I have rules. You have rules. Teams have rules. Rules trip up both individuals and teams causing unintended consequences. We learn rules about such things as what we can do, what we can question, and what we can say. A rule dictates behavior. But when transformed into a guide, it enables you to choose appropriate behavior. Let's explore … [Read more...]
Stop that Mole Now
Do you have a mole undermining the work of your team? Someone who constantly complains privately to any teammate who will listen but refuses to bring that same complaint publicly to the team? Someone whose actions are destroying teamwork? A mole erodes productivity. Stop that mole now. A team is like a garden. A good gardener manages pests … [Read more...]
Organizing the Team
Workshop When you are a member of team, what hopes do you have for productivity? My hope is for synergy, by which I mean team productivity that is clearly superior to what the sum of the individual members' productivity might have been working separately. Productive teamwork -- that's the desire. But how do you organize the team to achieve … [Read more...]
Safer Conversations with Management
You have what you believe is an important thought to share with management. You're concerned though that management may dislike your message. How do you assess how safe it is to share your thought with management? It's certainly perilous if management regularly scowls, aims their finger at you and fires words such as: "You have no right to … [Read more...]
The Art of the Discovery Interview
"What?" raced through Janet's head as she read the email. "Now that's a surprise." The message was from Jack Johnson, vice president of development. It said she would receive a meeting request from Rajan Alak, an outside consultant, to interview her about the problems with the new system. The message went on to say the company had made a … [Read more...]