Our daily Field Notes email is just the kind of jumpstart you need. A fast read. Maybe less than a minute. Because sometimes it just takes one insight to change the trajectory of the day.
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Self-Confidence Is Shaped by the People Whose Validation and Respect We Seek
People have a fundamental need to seek the attention of others and to be respected and admired for who they are and what they do. All people and in every culture. The only critical difference between people is the source of this attention. Some people seek the respect and attention from a tight-knit group of friends, colleagues,…
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When to Form a Task Force to Address a Problem
When to Form a Task Force to Address a Problem
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Leaders Quickly Reframe Negative Promotion Decisions
Leaders Quickly Reframe Negative Promotion Decisions
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How Good Leaders Localize the ‘Why’ After Announcing Major Change
When leaders and organizations make changes, everyone wants to know why. The rationale or reason behind any decision or change allows people to grasp the bigger picture and predict how their tasks and actions must align to achieve the desired outcome.
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What Makes a Leader Approachable?
High approachability shapes the relationship a leader has with team members in a profound and positive way. The more approachable a leader is perceived to be, the more likely they are to learn what others truly think and experience. Approachable leaders get an early reporting of issues, hear of problems before they escalate, and get…
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The Common Feedback That You Don’t Bring People Along With You
What exactly does it mean when a leader receives the feedback that they don’t bring people along with them? How did they get so far ahead, and why isn’t the team keeping pace with them? As it turns out, the problem of bringing people along can refer to two different issues: communicating the rationale for the leader’s thinking and task…
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When Everyone on the Team Is Expected to Lead
Not only did the University of Indiana (Bloomington) win the Big 10 Championship on Saturday for the first time in more than 55 years, but the team is now ranked number one in the nation for the first time in school history. In just two years under the leadership of Coach Curt Cignetti, the program…
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Good Leaders Explain the Logic Behind Their Everyday Beliefs
Observe great leaders in action, and you will frequently hear them use simple statements that justify their beliefs with evidence, facts, and data. They don’t do this to convince or persuade as much as to reduce the self-doubt others might have and to instill confidence in their proposed actions. Providing an evidence-backed rationale for their beliefs and…
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The Unique Challenge of Leading in a Matrix Organization
In a matrix organization, team members report to more than one leader or manager at the same time, typically a functional leader and a business or regional leader. This creates a grid-like system of accountability instead of a single straight line of reporting. Think of a finance team in a centralized function (Corporate Finance), but with…
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How Leaders Can Micromanage a Team by Owning Too Many of Their Problems
Good leaders support their teams and remove obstacles that get in the way of high performance. They make themselves accessible and available to opine on issues of concern to team members and work hard to provide the resources the team needs to succeed. On occasion, they step in and get involved with issues and problems…