When approaching a difficult task — getting to the gym, writing an important presentation — you may chide yourself for lacking motivation to get it done. However, it’s often not a question of motivation, but follow through. You may want to do the task — you know it’s important — but your brain talks you out of it. You tell …
Management & Leadership
Why External Hires Get Paid More, and Perform Worse, than Internal Staff
Here is some research sure to rankle every employee who has applied for an internal promotion and been passed over in favor of someone brought in from the outside.
According to Wharton management professor Matthew Bidwell, …
Find Mentors Who Speed Up Your Learning
Many of the jobs that Baby Boomers will vacate over the next two decades will go to young upstarts. But how do you compete for jobs formerly held by people with decades more experience? The right mentors can help speed up your learning. Consider contacting the following types of people:
Craft an Attention-Grabbing Message
With so much information out there, getting your audience’s attention is tough. But it is also essential. Consider these three things next time you craft a message that needs to be heard:
Are We Paying Our CEOs Enough?
Pity the poor CEOs of America. Last year, America’s biggest companies increased their revenues –and their profits – by substantial amounts, yet the CEOs leading these companies saw only a meager increase in their …
Get Your Team Thinking Like Entrepreneurs
Teams in large organizations can easily get tangled in bureaucracy. It takes a long time to execute on projects when waiting for approvals and gathering resources. But, you can get around this by helping your team members think and act like entrepreneurs. Try doing the following:
Say Less and Convey More
When you’re giving a presentation and nervousness kicks in, it’s tough to be brief. But, your audience expects you to state your conclusion and stand behind it, not ramble on aimlessly. You can only do that if you zero in on the purpose. When you prepare for your talk, work backwards. Before you put anything down on paper, know the …
Before Promoting Someone, Do a Test Run
If you suspect an employee is ready for a promotion, don’t jump right in. Performance in a current role doesn’t always predict performance in a future one. Gather more information by designing an assignment for the employee that mimics the tasks and challenges of the new job. Be transparent and tell him that you are using this …
Make Time for Meeting Prep
With so many meetings, busy managers don’t always have time to think about the goals of those meetings. But showing up unprepared only makes a meeting longer and less effective. Try blocking out time on your calendar for prep work and to think about what you want to accomplish. If a meeting is an hour, you may need 30 minutes to …
Get Mentoring that Grows with Your Career
Early in your career, you may ask mentors to help you with specific skills. But as you face mid-career challenges, you need mentoring that’s tailored to your individual strengths and career goals. And, you need mentors who can increase your access to career-advancement opportunities. Work with advisers who can help you take the skills …
Make Your Cube a Better Place to Work
Many people spend more time in their office than they do in their bed. You deserve a comfortable workspace. Here are three ways to make your office a place where you can accomplish your best work:
Get Your Project Going Fast
It’s challenging to launch a new project, especially if you’re battling layers of bureaucracy. Don’t fight the red tape. Instead, work around it to make things happen. Here are two ways: