does. So it’s best to express your intention, so no one wastes time trying to figure it out or make it up….

Successful Leaders Reinforce the Vision
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Successful Leaders Reinforce the Vision

To keep your team moving in the right direction, you need to reinforce the vision. That doesn’t mean you have to recite it like a parrot; it means getting your team engaged and keeping them engaged. Talk about possibilities in the context of your vision. Celebrate accomplishments in the context of your vision. Have fun…

Executive Leaders Connect with Others
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Executive Leaders Connect with Others

The Wall Street Journal reported that the executives identified as “high achievers” cared about both people and profits. Average achievers focused on production, and low achievers were most concerned about themselves. Building relationships with people can also build success. Plus, having real relationships makes going to work every day far more enjoyable. You don’t have…