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
Reaching for the Executive Ranks? Part Two—Cultivating Executive Presence
Note from Art: In part one of this Reaching for the Executive Ranks series, I shared guidance on developing as a strategist. In this article, I strive to demystify what is often called "executive presence," and I share guidance and resources on strengthening yours. ...
Reaching for the Executive Ranks? Part Two—Cultivating Executive Presence
I’m fascinated by the topic of executive presence and particularly by the feedback many receive that sounds like, “You need to work on strengthening your executive presence.” This feedback typically leaves people stressed and needing clarification. In this article, I strive to demystify executive presence and offer some tips and resources for strengthening yours.
Leadership Caffeine™—You Decide
I hate learning about interesting leaders once they are gone. The same goes for remarkable musicians, except the musician’s output lingers, potentially inspiring new generations. The leader’s wisdom fades along with those they touched directly. Here’s some wisdom worth passing on via your own actions:
How to Deal with an Employee Who Is Making You Ill
Almost every manager can relate to having to navigate a toxic employee situation. If managed improperly (or ignored), it can actually make you ill. This article offers some guidance on dealing fairly and firmly with this situation.
Two New Mentoring Programs for First-Time Managers
The transition from contributor to manager is awkward, clumsy, and filled with potential pitfalls. My two new First-Time Manager mentoring programs are designed to help ease the transition and increase the odds of success.
First-Time Manager #5—Asking Versus Telling
It’s easy to fall into the trap of telling versus asking. Telling is fast and ensure that the work gets done to your standards. It’s also the height of laziness and a profoundly powerful way to show your lack of respect for your team members. Try asking instead of telling. You will be surprised with the results.
Leadership Caffeine™—Reality Check
Enjoy those days when all seems to be good in the universe. Just watch out for that reality check about to blindside you!
Can Leadership Be Reduced to an Algorithm?
As machine learning and brain science advance with remarkable speed, it’s not implausible to imagine leadership behaviors reduced to a component of a master algorithm. Thankfully, there are some distinctly human attributes that may be difficult to capture in this format. Use them as if your survival as a leader depended on it.
First-Time Manager #4—Navigating the Drama Storm
It’s too easy to let the personal problems of our coworkers or employees become our problems. Beware the emerging drama storm as a new manager, and take steps to keep the discussion focused on the business of business.
Leadership Caffeine™—4 Keys to Building Your Great Team
The general guidance on building effective teams is right, it’s just often not specific enough. Here are 4 keys to building your great team that don’t get enough consideration in most workplaces:
Uncover Your Backstory to Supercharge Your Professional Purpose
It turns out, a good part of success is tuning in to our true purpose and mission. It’s a lofty or squishy sounding topic that is made tangible if we spend some time uncovering our unique backstories. The events that have shaped us as humans give life and purpose to us as professionals.