http://artpetty.com Leadership, Management and Professional Development Tue, 22 May 2012 11:58:03 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 copyright by Art Petty, 2011 art.petty@artpetty.com (Art Petty) art.petty@artpetty.com (Art Petty) 1440 http://artpetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Lcpodcast144x144.png http://artpetty.com 144 144 http://artpetty.com/feed/podcast Leadership Caffeine Podcast Host Art Petty interviews leaders, leadership authors, management thinkers and other professionals about creating high performance teams and organizations and developing effective leaders at all levels, during this weekly program. The goal is to share practical, powerful ideas to help listeners improve their performance and the performance of their teams and organizations. Caffene, Ldrshp, Profesional, Dev, Ledership, Ldrshp, Caffeine, Proff'l, Dev Art Petty Art Petty art.petty@artpetty.com no no http://artpetty.com/2012/05/22/new-leader-tuesday-beware-under-or-over-managing/ http://artpetty.com/2012/05/22/new-leader-tuesday-beware-under-or-over-managing/#comments Tue, 22 May 2012 11:54:50 +0000 Art Petty http://artpetty.com/?p=7714 The first year of your first job responsible for others (supervisor, lead, manager) is the early-awkward phase. Your technical or functional expertise and someone’s perception of your potential for leadership got you here. Your as of yet undeveloped or at least under-developed communication and coordination skills are what will carry you forward. Here are 5 suggestions to help you get this right.

]]> http://artpetty.com/2012/05/22/new-leader-tuesday-beware-under-or-over-managing/feed/ 0 http://artpetty.com/2012/05/20/just-one-thing-services-are-performances/ http://artpetty.com/2012/05/20/just-one-thing-services-are-performances/#comments Sun, 20 May 2012 22:57:11 +0000 Art Petty http://artpetty.com/?p=7700 Few things evoke as much negative emotion in otherwise kind and gentle souls as a bad experience as a customer. Focus in your mind on your last really bad customer service experience and you can sense the tension in your neck growing along with the rise in blood pressure. That bad experience becomes “the company” for us. What do your team's performances say about you as a leader and about your firm?

]]> http://artpetty.com/2012/05/20/just-one-thing-services-are-performances/feed/ 6 http://artpetty.com/2012/05/14/just-one-thing-vary-your-routine-for-a-change/ http://artpetty.com/2012/05/14/just-one-thing-vary-your-routine-for-a-change/#comments Mon, 14 May 2012 14:23:19 +0000 Art Petty http://artpetty.com/?p=7660 Routines are comfortable..and at the risk of being redundant, habit forming. Eventually, routines become mind numbing. Here are five ideas to help jump-start your thoughts on breaking the routine:

]]> http://artpetty.com/2012/05/14/just-one-thing-vary-your-routine-for-a-change/feed/ 2 http://artpetty.com/2012/05/03/moving-forward-on-what-matters/ http://artpetty.com/2012/05/03/moving-forward-on-what-matters/#comments Thu, 03 May 2012 14:37:28 +0000 Art Petty http://artpetty.com/?p=7549 Whether professional or personal, it seems that most of us carry around ideas and dreams that inspire us and give us hope for our future. Unfortunately, many of us don't do much more than think about those dreams as they age and then spoil in our mental cellars. Here are 6 slightly different ideas to help you get going on pursuing yours:

]]> http://artpetty.com/2012/05/03/moving-forward-on-what-matters/feed/ 12 http://artpetty.com/2012/04/30/dont-get-blindsided-by-organizational-politics/ http://artpetty.com/2012/04/30/dont-get-blindsided-by-organizational-politics/#comments Mon, 30 Apr 2012 15:45:05 +0000 Art Petty http://artpetty.com/?p=7536 For all of us, ignoring this very real human behavior that manifests itself as organizational politics, is a sure-fire way to end up at best on the fringe of irrelevance, and at worst, to end up outside, wondering what happened. Here are 7 ideas you can apply to "play politics" and maintain your integrity:

]]> http://artpetty.com/2012/04/30/dont-get-blindsided-by-organizational-politics/feed/ 2 http://artpetty.com/2012/04/24/leadership-caffeine-listen-with-intent/ http://artpetty.com/2012/04/24/leadership-caffeine-listen-with-intent/#comments Tue, 24 Apr 2012 13:54:38 +0000 Art Petty http://artpetty.com/?p=7503 Yesterday, a valued colleague described a fascinating professional interaction and used the phrase, “listening with intent.”While I imagine it is something on the level of “seek first to understand,” the phrasing works for me. It connotes a significant and deep personal investment in focusing on another human…something lacking from most of our interchanges in life and in the workplace.

]]> http://artpetty.com/2012/04/24/leadership-caffeine-listen-with-intent/feed/ 6 http://artpetty.com/2012/04/19/professional-courtesy/ http://artpetty.com/2012/04/19/professional-courtesy/#comments Thu, 19 Apr 2012 14:05:41 +0000 Art Petty http://artpetty.com/?p=7491 The issue of professional courtesy (or seeming lack thereof) came up at a recent networking group meeting. With permission, I’m sharing the spontaneous suggestion list we generated, including ideas for live and social media settings. Please add to the list and let’s all strive to put these into practice in real-time. At Least 15 Ideas to Help Bring Professional Courtesy Back:

]]> http://artpetty.com/2012/04/19/professional-courtesy/feed/ 8 http://artpetty.com/2012/04/17/the-cruel-bitter-and-crushing-taste-of-dump-truck-feedback/ http://artpetty.com/2012/04/17/the-cruel-bitter-and-crushing-taste-of-dump-truck-feedback/#comments Tue, 17 Apr 2012 13:24:27 +0000 Art Petty http://artpetty.com/?p=7481 Right after avoiding it, the most commonly employed managerial strategy for dealing with feedback is, delaying it. The first approach is poor form… the latter approach is cruel.

]]> http://artpetty.com/2012/04/17/the-cruel-bitter-and-crushing-taste-of-dump-truck-feedback/feed/ 7 http://artpetty.com/2012/04/02/leadership-caffeine-why-you-might-want-to-pause-before-voicing-that-decision/ http://artpetty.com/2012/04/02/leadership-caffeine-why-you-might-want-to-pause-before-voicing-that-decision/#comments Mon, 02 Apr 2012 13:46:27 +0000 Art Petty http://artpetty.com/?p=7404 Teaching others to employ effective decision-making processes is one of the most important and often ignored responsibilities of those in leadership roles. Unfortunately, training your team to look to you for the calls on how to fix problems and move forward is much easier than teaching your team members to stand on their own for most issues.

]]> http://artpetty.com/2012/04/02/leadership-caffeine-why-you-might-want-to-pause-before-voicing-that-decision/feed/ 2 http://artpetty.com/2012/03/26/leadership-caffeine-6-reasons-why-you-should-pass-on-the-happy-hour-invite/ http://artpetty.com/2012/03/26/leadership-caffeine-6-reasons-why-you-should-pass-on-the-happy-hour-invite/#comments Mon, 26 Mar 2012 14:47:25 +0000 Art Petty http://artpetty.com/?p=7305 Just say “No” to the post-work invite from the team for the beer. While you’ll feel torn because you enjoy social time as much as the next person, pay attention to that little voice in your mind trying to get your attention with, “You shouldn’t, you’re the boss.” No moralizing here. I’ve simply known too many who shut this voice out and paid with their credibility and on a few occasions, their jobs. Not convinced? Here are 6 reasons why I believe you should pass on the post-work happy hour invite:

]]> http://artpetty.com/2012/03/26/leadership-caffeine-6-reasons-why-you-should-pass-on-the-happy-hour-invite/feed/ 32 http://artpetty.com/2012/03/08/7-reasons-to-be-excited-about-the-potential-of-your-youngest-workers/ http://artpetty.com/2012/03/08/7-reasons-to-be-excited-about-the-potential-of-your-youngest-workers/#comments Thu, 08 Mar 2012 14:39:23 +0000 Art Petty http://artpetty.com/?p=7260 It’s easy for those of us who count our career in decades to discount how well attuned our youngest workers are to what defines good leadership and good business practices. To do so, is a mistake. Here are 7 reasons why you should work harder to leverage the potential of your youngest workers:

]]> http://artpetty.com/2012/03/08/7-reasons-to-be-excited-about-the-potential-of-your-youngest-workers/feed/ 0 http://artpetty.com/2012/02/17/friday-leadership-and-management-sound-bites/ http://artpetty.com/2012/02/17/friday-leadership-and-management-sound-bites/#comments Fri, 17 Feb 2012 15:15:15 +0000 Art Petty http://artpetty.com/?p=7196 Though-provoking quotes from my current management and leadership reading stack. If you are looking for some thought-provoking leadership and management reading, here are a few great choices:

]]> http://artpetty.com/2012/02/17/friday-leadership-and-management-sound-bites/feed/ 1 http://artpetty.com/2012/02/15/beware-professional-performance-drift/ http://artpetty.com/2012/02/15/beware-professional-performance-drift/#comments Wed, 15 Feb 2012 15:49:55 +0000 Art Petty http://artpetty.com/?p=7181 The concept of performance drift (for professionals) is wonderfully outlined by John Hamm, writing in his recently published book, Unusually Excellent: The Nine Skills Required for the Practice of Great Leadership. Here are my added thoughts on helping you recognize and slow your own professional performance drift:

]]> http://artpetty.com/2012/02/15/beware-professional-performance-drift/feed/ 1 http://artpetty.com/2012/02/11/newsletter-2-next-week-arts-writings-last-week/ http://artpetty.com/2012/02/11/newsletter-2-next-week-arts-writings-last-week/#comments Sat, 11 Feb 2012 17:32:46 +0000 Art Petty http://artpetty.com/?p=7160 Look for the latest issue of the Leadership Caffeine Newsletter (subscriber only content) next week. And in case you missed it, here are links to Art's posts on decision-making, strategy and career survival from last week. Enjoy your weekend!

]]> http://artpetty.com/2012/02/11/newsletter-2-next-week-arts-writings-last-week/feed/ 0 http://artpetty.com/2012/02/10/weekend-career-focus-invest-in-your-professional-survival-skills/ http://artpetty.com/2012/02/10/weekend-career-focus-invest-in-your-professional-survival-skills/#comments Fri, 10 Feb 2012 21:33:31 +0000 Art Petty http://artpetty.com/?p=7134 Too many people are caught seemingly by surprise (for some odd reason) that all bets are off on promises of on-going employment

]]> http://artpetty.com/2012/02/10/weekend-career-focus-invest-in-your-professional-survival-skills/feed/ 0 http://artpetty.com/2012/02/02/leadership-caffeine-at-information-management-and-new-newsletter-resource/ http://artpetty.com/2012/02/02/leadership-caffeine-at-information-management-and-new-newsletter-resource/#comments Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:10:49 +0000 Art Petty http://artpetty.com/?p=7001 Two news items here at Management Excellence: First, as of February 1, 2012, the good folks at Information Management are kindly syndicating selected posts from my blog at their resource rich website: info-mgmt.com under my name and the Leadership Caffeine label. And second, I'm pleased to announce the launch of a new resource to support your professional development...the Leadership Caffeine Newsletter.

]]> http://artpetty.com/2012/02/02/leadership-caffeine-at-information-management-and-new-newsletter-resource/feed/ 0 http://artpetty.com/2012/01/20/the-heavy-lifting-of-career-re-invention-5-keys-to-moving-forward/ http://artpetty.com/2012/01/20/the-heavy-lifting-of-career-re-invention-5-keys-to-moving-forward/#comments Fri, 20 Jan 2012 16:02:52 +0000 Art Petty http://artpetty.com/?p=6930 Whether you are a few years removed from college or a few years removed from that time when prior generations began thinking about retiring, chances are, you or someone you know is involved in defining or redefining their career. It’s a daunting task in a world where the old rules no longer apply. Here are 5 key areas for you to focus on as you move forward with this challenging work:

]]> http://artpetty.com/2012/01/20/the-heavy-lifting-of-career-re-invention-5-keys-to-moving-forward/feed/ 8 http://artpetty.com/2012/01/16/leadership-caffeine-success-one-step-at-a-time/ http://artpetty.com/2012/01/16/leadership-caffeine-success-one-step-at-a-time/#comments Mon, 16 Jan 2012 13:45:41 +0000 Art Petty http://artpetty.com/?p=6916 Too many people fail to overcome resistance and start moving forward. Instead of heeding Drucker’s advice, fear rents space in their minds, creating a never-ending litany of excuses that help ensure that their feet remain firmly planted in place.

]]> http://artpetty.com/2012/01/16/leadership-caffeine-success-one-step-at-a-time/feed/ 4 http://artpetty.com/2012/01/04/are-you-running-in-place-when-it-comes-to-your-professional-development/ http://artpetty.com/2012/01/04/are-you-running-in-place-when-it-comes-to-your-professional-development/#comments Wed, 04 Jan 2012 20:35:40 +0000 Art Petty http://artpetty.com/?p=6895 Unlike the resolutions that so many of us make in January and discard just as quickly by February, our own professional development requires a deliberate and consistent effort to improve. Here are 7 ideas to help you stop running in place and start moving forward.

]]> http://artpetty.com/2012/01/04/are-you-running-in-place-when-it-comes-to-your-professional-development/feed/ 3 http://artpetty.com/2011/12/31/thoughts-on-your-personal-and-professional-success-in-the-new-year/ http://artpetty.com/2011/12/31/thoughts-on-your-personal-and-professional-success-in-the-new-year/#comments Sat, 31 Dec 2011 18:02:48 +0000 Art Petty http://artpetty.com/?p=6877 I was truly gifted in 2011 to gain access to and work with and support some remarkable professionals across a number of different market segments…from high tech to professional services to manufacturing, and I learned something with every engagement and encounter. Here are Six Lessons Learned that Can Help Us All in the New Year:

]]> http://artpetty.com/2011/12/31/thoughts-on-your-personal-and-professional-success-in-the-new-year/feed/ 0 http://artpetty.com/2011/12/30/best-of-management-excellence-trying-not-to-fail-is-not-the-same-as-striving-for-success/ http://artpetty.com/2011/12/30/best-of-management-excellence-trying-not-to-fail-is-not-the-same-as-striving-for-success/#comments Fri, 30 Dec 2011 15:59:54 +0000 Art Petty http://artpetty.com/?p=6867 When we focus on not failing, fear rents most of the space in our mind, and we see monsters in need of slaying everywhere we turn. We lose track of the original vision that propelled our actions, and the sheer act of working becomes at best a passionless exercise and at worst, drudgery. Here are some thoughts as you head into the new year on rediscovering your sense of purpose in the workplace.

]]> http://artpetty.com/2011/12/30/best-of-management-excellence-trying-not-to-fail-is-not-the-same-as-striving-for-success/feed/ 1 http://artpetty.com/2011/12/29/best-of-management-excellence-an-effective-leaders-resolutions-are-calendar-blind/ http://artpetty.com/2011/12/29/best-of-management-excellence-an-effective-leaders-resolutions-are-calendar-blind/#comments Thu, 29 Dec 2011 16:43:24 +0000 Art Petty http://artpetty.com/?p=6860 I’m as guilty as the next person of finding the impending resetting of the calendar a cathartic cleansing, where the failures of the past year are suddenly washed away and replaced by the empty and unknown space filled with promise and time stretching out in front of us. There is something remarkably powerful and alluring about the chance to start-over, right wrongs and vow to do things right the next time around. Resolutions start out as good intentions early in a new year and often end up as regrets later. As a leader, you cannot afford to fall victim to the boom and bust cycle of annual resolutions. Here are eight key questions to resolve about your own leadership practices.

]]> http://artpetty.com/2011/12/29/best-of-management-excellence-an-effective-leaders-resolutions-are-calendar-blind/feed/ 0 http://artpetty.com/2011/10/23/arts-weekly-leadership-message-step-up-to-cure-effective-dialogue-deficit-disorder/ http://artpetty.com/2011/10/23/arts-weekly-leadership-message-step-up-to-cure-effective-dialogue-deficit-disorder/#comments Sun, 23 Oct 2011 13:47:35 +0000 Art Petty http://artpetty.com/?p=6714 The medical community and drug companies have their ED malady and cure, but too many management and project teams suffer from their own form of ED…with two more D’s…EDDD… Effective Dialogue Deficit Disorder. It’s not that people aren’t talking. There’s no deficit of hot air swirling around most meeting rooms. The issue is all about the quality of the dialogue. Here are 5 ideas for you to use immediately in pursuit of stomping out Effective Dialogue Deficit Disorder:

]]> http://artpetty.com/2011/10/23/arts-weekly-leadership-message-step-up-to-cure-effective-dialogue-deficit-disorder/feed/ 7 http://artpetty.com/2011/10/18/guest-marketing-post-succeeding-with-video/ http://artpetty.com/2011/10/18/guest-marketing-post-succeeding-with-video/#comments Tue, 18 Oct 2011 12:51:08 +0000 Art Petty http://artpetty.com/?p=6658 Guest Marketing Post-Succeeding with Video: I'm not alone in my video-phobia, and in comparing notes with many of my colleagues, it seems we all struggle with the same issues. We also agree that the benefits of building a video presence strongly outweigh any of the personal reasons for avoiding this. To support our efforts, I encouraged Amber Wallor and Edgar Mourans, the two pros behind Left Hand Marketing and the drive to help small business owners and even hapless actors like me build a video presence, to offer us some guidance. Here's a free e-book and some encouragement from Amber and Edgar.

]]> http://artpetty.com/2011/10/18/guest-marketing-post-succeeding-with-video/feed/ 0 http://artpetty.com/2011/10/14/great-ideas-management-leadership-week-in-review/ http://artpetty.com/2011/10/14/great-ideas-management-leadership-week-in-review/#comments Fri, 14 Oct 2011 13:16:10 +0000 Art Petty http://artpetty.com/?p=6635 Every week (ok, that's not a promise, but an aspiration), I'll offer a few articles/posts and an occasional book suggestion, that I believe are worth sharing and worth thinking about and even acting on in our lives. This week's selections offer inspiration for those striving to achieve, ideas on diagnosing and curing team performance problems, a resource on creating and sustaining organizational performance and some provocative thoughts on what the world needs from leaders.

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