Manager’s Toolbox

The majority of Americans are unhappy at work – but does that really matter? Aren’t people always going to grumble about work getting in the way of their lives?

Bill Hogg looks at some key motivation methods that you can use with your team right away..

Being a leader is not the same as being a manager. Let’s consider how to become a better leader—especially for those who are not lucky enough to be born leaders..

A leader is best when people barely know he exists, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves. ~ Lao Tzu Most people understand there is a difference between managers and leaders. However, when asked specifically what those differences are, it becomes a discussion of qualitative, ethereal qualities, … Read more

When you hire new people, are you tempted to opt for the ones that remind you of…YOU?

As a manager, you need to ensure that your team is a good example of team effectiveness. A scout leader was trying to lift a fallen tree from the path. His pack gathered around to watch him struggle. “Are you using all your strength?” one of the scouts asked. “Yes!” was the exhausted and exasperated … Read more

Leadership capacity is more than simply skill development; it’s about performance, growth, transformation and change..

Most change initiatives fail. This is a fact that too few leaders truly understand. Change is never easy. People are resistant to it and people will not just change because you tell them to. All it takes is one leader who wants to make their mark on a company to leave a sour taste, and … Read more

My bet is that the leaders you most admire are the ones who left you better off than they found you by creating opportunities that helped you grow..

Learn what causes employees to stay or leave and how you can tip the
balance to keeping your employees engaged and energized!

Rather than respond with knee-jerk reactions or lash out in frustration or anger when change is needed, use constructive impatience..

Being organized at work reduces distractions and increases effectiveness. Learn the five steps you can take to get your act together and be more effective in business and in life..

Most people perform better when they are heading toward a goal. But it is important to understand that the goals must motivate. If your goals leave you feeling inadequate, stressed out, or over-worked, then you will lack the motivation to complete them. Goals that motivate have specific characteristics: Clarity. Clear goals are specific, measurable, actionable, … Read more

There is not a manager out there, that doesn’t have a story to tell about the lessons they learned in their first roles of managing people and teams..

Risk-taking is critical to business success. But the starting point for taking smart risks should be inaction, not action..

Courage involves behavior. Like all behaviors, courage can be developed, encouraged, and reinforced..

In the same way you learn leadership from leaders, law from lawyers, and art from
artists, you learn most about risk-taking from risk-takers..

Life in the dynamic and unpredictable business world means that sometimes things will not go according to plan..

A new report from Gallup, based on extensive polling, finds only 10% of managers have what it takes to be “a great manager.” Deep breathe before you fire the lot or cry foul. First, Gallup didn’t just make up these numbers. They measured the engagement levels of 27 million employees in 195 countries. In the … Read more