Working for a troublesome boss can be nothing short of miserable. A less-than-competent manager can depress your morale, deflate your productivity, and flatten your motivation. But you don’t have to feel helpless. And looking for another job doesn’t have to be your go-to option. You can improve your situation by working better with the boss…
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You’ve heard it said and you know it’s true: People don’t quit jobs, they quit bosses. For many people, the primary ingredient in job satisfaction is not the quality of food in the lunchroom. It’s not the office layout or equipment. It’s not even the workload, salary, or benefits. It’s the relationship with the boss.…
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Dollar General is an American success story. Founded in 1939 by a dirt-farmer-turned-entrepreneur, the retailer now has more than 14,000 stores and generates $20 billion in annual revenue. Originally a Depression-era general store closeout business, the company adopted a game-changing dollar price point strategy that’s made it one of the most ubiquitous retailers in the…
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Let’s be honest. People often sing the praises of training. But when times get tough, the training budget is usually the first to be slashed. Why? Because although training may receive nice ”smile sheet” feedback, it often provides little if any measurable return on investment. It doesn’t stick. ATD, the world’s leading group of workplace…
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Trying to create change without the engagement of key stakeholders is as risky as a one-man band trying to imitate an orchestra. Don’t kid yourself. The change you try to orchestrate in your workplace does not occur in isolation. No matter how brilliant your ideas may be, no matter how compelling your case for action,…
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“Accountability” is among the top two or three concerns of senior executives. Accountability has various definitions, but the word is usually used to denote personal responsibility for getting desired results. It’s an admirable idea, and all good managers and leaders want their people to be “accountable.” Of course accountability doesn’t apply only to rank and…
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Everyone wants a great workplace. An environment where the work is both interesting and challenging. Where people collaborate to promote the worthy cause of terrific products or make-a-difference services. Where careers blossom and the bottom line thrives. For more than two decades, Great Place to Work has produced annual lists of the 100 Best Companies…
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It seems that “success literature” has been around for ages. Literally. The Art of War by Sun Tzu was written in the 6th century BC. Walk into any bookstore today, or cruise the Internet, and you’ll find truckloads of advice on how to think, how to get rich, how to make and keep friends, how to earn and…
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Most leaders want to be liked and respected. They also want to inspire high performance. Fortunately, both are possible simultaneously. But it doesn’t happen without mindful attention to engagement. And engagement is all about learning curves. Backed by more than 20 years of research, consulting and coaching, Whitney Johnson has plenty of hands-on experience working with…
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