Mike Figliuolo's Blog, page 9

How does your organization approach things when someone is on vacation?

Our reader poll today asks: How does your organization approach things when someone is on vacation?

We proactively avoid bothering them and prevent them from engaging with work 18.22%We avoid bothering them unless there’s a crisis 54.26%We email and message them but if they don’t answer, that’s fine 17.41%We email and message and expect responses in a reasonable time 6.47%What vacation?

Read the rest of this post at thoughtLEADERS, LLC: Leadership Training for the Real World.

How to Break Big Problems Into Small Ones

 

When you take big problems and spend the time break them into smaller and smaller ones, those smaller problems are much easier to solve. 

One of the first steps in any good critical thinking process is taking a very big problem and breaking it down into smaller ones that you can actually solve. The time you invest thinking through what the components of the problem are is going to pay dividends on the backend when you look at the possible solutions because you’ll have a better sense for what recommendations and solutions to pursue and how those solutions help you solve the bigger problem.

Read the rest of this post at thoughtLEADERS, LLC: Leadership Training for the Real World.

What? You’re Leaving Me?

When a top employee resigns, how should a leader respond? Discover best leadership practices for handling transitions with integrity and support.

Today’s guest post is by Mark C. Fava, author of “LESSONS FROM THE ADMIRAL: Naval Wisdom and Sea Stories for Leaders”

You have trained and mentored an employee for years. You have invested time and money to ensure their development, success, and future. You have poured your soul and wisdom into them.

Read the rest of this post at thoughtLEADERS, LLC: Leadership Training for the Real World.

How frequently does your organization undergo major reorganizations?

Our reader poll today asks: How frequently does your organization undergo major reorganizations?

Constantly. It happens multiple times per year 9.60%Regularly. At least once a year 19.20%Sometimes. Usually every couple of years 41.91%Rarely. I can’t remember the last time we reorganized 29.29%

Not Mixing Things Up.

Read the rest of this post at thoughtLEADERS, LLC: Leadership Training for the Real World.

What Goldilocks Can Teach Us About Leadership

 

Learn three valuable leadership lessons from the classic fairy tale, Goldilocks and the Three Bears.

Today’s guest post is by Lida Citroën, author of “The New Rules of Influence: How to Authentically Build Trust, Drive Change, and Make an Impact.”

Think back to the 19th-century children’s fable, Goldilocks and the Three Bears. A young girl, lost in the woods, stumbles upon a home that just happens to belong to a family of bears.

Read the rest of this post at thoughtLEADERS, LLC: Leadership Training for the Real World.

7 Tips for Dealing With Irate Customers

Dealing with angry customers can be one of the greatest challenges you face.  Here are 7 tips for dealing with those difficult situations gracefully and effectively.

Today’s post is by Mark Goulston, author of “Just Listen: Discover the Secret to Getting Through to Absolutely Anyone”

One of the things that all irate customers have in common is that they have an attitude that says “I rate better service than this and now that I have you on the phone, you’re going to pay for it!” And one of the other things about them that gets to you is you feel unjustly accused of having done this to them and that can make it difficult to remain calm.

Read the rest of this post at thoughtLEADERS, LLC: Leadership Training for the Real World.

How do you handle it when a team member talks about someone behind their back?

Our reader poll today asks: How do you handle it when a team member talks about someone behind their back?

I immediately tell them it’s inappropriate and shut down the conversation 12.21%I listen to their complaint then instruct them to take it up with that person 69.96%I engage in the conversation and sometimes join the complaining 5.63%I let them speak their mind but basically ignore it 12.20%

Beware of Tacit Approval.

Read the rest of this post at thoughtLEADERS, LLC: Leadership Training for the Real World.

The Importance of Critical Thinking

Critical thinking helps you truly understand the problems you are facing and how to solve them.

Let’s look at the importance of critical thinking. So many times when people ask us can you solve this problem, we rush off and start solving it without stopping to think before we do. We’re facing new demands that require extensive amounts of information before we can make a decision.

As part of your problem solving process, there are going to be multiple stakeholders involved. 

Read the rest of this post at thoughtLEADERS, LLC: Leadership Training for the Real World.

What Goldilocks Can Teach Us About Leadership

 

Learn three valuable leadership lessons from the classic fairy tale, Goldilocks and the Three Bears.

Today’s guest post is by Lida Citroën, author of “The New Rules of Influence: How to Authentically Build Trust, Drive Change, and Make an Impact.”

Think back to the 19th-century children’s fable, Goldilocks and the Three Bears. A young girl, lost in the woods, stumbles upon a home that just happens to belong to a family of bears.

Read the rest of this post at thoughtLEADERS, LLC: Leadership Training for the Real World.

How well do you celebrate your team members’ success?

Our reader poll today asks: How well do you celebrate your team members’ success?

Extremely: I always find ways to praise and celebrate them regularly 23.17%Very: I often find ways to praise and celebrate their success 40.68%Somewhat: I celebrate them but could do so more frequently 28.82% Not very: I tend to only celebrate big milestones 5.64%Not at all: I barely spend time celebrating team member success 1.69%

Let them know you notice.

Read the rest of this post at thoughtLEADERS, LLC: Leadership Training for the Real World.