FieldNotes
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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A Great Attitude Without the Discipline to Excel
Before becoming attracted by a great attitude and investing in skill development, leaders would be best served to explore the personal habits and discipline of team members. A great attitude is only a game-changer if it comes with the self-discipline to make the daily actions connected to success. Those without may as well lack will…
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Refraining From Unilateral Decisions Applies to Everyone on the Team, Not Just Leaders
The best leaders establish this standard by discussing the idea of unilateral decisions (or the need to refrain from them) frequently with the team. Those conversations create an expectation that influences the behavior of both the team members and leaders. It reminds everyone of their obligations to each other. Refraining unilateral decision-making cultivates trust and…
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Accolades for Team Members Not Ready for Prime Time Foster Team Cohesion
Leaders who frequently give accolades to those “riding the bench” foster a different team mentality than do others. By recognizing the contributions made by those not yet ready for prime time, they impart a team ethic that advances morale and ensures everyone is engaged and involved. This places a check on the egos of those…
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The Truth Is More Palatable When We Discover It For Ourselves
Evaluation, feedback, and advice that do not corroborate our thoughts about ourselves and our performance are always difficult to swallow. No matter how self-aware a person is, we cling to our perceptions and seek confirmation to validate our views. Any time criticism contradicts our view, it shakes us up. We initially resist. Could this possibly…
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Inside Every Complaint Is a Request
People complain for many reasons. When things don’t go as planned or expected, complaints are a common way to let frustration with the situation be known to others. People also complain to have others validate their grievances and stand in solidarity with their dissatisfaction. Gaining support from allies who see events and outcomes similarly makes…
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You Might Be a Micromanager If…
So, here is our list of 10 humorous but insightful “tells” of micromanagers: You might be a micromanager if people sit and wait for your instructions so they don’t make the mistakes your Gantt chart predicts they will. …
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Star Teammates Don’t Fall From The Sky
Star teammates are rare. Good leaders aren’t threatened by them in the least. They embrace them, reward them, and hope their dedication to the team rubs off on others. How many star teammates are on your team? They don’t exist without the support of leaders who view them as an asset and not competition.
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Organizations Don’t Learn. People Inside of Them Do.
Organizations Don’t Learn. People Inside of Them Do. If you would benefit greatly from the working principles and learnings of prior leaders in your organization but can’t lay your hands on anything that outlines them, perhaps it is time to stop the leakage of this institutional knowledge and chart a different path for learning. Document…
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What Does It Mean to Be Fully Prepared
The basics of preparation are well-known to good leaders and top performers. We don’t consider ourselves prepared for any event, situation, or upcoming performance until we establish the goals we want to achieve and have settled on the strategy and tactics that will enable us to succeed. Having a clear plan of action for any…
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As a Last Resort, Consider Exclusion to Reinvigorate a Wayward Team Member
Team members sometimes act defiantly when they are protected by bureaucracy, a senior mentor, a critical client relationship, or deep institutional knowledge. They come to believe they are immune from termination or sanction. They do what they want when they want to do it, ignore the team leader, and set their own course. In the…