Category Archives: People Skills

Recognizing Talent – key traits for hiring and promoting

"It's not about whether candidates have the right skills, it's [more] about whether they have the potential to learn new ones."    - Claudio Fernández-Aráoz To recruit, promote and keep talent, it turns out that adaptability, capacity to learn, and constructive use of imagination are more important than knowledge.  Einstein was right.  But the master skill of "learning how to learn" can be Continue Reading ...

Collaboration

Collaboration can become "coliberation" when done right. When, exactly, are "two heads better than one"?  When the overall goal and task at hand deserve this form of closely aligned partnering.  Of course, not every type of work, every goal or every task deserves it, and when collaboration is warranted, success depends on the willingness and skill-sets of collaboration partners.  Key is to Continue Reading ...

Humor in the Workplace: Compulsion or Choice?

Someday we'll look back on these times and laugh ... so why not start now!? By Daniel Robin Two executives walk into a bar. One says to the other "I've been thinking. If you took over as CEO, I could retire early." The other executive responds, "Sure, dear, but not until after we put the kids to bed." (What? Oh, I get it ... that's like a joke, but not as funny. What matters is that now we've Continue Reading ...

Communication Skills for People Under Pressure

By Daniel Robin "There comes a time ... when we must grab the bull by the tail and face the situation." - W.C. Fields You walk into a meeting with your agenda brandished on your frontal lobes, ready to get the team's unwavering commitment and blast into action. The last time you had an assignment with this group, some joker disagreed, it threw you off, and it took forever to get it done. This time Continue Reading ...

Not Just the Facts, Ma’am

By Daniel Robin "Hey, the boss is all upset," reports Todd, looking a bit worried. Curious to know what Todd observed, Nancy asks "How do you know the boss is all upset?" "Well," Todd explains, "I just saw her jumping up and down and pounding her fists on the desk. I’d say that means we’re in trouble." "Relax ...," says Nancy in reassuring tones, Continue Reading ...

Leadership in Action Series: Part 9

Speaking Up About Put-Downs By Daniel Robin This article series outlines several tools for dealing with patterns of aggressiveness.  Assertive leaders are clear about what they want, listen actively, make requests, set clean boundaries, and handle differences through skillful negotiation.  Of course, depending on the “personality” involved, it might be best to ask for help or get out of their Continue Reading ...

Leadership in Action Series: Part 7

Do You Take Your Humor Seriously? By Daniel Robin Part 1: Measuring Mirth Business people are obsessed with measurement.  Measurement creates the illusion of control.  Control, as we all know, is a popular substitute for power.  Power, as any fool could tell you, is where all the fun is. (With power you get to do stuff nobody else can.)  Therefore, if you want to have fun, measure things. In Continue Reading ...

The Eight Essential Skills Of Coaching

How to bring out the best in others By Daniel Robin Previous article talked about the cultural revolution taking place in most work environments. Hierarchical "command and control" management practices are giving way to more collaborative, fluid and dynamic structures. Why? People naturally perform better when their work environment matches how they like being treated. The challenge of letting Continue Reading ...

The Benefits and Advantages of Coaching

Still not clear on what coaching is?  Here's a definition For the Coach You don’t have to have all the answers Unleashed creativity ... more options and choices open up ... less a sense of limitation or stuckness. Fewer barriers to innovation, ... solutions arrive rather than continued head-banging Agreements upheld more often Shared responsibility frees you up to innovate, focus Continue Reading ...