Author Archives: worxjones

What’s Wrong With Being Right

The chaos that ensues from less than full participation in the learning process provides an opportunity for people with aggressive, loud and dominant personalities to impose solutions that may not be right. Unfortunately, coworkers often accept an idea that seems right simply because it came from someone who sounds right. Working alone can be very […]

Clossing Down The Rumor Mill

                                                                                          \ Leaders rarely set aside the time and space for followers to compare notes, ask questions and share their concerns. So, they gather at the “rumor mill” where they feel free to make up their own minds about what is going on and why. These gatherings are typically located offsite at popular watering holes. However, […]

Embracing Awkward Moments

There’s bound to be a period of floundering whenever people undergo change—it can’t be avoided. So you might as well face the inevitable and learn to be more graceful and accepting of people’s mistakes. In order to make the most of a potentially difficult period, everyone involved needs to be aware of and embrace these […]

Authentic Myths Build Community Spirit

Organizational life is full of historical myths: some are positive and pull people together while others are negative and drive people apart. No matter what you do, myths are going to circulate. The challenge is to support the myths that work to your advantage and expunge the ones that don’t. Leaders can use positive myths […]

Assessing Readiness Facilitates Change

Orchestrating change is not just management’s job. To make change work leaders and followers need an opportunity to voice their concerns through meaningful dialogue and purposeful exploration of what lies ahead. Rather than throw out the old and replace it with the new, there needs to be more open discussion around the change itself and […]

Attracting And Retaining High Achievers

High achievers will check you out before they consider showing up for an interview. Here are seven ways to establish the reputation you’ll need to attract and retain those vital few who get things done. 1.  The enduring attraction to a high achiever is the opportunity to grow personally and professionally, to make a measurable […]

Whinning Is A Form Of Protest

Whining is a form of protest that is frequently triggered by unclear directions. Given the demanding nature of the modern organization, where employees are pressured to change quickly and respond accurately, it’s no wonder people are whining. In today’s fast-paced workplace, employees feel confused without a sense of what to do when new ways of […]

Strategies For Managing Change

Watch closely next time a change is announced and you’ll notice that people react in three different ways. The proactive view change as an opportunity to try new things and make improvements. They value innovation and respond positively to difficult situations, collective concerns, and personal challenges. The reactive immediately start working to block the change […]

What’s Wrong With Being Right

The chaos that ensues from less than full participation in the problem-solving process provides an opportunity for people with dominant personalities to impose solutions that may not be right. Unfortunately, coworkers often accept an idea that seems right simply because it came from someone who sounds right. Things often go wrong when those engaged in […]

Management By Metaphor

A metaphor is like a story or a fable, in that it doesn’t have to be factually accurate, just descriptive. Unlike clichés or sarcasm, which only convey meaning to those “in the know,” a metaphor carries meaning for all who share in it. It’s much easier for people to accept a metaphor because they don’t […]