Wake-Up Calls for Managers
For the hard parts no one prepares you for
When the path isn’t clear, the stakes are high, and the answers aren’t obvious—this is where managers struggle most.
Wake-Up Calls for Managers delivers practical, real-world guidance for navigating:
- Tough conversations
- Leading through uncertainty
- Building influence without authority
- Driving results through others
The Leadership Caffeine Blog
Guidance for New(er) Managers—Skip the Do-as-I-Would Approach
One of the new(er) managers' most significant mistakes is thinking and acting as if their role is mostly about showing they are super contributors. I run into this regularly with smart people—experts in their field—who assume their primary job is to be that expert on...
Guidance for New(er) Managers—Skip the Do-as-I-Would Approach
One of the new(er) managers’ most significant mistakes is thinking and acting as if their role is mostly about showing they are super contributors. Skip the Do-as-I-Would style of managing and adopt these key behaviors:
Developing a Discovery-Driven Culture in Your Organization
The quote from writer, William Gibson, “The future is already here, it’s just not evenly distributed,” always makes me pause. For anyone leading a business and engaging in setting strategy, Gibson’s perspective should be imprinted on your frontal lobe as a blunt reminder of your need to cultivate a discovery-driven culture or risk obsolescence.
Leadership Caffeine Podcast #28—David Loy
David Loy, CEO of Leverage Creative Group offers up fabulous insights on personal branding, carving out your niche, developing your personal leadership philosophy and much more on this issue of the Leadership Caffeine podcast.
A Technique to Create More Great Days at Work
Instead of letting your days just happen, invest a few minutes before work to prepare your attitude and strive to succeed at every encounter. Here’s how I do it:
Career Reinvention Journal—Is It Time for a New Story?
It happens to just about everyone during their careers. Those who say it doesn’t are fooling themselves. The “it” I’m referencing is a period of doubt about where they are and what they are doing in their careers. It’s a period of self-questioning that can lead to change or just more of the same. If change is the answer, you have to rewrite the story you’ve been telling yourself about you.
How to Get Ahead Without Being Perceived as a Jerk (Most of the time)
The question, “Do I have to be a jerk to get ahead?” is spoken out of frustration. There’s no doubt that in sharp-elbowed organizations, noisy, manipulative individuals can be the ones gaining the plum assignments and key promotions. If you want to get ahead, you don’t have to mimic their behaviors, but you do have to choose a strategy to compete. Here are some ideas to help you get ahead without compromising your values:
Leadership Caffeine Podcast #27—John Baldoni
One of the secret joys of writing this blog over the past decade has been meeting so many remarkable and inspirational individuals in all sectors. In this episode of the Leadership Caffeine podcast, I have the privilege of connecting with one of those inspirational individuals, friend and leadership guru, author, and great guy, John Baldoni.
Why Drucker’s “Managing Oneself” is Incredibly Relevant to Managing Your Career
Every year I read Peter Drucker’s classic article, “Managing Oneself,” as part of my personal-professional career navigation process. His powerful questions and frank commentary on what we need to do in our careers helps me reorient and reset on my priorities and activities. I’ve added five questions of my own that are relevant in our emerging world.
Is a Career Makeover in Order? A Special Offer to Help Jumpstart Yours
Reinventing yourself in your career is hard work and best done with a guide. If you want to get started on your career makeover, here’s an exceptional limited time offer for a few individuals.
Be Careful with Multi-Person Feedback—It’s Easy to Get it Wrong
Multi-person feedback is a tricky issue. Don’t let it trip you up and then stress the people around you. Here are some tips for getting it right: