Today was a day where nothing really went to plan, which is why I’m writing this post ten minutes before bed rather than just before lunch as I typically try to. Not one thing on my to-do list was done. Not one meeting went the way I’d hoped it would. Things I thought I understood…… Continue reading The first 100 days
Tag: management
They’ll tell you
I was fretting a few weeks ago about how to evaluate a staff member with whom I’d never worked, but about whom I’d heard an awful lot. It’s a challenge to step into a new environment as a blank slate — everyone wants to scribble on you. I trusted the background information I was receiving,…… Continue reading They’ll tell you
Being well-liked doesn’t count
It’s tempting, when managing a group (or even just one individual) to water down criticism or advice in the interest of being likable. Tempting, and very human. Who doesn’t want to be liked? The trouble is that sparing an individual from critique, while it seems friendly, is one of the worst things you can do…… Continue reading Being well-liked doesn’t count
Panning for Gold
Zig Ziglar, in one of his talks, loosely quotes Andrew Carnegie’s philosophy about developing executives. The quote in full is: Men are developed the same way gold is mined. When gold is mined, several tons of dirt must be moved to get an ounce of gold; but one doesn’t go into the mine looking for…… Continue reading Panning for Gold