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Managers: What Do You Know Now That You Wish You Knew Then?

March 15, 2010
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“As a manager/leader of people, what do know now, that you wish you knew when you started?”
I recently posted this question in a number of groups on LinkedIn to get a discussion going on management development.  I’m getting lots of great answers, like this one from Steve Ibanez of NY (used with his [...]

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How Management is Like Being in the Cast of “Jersey Shore”

March 8, 2010
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I actually received a threat when I proposed this blogpost.  One of my colleagues told me that she didn’t want anything to do with equating our work to… (picture a disapproving frown) “Jersey Shore.”  But hold up.  Give me a minute and it will make sense.
Let me be open from the outset.  I’ve not actually [...]

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Mary’s 7 Ways to Be a New Leader to Your Employees (No Makeover Required)

February 24, 2010
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My buddy, Joe Gerstandt, and I are plunging headlong into the new year with yet more Q&A posts. Here’s our latest installment.
JOE: We both talk about new ways of leadership in our work…for you, what are some examples of what that actually looks like?
MARY:  Great question.  I’m into lists this week, so what I’ve crafted [...]

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Do Makeovers Belong in Management?

February 21, 2010
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Use Your Own Natural Approach to Manage People Easier
It’s clear that our culture likes big, dramatic makeovers.  It’s no wonder that Extreme Makeover Home Edition is so popular.  Or the Friday audience makeovers on the Today Show.  But aside from the clear benefit of these examples, I don’t think we need makeovers everywhere.  Something about [...]

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Congratulations, You’ve Got People! Part 2

January 25, 2010
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OR, The Road to Heck is Paved with Good Intentions
Jump to Part 2 here
Part 1 – From January 25: You’ve worked hard. You’ve been looking forward to actually leading your own team. You’ve had supervisors you look up to, who inspired you.  Or maybe you had supervisors who made  you think, “Surely [...]

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Hear the Clip! Do You Think There are Some Employees You Just Can’t Motivate?

January 24, 2010
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…Don’t Make This Common Manager Mistake
As a former HR Manager, and long-time coach, I’ve found 5 common mistakes I see managers of people make over and over that create a rut of overwhelm, confusion, and frustration.  These mistakes practically guarantee you’ll keep struggling against yourself and your employees. By avoiding these mistakes you’ll allow yourself [...]

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Managers: Don’t Make this Common Mistake with Your Own Development

January 19, 2010
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…Thinking There’s So Much to Change That You Don’t Change a Thing
You know the feeling.  You get inspired by a new idea you learn from an HBR newsletter or Malcolm Gladwell’s latest book.  You’re intrigued by applying your learning to actually turning around that problem employee or creating better communication among your sniping team members.  [...]

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It’s all about the B’s this New Year

January 8, 2010
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Joe Gerstandt, and I do a Q&A exchange regularly.  This time it’s all about the “B’s.”  Looking ahead to the new year, Joe talked about “The Brand, The Book and The Baby Boy.”  I’m going to talk about “Be-ing.” Now, to our most recent question:

What are you most excited about for this coming year?
Mary: As [...]

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