Of the many strategic decisions a leadership team makes, mergers and acquisitions are among the most difficult – and important. With millions – even billions – of dollars in play, as well as the diverse and often competing interests of employees, partners, and investors, how does a leadership team know if they are making the right move? (more…)
Posts Categorized: Culture
Trust Me…
What comes to mind when you hear the words “trust me…”? A slick used-car salesman? A shady politician? Chances are, your first thought was of someone trying to get the best of you in an underhanded way.
And that’s normal. Because trust – like respect – can’t be commanded. It has to be earned.
What does this mean for business leaders? A lot. Research shows that the character and actions of the senior leader are inextricably linked with trust in the company itself. In addition, disengaged employees cite their bosses as the number-one reason for not being happy at work. (more…)
Bridging Multiple Generations On Your Team
As much as we like to talk about generational differences (the “command and control” Baby Boomer or the “lazy” Millennial), does age really determine how you’ll perform on the job? (more…)
GETTING WITH THE “BE WITH” PROGRAM HELPS MANAGERS BECOME LEADERS
We recently blogged about the importance of spending time with your direct reports. While research suggests that six hours a week spent interacting with your employees may be the “magic number” for increasing engagement, we believe the issue isn’t just about quantity – it’s also about quality.
For example, when you’re talking with your employees or team members – in person or on the phone – what do you discuss beyond work priorities and deadlines? If the answer is “nothing,” you may be missing a valuable opportunity. (more…)
Are You Spending Enough Time With Your Direct Reports?
Have you talked with with your employees today?
Not e-mailed, not texted – but actually had a real-time face-to-face conversation with any of your direct reports?
If the answer is “no,” you’re not alone. Demanding travel schedules, telecommuting, and increased responsibilities – not to mention the global nature of many businesses – make it hard for leaders to personally connect with their team members on a frequent basis.
But if you find yourself regularly out of communication for days – or even weeks – at a time, keeping your employees motivated and engaged can become a real challenge. (more…)
A HOLISTIC VIEW OF EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION PAYS OFF
You may have already heard the recent news that, according to Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace Study, 62 percent of employees are “not engaged” at work. These individuals aren’t outwardly hostile, disruptive or unproductive like their “actively disengaged” peers. They usually show up and do what they’re told. Yet, while their managers and co-workers may like them, they probably don’t trust them to go the extra mile. To have the emotional commitment and self-motivation to move from competent to excellent. And that lack of trust can keep your organization from achieving its fullest potential. (more…)
Reigniting the Passion for Servant Leadership
With all-time low employee engagement levels in sharp contrast to organizations’ critical need for improved productivity and innovation, we at Harmony Crew aren’t surprised at the renewed popularity of Servant Leadership. This leadership framework, originally coined and formally developed by Robert Greenleaf in the 1970s, is experiencing a resurgence as colleges, universities and businesses large and small across the globe recognize the value of following service-driven leadership principles. And, it’s understandable why – servant-led companies enjoy 20 – 40% higher profit margins than non-servant-led competitors. (more…)
DISCOVERING YOUR AUTHENTIC BRAND PROMISE
The critically acclaimed TV series, Mad Men, may be set in the 1960s, but the insights it offers into the evolution of advertising, marketing, and business strategy are timeless. A scene in Season 7 particularly resonated with us. As the creative team gathers to start work for a major new client, Peggy directs each of the copywriters to give her 25 taglines by the next day. When Don asks, “What’s the strategy?” she responds, “They want to see the tags first.” (more…)
Mother May I?
How to foster “Adult-Adult” relationships with your team.
What do you call someone who lets you cry on their shoulder, mediates your disagreements, solves your problems, tells you what to do – and checks to make sure that you did it?
If you answered “boss,” you’re not alone. (more…)
Applying lessons from science helps us feel good – and that’s good for business
It’s not easy to achieve lofty goals if it doesn’t feel good getting there. So clearly, it makes sense that work should feel good. Then why are so many people stuck in a seemingly endless cycle of fatigue and frustration? Why are so many in the working world – executives included – giving so much of themselves, but feeling disengaged and underappreciated? (more…)