Mistrust is the result of leaders and followers who do not bother to confirm their assumptions about a given situation before either or both take action. Here is an example. A production line supervisor needed some routine information from Larry who was working nearby at his station. The supervisor walked over to Larry and said, […]

Managers in today’s complex organizations are discovering that getting staff together to develop a common set of goals is not only difficult, but it is frequently divisive and disruptive to the normal work flow. Their challenge is to meld the individual perceptions and expectations into a unified vision. The primary obstacles keeping employees from coming […]

Doers often disparage workplace relationships because they “don’t know, don’t like, or don’t trust” the people with whom they work. Applying the principles of teamwork when building a task-based relationship objectifies rather than personalizes individual performance. This shift in focus attracts Doers because it is now clear to them what, not who, needs to be […]

Applying the tenets of teamwork outlined in the previous blog and in this part 2 when building a task-based relationship objectifies rather than personalizes individual performance. This shift in focus turns makes you a Doer because it is now clear what, not who, needs to be fixed. MUTUAL RESPECT: Accept and value what others bring to […]

Doers understand and accept that forming productive relationships by removing the impediments that separate them from the quirky personalities of their teammates is not likely to happen naturally. The tenets of teamwork described below and in the blog that follows provide guidelines for building task-based relationships, so that when Doers encounter whiners, slackers, misfits, or […]

Using traditional interview panels whereby those candidates who make the best impression get hired is not likely to bring many Doers to the surface. LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman, author of The Alliance, believes employers put too much weight on interviews and too little weight on references. “References actually tell you how people work, what their […]

Striving for a better life in the future by changing the way you live today is good for you. Being honest with yourself regarding the potential challenges you will face along the way is also good for you. A thoughtful self-examination will trigger a search for new tools and new ways to make the journey […]

When your expectations are conveyed clearly those on the receiving end feel good about providing the response you need. Unclear requests typically leave the listener feeling disappointed, discouraged, or disillusioned. Those who hold you responsible for their negative feelings typically walk away and say nothing rather than risk telling you what is really on their […]

Performance-challenged employees will typically band together in opposition to the need for improvement. They are also the first to point out even the smallest faults of their performance-minded teammates whenever the need for change is mentioned. Fearing the loss of status, they view progress as a threat to their longevity. Because the low producers have […]

Time is a precious commodity in today’s pressure packed workplace. People are expected to form trusting relationships quickly—which is difficult when there is so much to get done. The widespread adoption of electronic messaging systems has further reduced interpersonal communications, making the development of trust even less likely. No one can fault you for relying […]