Personality clashes, unmet expectations and resistive coworkers are among the primary causes of behavioral-based conflict in the workplace. Without an effective resolution process, no work unit can continue to function effectively. When evaluating the need for a conflict management program, be aware that unresolved conflict is directly related to job satisfaction – as job satisfaction […]

Doers accept that workplace dysfunction is commonplace, so they learn to work within the confines of what is possible. While you consider a specific situation in which to practice your Doer skills think about how you would respond to a boss who displays any of these dysfunctional behaviors: The upwardly focused who don’t care about […]

Doers are the backbone of every successful enterprise, those self-motivated, high achievers who do the right things the right way for the right reasons. Typically few in number these gifted performers protect and advance the organization’s competitive advantage. These result-oriented game-changers provide the initiative for new ideas and the energy that drives productivity. Doers are […]

Supervisors sometimes avoid taking corrective action because it feels too much like parenting. Other times they withhold critical feedback because the childhood injunction, “If you can’t say something nice about someone, don’t say anything,” still rings in their ears. It is time to set these socially induced feelings aside and talk about a new approach […]

Leaders are running into a growing problem with followers, who will not accept ownership when a job is done poorly, but instead pile on the excuses and float the whole mess back up the chain of command. This phenomenon is called “upward delegation.” One example is when a follower pesters you with questions about how […]

One of the first things a Doer encounters when he or she starts a new job is an intensive recruitment effort by cliques. Coworkers who hold a negative view of the organization will pull the Doer aside to warn him or her about whom can be trusted and whom to watch out for. Cliques provide […]

Striving for a better future by changing the way you live and work today can be a difficult undertaking for a Doer. Yes, being honest with yourself regarding the challenges you will face along the way is good for you, but it may also be upsetting to those who love and admire you and thus […]

We all love a juicy piece of gossip now and then. Even if we do not want to believe it, we still want to hear it. Unfortunately, those few who take delight in spreading rumors do not seem to realize that doing so may harm innocent people. Here is a real life story of what […]

Leaders should be continuously providing evaluations and honest feedback, while addressing poor performance and inappropriate behavior in a timely way. Evaluations contribute to the overall morale of the workforce; the immediate feedback clears up confusion, reinforces excellence, and helps reassure people that their growth within the company is on track. When hard work is recognized, […]

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, […]