Key Takeaways: Company culture is built through norms — and you see it most clearly when they’re tested. The norms a group follows will either support adaptability or reinforce resistance when change is needed. Consistency is what makes culture work. Clear norms create reliability and structure — but over time, they can also make change harder. People resist change because…
This article was originally published by Fast Company. I was recently asked to come speak with a business that was struggling in a down market. “Everything is just really hard right now,” the leader told me. “People are down, and we could use some advice on what to do.” We have all been on both sides of this kind of…
Who was the best boss you ever had? And why did you like them? I have asked dozens of people these questions. It’s an interesting way to learn about someone and sometimes a good conversation starter. But I have noticed that I almost always get some version of the same answer. The vast majority of people reminisce about a boss…
“I need a vacation from my vacation!” Have you ever used that phrase? I know I have. On the way back from a trip that was supposed to be relaxing and fun, I’m so exhausted that I feel like I need another vacation to rest up before getting back into my normal work routine. As we head into summer with…
Any education expert will tell you that retention of information is much greater with experiential learning than from lecture, reading or any other form of teaching. Yet it seems that often in the business world when we think about how to develop potential leaders, we focus on only the knowledge that they must attain through some sort of formal course.…