The whole point behind a corporation is to create a place where individuals can achieve collectively what they cannot accomplish by working alone. And, in a good and positive environment, where everyone is treated as a corporate citizen, managers and employees can do great things together. But this is not what usually happens—especially during the […]

More and more managers are abdicating the responsibility for resolving behaviorally related issues involving hard-to-handle subordinates. Opting instead to pass these troublemakers along to the human resource department.  Perhaps the responsibility for behavioral management in your workplace has not yet been determined. If that’s so, and you decide to take on this responsibility yourself, here […]

It is sometimes easier for people to accept a moralizing story than a straightforward analysis because they don’t have to figure out the underlying lesson. For example, I like to use nautical terminology when I’m trying to teach people about organizational change. I sometimes describe a motorboat moving at high speed into uncharted waters to […]

What is truly puzzling in this age of enlightenment is the increasing number of people who are still not able to make any connection between the results of their efforts and their company’s future. When their employer gets smacked in the face with a sudden market shift and the profit picture starts to dim, these […]

As economic and social conditions change, the pressure to be flexible and responsive will continue to mount. People in leadership roles will be expected to foresee what’s ahead and to make on-the-job adjustments without losing momentum.  The future vitality of your organization will depend on its ability to change with minimum upheaval. Selecting the right […]

Without a plan for your life, it is easy to lose your sense of purpose. You become confused about the highest and best use of your talents which leaves you vulnerable to rejection. The primary reason for having a plan and making it known to those within your sphere of influence is to establish a […]

When conflict lingers unabated, it doesn’t take long before resentment and distrust set in. As a result, there is little appreciation for the creative aspects of blending contrasting viewpoints. A conflict-resolution process that embraces the disparities between individuals can uncover buried issues, clarify misunderstandings, restore confidence, and minimize rejection. Acting as though conflict doesn’t exist […]

Organizational misalignment can also occur when an organization purposefully realigns itself to face disruption head-on. In the following two examples the organizations shifted from the middle line to the bottom line to reduce costs and structure potential layoffs. Example 1: Public Agency An economic downturn can be particularly difficult for small towns that are dependent […]

As you read these true-life stories that follow think about how you might react in the same circumstances. Think also about what problems you would have to face if these situations were to occur in your organization and how you would handle the rejection. Health Care Center As the competition for registered nurses heated up, […]

There is nothing wrong with being a bottom-line company, if it is properly aligned and clearly communicated to the employees and customers. But when management says one thing, yet does another, that organization is misaligned and fraught with opportunity for rejection. For example, the CEO proclaims that people are the firm’s most important asset, even […]