From time to time, the hard work of being responsible for the work of others grows tiring. While much of the literature paints a picture that makes leadership sound like a calling (and for some it is), for many in roles of responsibility for teams and groups, the position was an accident, a means to advancement or something that seemed interesting at the time. Whether your issue is one of leadership fatigue or, you’re gut is telling you to stop the bus because you want to get off, it’s important to pause every once in awhile, assess your situation and either find a way to refresh and recharge, or, find a way to get off at the next stop.
The Leadership Caffeine Blog
It’s Your Career—8 Sure-Fire Ways to Annoy Your Boss
If your objective is to annoy your boss and ensure that you earn your way on to his or her Short List (OK, the name of the list starts with sh and ends with t, but this is a family blog), try these eight actions on for size:
Leadership Caffeine™—Coping When a Valued Protégé Says Goodbye
Part of growing up as a leader involves letting the people you’ve supported and coached, sometimes from day one of their careers, move on to new opportunities inside and outside the organization. Here are 5 thoughts to help you keep things in context when faced with losing a valued team member:
It’s Your Career—4 Key Self Development Questions
In the course of my work coaching, managing and hiring, I encounter far too many individuals who have nothing to point to when it comes to skills development and continuing education. How you answer these 4 questions speaks volumes about you as a professional:
Just One Thing—Quit Playing the Role of the Office Overbearing Smarty Pants
Most of us have very little real understanding of how our behaviors impact others. We cruise through our days secure in our view of our importance and convinced that our presence lights up every room, enlightens our colleagues and brings joy and prosperity to our teams and organization. Just in case you happen to be the Office Overbearing Smarty Pants, here are 5 tips to help you reform your ways:
It’s Your Career- 6 Ideas to Help You Define Your Professional Value Proposition
Part of the process of moving up or moving on involves a hefty amount of self-marketing, and it’s at this point where we attempt to share who we are and what we bring to the table that we often fall short. Here are 6 ideas to help you jump-start the process of creating an effective professional value proposition:
It’s Your Career-Seize that Invitation to Growth
Some career opportunities are wrapped in gold leaf and hand-delivered on a silver-platter. Don’t let one of these precious invitations slip through your fingers. There are no guarantees you’ll remain on the invitee list.
Just One Thing: Focus
Much like my topic a few weeks ago about the importance of finding time to think deeply about the big issues in front of us, it takes deliberate and sometimes herculean effort to find focus in our work lives. Focus is a key ingredient on the critical path to success.
It’s Your Career: 5 Ideas to Move from Miserable to Motivated at Work
Being miserable in a job is not the normal state of existence. If this is your prevailing mood in the workplace, something is obviously wrong and needs your attention and action. Here are 5 ideas to help you move from miserable to motivated:
It’s Your Career-7 Key Do’s and Don’ts for the Newly Minted MBA
It’s graduation season again in the U.S. and for most newly minted MBA graduates, it’s time for a reality check. Here are some hard-won words of wisdom on how to navigate the steps immediately following your graduation.
