Mike Figliuolo's Blog, page 73

Leadership the AirBnb Way

Sometimes the best leaders are the ones at the back of the pack, helping to drive everything forward and sometimes they are out front, and other times it benefits to be both, just like AirBnb. Today’s post is by Joseph Michelli, author of The AirBnb Way (CLICK HERE to get your copy). Around 2007, Simon Cooper was the CEO of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, where I was working with their senior leadership team. Simon and I were exploring how Ritz-Carlton could adapt to meet the needs of changing luxury travelers without losing the company’s legacy customer base. Simon offered an example of the challenges faced by the luxury hotel company in 2008, “I had a guest complain to me that he saw one of our bartenders serve a young guest a bottle of beer without a glass. When I looked into it, I...



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How important is it to your employees that you treat them consistently with one another?

Our reader poll today asks: How important is it to your employees that you treat them consistently with one another? Extremely: They want everyone to always be treated equally: 51.14% Very: They’ll tolerate some special treatment but not very much: 31.99% Somewhat: Some want consistent treatment, while others don’t seem to care: 11.34% Not very: Most of them only worry about how they’re treated themselves: 4.28% Not at all: Special and different treatment is an accepted norm: 1.25% Fair versus equal? The majority of you said your team members want consistency and equal treatment. Be sure you have a perspective on equal versus fair though. Should a new hire be held to the same equal standards of performance as a senior peer in a similar role? Should someone be given time...



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Burn Out and How to Recover Faster

Career burnout is in no shortage in America, catch it early and recover quick with these tips. Today’s post is by thoughtLEADERS principal Jon Wortmann. How tired are you? I ask because even if you practice the best self-care, set boundaries with your time, and manage your exposure to the inevitable conflicts and stress of working with people, you get tired. Performers, leaders, and managers who want to succeed and win will inevitably have tired days. The problem with tired is that it can also go too far. Are you so tired you are burned out? I have had the privilege of working with diverse school districts and education leaders over the past decade. In preparation for one of my workshops I came across this study. Summary: 93% of the elementary school teachers surveyed were stressed,...



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How and Why You Should Prepare for More Women in the Workforce

More women in the workforce will impact your culture and leadership. Understanding the needs of this new model will put you far ahead of your competition.   Today’s post is by Andreas Wilderer, author of Lean On (CLICK HERE to get your copy). The number of women in the American workforce has now edged past the number of men for only the second time ever, according to a recent Washington Post article, and we have reason to believe this trend is here to stay. In fact, in 2016 and 2017 the number of women receiving bachelor’s degrees surpassed men by 14 percent. Meanwhile, over the last 30 years, the percentage of stay-at-home dads has also risen. In the U.S. these numbers have steadily increased from 4 percent to 7 percent, according to the Pew Research Center. In Canada reports show that...



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How do you handle distractions that break your concentration and focus?

Our reader poll today asks: How do you handle distractions that break your concentration and focus? I ignore them as best I can and press on: 14.75% I accept the interruption, take a break, then get back to work: 76.75% Nothing ever distracts me enough to break concentration: 1.89% I completely lose focus and give up on the task for a long time: 6.61% Deal with it and move on. Interruptions are a part of life and they’re pervasive both at work and at home (especially when working from home). The vast majority of you see them as a cue to take a break then get back to work. Just be careful that it doesn’t sap your productivity. Do what you can to minimize interruptions because you’re not only giving up the time of the break but also time to get your mind back in the mode...



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Applying Storytelling to Leadership

Paul Smith, thoughtLEADERS Principal, sat down with Jim and Jan of The Leadership Podcast to discuss storytelling and how it can apply to your leadership ability and skill In continuation of our new collaboration with The Leadership Podcast, Paul breaks down just how storytelling can make you a better leader in this short form “chalk talk.” These chalk talk series are bitesize sessions on a common (but challenging) leadership issue. Paul gives Jim and Jan some background on the current renaissance and rediscovery that is happening in relation to the power of storytelling, and the distancing away from the heavy focus on analytics that happened around the same time as the expansion of the digital age, and the return to a more human-centered approach. Paul elaborates on the...



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5 Skills to Master High-Stakes Communication

Communication is not only a necessary skill, but it can be the difference between getting the job, saving your company millions, and ultimate workplace harmony. Today’s post is by Katy Kvalvik. To be an effective leader, you must be an effective communicator. To be an effective communicator, you must believe in the value of every conversation. Improving the way you communicate can evoke a greater connection in all of your personal relationships and have a positive impact on your professional interactions. According to a new worldwide survey, communication is one of the most highly prized soft skills for talent today. When the stakes are high, solidify your role as a team player, problem-solver, or indispensable leader by honing these five essential communication skills: Listen and Be...



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What is the biggest impediment to you making a big change in the way you work?

Our reader poll today asks: What is the biggest impediment to you making a big change in the way you work? I like my routine and simply don’t want to change. 16.10% I don’t know how to make the required changes. 9.52% People around me refuse to change with me. 20.49% I’m afraid to change. I might fail or things won’t go well. 6.82% I don’t have the resources I need to make the change. 17.56% I love change and always embrace it. 29.51% Many obstacles to change. There isn’t a dominant reason for change resistance, apparently. Sometimes it’s our desire for routine or it’s others’ desires not to change. Whatever the reason for change resistance, identify it, give it a name, and compare the cost of not changing with what the value of the...



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Transforming Misunderstanding Into Trust

Devin Singh, thoughtLEADERS Principal, sat down with Jim and Jan of The Leadership Podcast to discuss his thoughts on transforming misunderstanding. In continuation of our new collaboration with The Leadership Podcast, Devin gives his tips and tricks for transforming misunderstanding into trust in this short form “chalk talk.” These chalk talk series are bitesize sessions on a common (but challenging) leadership issue. Misunderstanding is not an uncommon part of any environment, especially business, but Devin breaks down that we have tools to break down these misunderstandings and how it can lead to greater innovation, happier workplaces, and deeper relationships. Jim and Jan ask Devin where he starts when he is working through this course material with people, asking if he...



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Why Authentic Leadership Matters

The difference between a good leader and a great leader may be their ability to be authentic. Today’s post is by Katy McQuaid, author of Everybody Loves Grace (CLICK HERE to get your copy). If you’ve ever worked with an authentic leader, you understand how empowering it can be.  Authentic leaders aren’t very common and once you’ve worked with one, you’ll never want to work with anyone but an authentic leader again. Why is that?  Because authentic leaders are self-aware, genuine and they lead from the heart – they bring out the best in people. Most importantly, they can be counted on to do the right thing because they know their core values and live by them.  Authentic leaders create an environment where their values are known and they are willing to be held accountable to them; they are...



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