Posted: June 15, 2017 | Categories: Leadership, Team Building

I work with companies to build high-performing teams.  This can be a long and difficult process.  In many cases some trust has to be restored, and new habits and behavior patterns must be formed.  One of the most rewarding parts of this team-building process is when a group crosses the magic threshold from “I” to “we”.  I was able to observe such a breakthrough this week:Read More…

Posted: May 31, 2017 | Categories: Leadership, Management, Team Building

Picture this scenario:  You hire an employee for a key position.  They are like a dream come true.  They know what you want, and consistently deliver excellent work.  Their attitude is exceptional, and they are a positive force on the team. They are eager to learn everything, and you spend extra time with them teaching them things that enable you to spend more time on what you do best.  For two years, you have been in with them.  It is a joy.  Then, one day, you get the proverbial “punch in the stomach”.  They announce that they are leaving for another company.  Read More…

Posted: May 24, 2017 | Categories: Leadership, Team Building

Oh, I wish I could give a magic, “silver bullet” answer to the title of this blog.  If you own a business, you know the “punch in the stomach” feeling when a seasoned and highly valuable team member gives you their two-weeks’ notice.  Turnover is costly for many reasons we know and don’t know. Let’s start with a history lesson:Read More…

Posted: February 24, 2017 | Categories: Leadership, Team Building

As a professional coach, I help companies build top-performing teams.  This week I was reminded of one of the biggest challenges in building strong teamwork:  The ability to confront someone who has either made a mistake or needs re-direction.Read More…

Posted: February 7, 2017 | Categories: Leadership, Management, Team Building

“If I asked people what they wanted, they would say they wanted a better horse” -Henry Ford

Last month I was meeting with a client who had a big problem:  His business was growing too fast.  He had built his success by giving excellent service and managing relationships well.  Now all that was at risk.  Things were slipping through the cracks, important details were getting overlooked, and his team was “dropping the ball” far too often.

When a situation like this occurs, it is important to define the problem so that we come up with the right solution.Read More…