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
Four Big Topics from the Succeeding with Challenging Conversations Programs
Anyone who has attended one of my programs knows I genuinely geek out on sharing concepts, approaches, and tools that help us solve problems, make better decisions, lead more effectively, and communicate effectively under pressure. This latter topic—communicating...
Four Big Topics from the Succeeding with Challenging Conversations Programs
Strengthening as a workplace communicator takes focus and deliberate effort. In a summer filled with multiple corporate workshop programs focused on Succeeding with Challenging Conversations, here are four big topics that energized the groups. Use the ideas in great communication health!
For Challenging Conversations, Respect Melts Resistance
The absence of respect breeds toxicity among individuals and across the workplace. Instead of being blinded by your brilliance it pays to take the time to look, listen, learn, and value the person across the table from you. You’ll be pleased with results, including the respect you’ll receive in return.
Navigating the Challenging Conversations of Strategy
In my experience, most strategy discussions go sideways. After all, they are typically about change and we’re wired to fear and resist change. There are however some practices you can adopt to help strengthen the quality of these essential and sometimes existential discussions. Here are 5:
Challenging Conversations—How to Tell an Employee It’s Over
Challenging conversations are inherent in a manager’s job, yet this knowledge doesn’t make it any easier when you have to sit down and let a good person know they’re not cutting it and it’s time for them to go. While you own doing everything in your power to coach, train, and support them, in some instances, the individual’s abilities don’t match up with your firm’s and the job’s needs. Here’s guidance on handling this tough situation with clarity and empathy.
Leadership Caffeine™—Character and Moral Compass
Taking a cue from the late President George H.W. Bush, character and moral compass are essential for good leadership. Here are some ideas to help you bring them to life.
Challenging Conversations—Navigating the Blockers at Work
It’s inevitable to find individuals standing in the way of your well-intended new programs or proposed changes. Instead of expecting logic to win the day or, resorting to aggressive tactics, it pays to use finesse. Here are some well-practiced approaches to navigating the workplace blockers in your life.
Leadership Caffeine™—Conversations for Growth
The heart of your professional and leadership development must be seeking out conversations for growth. It takes a bit of courage and deliberate effort, but the results are potentially life and career changing.
Leadership Caffeine™—Success: It’s All in the Cause
It’s not hard to identify the ingredients essential for success on a team or in an organization. Yet, manifesting a group wildly motivated to succeed is the real issue. To do this, there must be a cause that serves as the catalyst and driver. Your numbers, goals, quarterly targets, and emotional or logical pleas aren’t enough. The right cause brings teams to life.
Leadership Power-Up—Make Time to Think Deeply
There’s ample science to conclude that we’re lousy at multi-tasking and alternatively, that taking time to reflect improves our self-efficacy and ability to learn. Unfortunately, most of us work in and contribute to a perpetual tornado of activities in our daily lives. It’s imperative for your well-being and effectiveness to find opportunities to simply pause and think deeply.
podcast: Jennifer K. Crittenden: What’s A Guy to Do? How to Work With Women (#25)
I recently had a chance to interview former executive and now author and coach, Jennifer K. Crittenden, about her latest book: What’s a Guy to Do? Working With Women, as well as her other excellent books. In this engaging 40-minute interview, Jennifer shares a wealth of great guidance for all of us. Enjoy this latest episode for the Leadership Caffeine podcast.