At some point in your career you are likely to run into someone who talks behind your back. The antidote to negative gossip: Two do's and one don’t: 1) Talk to the person directly; 2) Get to know the people around the gossiper; 3) Don't start gossiping in response.
As the leader, you need a framework to assess your leadership team. Make sure you set your expectations for them to be 1) Functional experts 2) People leaders 3) Business leaders.
One of the biggest misconceptions about how leaders talk to people is that they are supposed to be "nice." It's not about being nice! It's about using the right tools to come across clearly and not shut people down - for some that can be harder than it sounds! Use these tools: 1) Manage your tone 2) Frame it so they can hear you 3) Be specific.
As your company grows, as your span of control grows, and most importantly as you grow as a leader, you need to scale yourself. The way to do this is through: 1) Mindset; 2) People; and 3) Process.
You can't just build your network once and check if off your list. You need to cultivate your social capital (a fancy term for the overall effectiveness of your network) over time. The way to do this is to: 1) Re-assess your network; 2) Reconnect with your network; and 3) Reform your network.
Stepping into a much larger role is exciting and nerve-wracking. It requires you to expand yourself - to get as big as the new job. You need to scale your leadership. That may sound good, but what does that really mean? Three things to do: Three tools for you: 1) Set the big picture; 2) Scale your communication; 3) Reshape your network.
Being smart and great at your job is only part of the equation for success - and not the biggest part. You also need to have credibility and the support of those around you. Getting that support - especially if, sadly, you have alienated people already - takes effort. Three tactics to help: 1) Get sponsors; 2) Create positive buzz; 3) Challenge productively.
Having business confidence is essential to getting you to the executive ranks and making you successful once you are there. Confidence has two related but distinct aspects: feeling confident and coming across as confident. Three tools will help you get both: 1) increase your knowledge base; 2) get validation; 3) stand your ground.
The most important thing you can do for your career growth only happens when you find ways to learn new skills. At the senior levels, these are mostly subtle, and rather than requiring a class, they force you to step out of your comfort zone. Even though this is a cliche, it's not so easy. Today's article focuses on 3 tools to help: 1) Commit to being uncomfortable, 2) practice new skills, 3) create opportunities.
High-stakes conversations are a fact of life at the executive level. If you are strategic about them, you will be more likely to influence the outcome for the better. Today's article gives you three steps to be more influential in a strategic conversation: 1) define your goal; 2) listen to the voices in their head; 3) create your strategy.
Conflict. So many people think that they have to contain conflict, resolve conflict and prevent conflict. And, if they would only hone their influence skills, they could prevent conflict. Wrong. Today's article underscores that 1) conflict is inevitable, 2) so make sure you pick the right fight, and 3) learn from the experience.
