Relationships

Leadership Rounding – A great example of how leading leaders is different

Talent management is about great conversations. Rounding is one of those conversations that has been used in the healthcare setting. Here is a video from the Studer Group on rounding that does a great job on explaining how leaders and followers can make the most of their time together. Check it out – and find a way to let your leadership teams use it.

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Friday Fun – The cumulative effect of Happy moments . . .

Happiness research tells us it is not the big things, but the cumulative effect of little moments that matters. If we impact each other in positive ways, then lots of good things happen in our teams and our business. Fridays are not the only day to smile, but a good day to try some purposeful things to impact the lives of others. This is talent management, and it is fun.

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Companies are Like People, Our Culture Defines the Relationship – Tips for doing it well

A big part of talent management is getting people to trust us so that the conversations we have are laced with truth and transperancy. Onboarding is the moment when we first meet our new employees, and the time when we have to realize that building that trust as leaders and peers is critical. An effective talent management program depends on the trust developed in onboarding. Here are some tips for doing it well.

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Three Ways to Make Recognition a Habit, 1 Thing to Avoid

Talent management is about getting people to feel good about what they are doing, focused on some clear outcomes, and getting things done that they can point at with pride. This is engagement. Recognition programs gone the wrong way end up with a powerpoint slideshow or a physcial ‘recognition toolkit’ that become symbols of checking the box, not engaging the heart.

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Introversion (TED video) and trUYou

Talent management is about having conversations. It is also about people bringing self awareness to the conversation and using that information to have a more effective conversation. This post uses a TED talk about introversion to explore what we (leaders and followers) need to do to make this a rich conversation. Great talent management is enabled by self awareness.

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What does my leader do . . .

Much is made about all the responsibilities a leader has, yet many of those go unseen by people that might benefit from knowing. People would probably be surprised by all the things a leader has to deal with, and if they knew they might be able to help. This post uses a letter sent my a worried family member to a the leader of an artillery battery to make the point and remind us some of the responbilities of a leader have not changed much.

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A great question to end your week (or your meeting)

What are you most proud of. Talent management and leadership is about understanding people and engaging them in the process and problems of running an organization. Of getting work done. Here is a question to renew energy and share what matters to them.

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Onboarding Equation . . and 4 Ways to Influence it

Talent management is a lot of things, but great conversations during transition is a big part of it. Chip Conley shares an equation in his book Emotional Equations that captures the essence of Selection AND Onboarding the right way. Whether it is an internal leadership transition or a new hire, use this formula to manage your talent to a successful start.

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A Hmmm # for leaders – What’s in your mail?

What is the impact of a personal note from a leader? Part of talent management is effectively connecting with your people and showing them that you care. Based on a recently published article, the mail is where you will have the least competition for their attention. People love letters!

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Universal truths: Leadership, Parenting . . . and conflict

Professional development and talent management is often focused on the skills we need at work. Many of those same skills apply to our lifes/roles outside of work. I was reminded of that recently when I went to a parenting seminar and learned something that most leaders need to know – managing conflict and teaching your children to do it well.

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Leadership: The Power (And Trap) Of Non-Verbals

Leaders need to understand non-verbals, and they need to be comfortable and competent in using that information to have a richer conversation. The Birkman method is one reminder/tool I use to help leaders see that what is happening on the outside is not necessarily what is happening on the inside.

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An Interview and Book Giveaway with Leadership Expert & Author David Baker

David C. Baker wrote a book to help new managers be successful. In it he shares lots of very practical advice for leading well and learning as you go. Leadership development and talent management (leveraging/developing your people) are part of being a leader, and this book does a nice job showing the practical steps of how a new manager can do it well. Here is my interview with the author and some reflections on the book.

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