Starting a Conversation with a Stranger – The C.A.T.S.I. Framework
Three things that intimidate me: If you are like me, I can’t help you with the first two, but for the third one—meeting new people for the first time—I created a clever little strategy to help me not only start a conversation but also build a connection with someone that I’m meeting for the first […]
The Ivy Lee Method of Time Management
Have you ever felt your unofficial motto is “I’ll do it later”? If you’re nodding your head, you’re not alone. Time management often feels like squeezing a sleeping bag back into its tiny bag — seemingly impossible. But fear not, because I’m here to guide you through mastering time management and introduce you to your […]
4 Questions Every Strategy Retreat Should Answer
You have an upcoming team strategy retreat but don’t have an agenda yet. Don’t worry; I’ve got you covered! You want to make it valuable, worthwhile, and productive, but you’ve never run a strategy retreat. Don’t worry; I’ve got you covered! Several years ago, I was elected to the board of the National Speakers Association […]
How to Create a Simple Budget for Your Organization
$20 for food. $10 for technology. Which leaves…$150 for me! If only budget creation were as simple as playing with Monopoly money. However, I’m the guy in Monopoly who buys hotels on Park Place but has zero cash in my bank. While Monopoly money won’t actually buy you anything in real life, a well-constructed budget […]
How To Set S.M.A.R.T. Goals
“What’s your personal goal?” I asked him. “To go to the gym,” he responded. “Great! How many times?” I asked. “Three times per week,” he responded. “Great! For how long?” “45 minutes.” “Great! Is that 45 minutes for all three sessions or 45 minutes per session?” “Each session.” “Great! Lastly, is this something you’ll have […]
How to Run an Effective Brainstorming Session
Have you ever been in a brainstorming session that felt more like a brain-draining session? Brainstorming sessions get a bad rap, but the end result of a great brainstorming session is exactly what leaders want: Creative ideas, team bonding, and new energy. But most people are bad at running brainstorming sessions because no one ever […]
How to Delegate Work To Your Team
So you aspire to be a leader, huh? Well, the only way to achieve leadership is by guiding others to accomplish tasks. This means, at some point, you will need to delegate work to others. Great leaders are adept at delegation. Renowned leadership expert John C. Maxwell once said, “If you want to do a […]
How to Achieve Perfect Team Alignment in Three Simple Steps
Teamwork makes the dream work! Can I see a show of hands, how many of you resonate with that phrase? Only a few hands are going up. Some of you may be recalling your school days, cringing at the memory of group projects. Well, for better or worse, group projects are a part of our […]
What Are Hygienic Motivators, and Why Are They Crucial for Team Retention?
They call it a flash fire because the fire happens so fast. That’s what it felt like when the group’s manager asked for feedback on ways management could better support their employees. With 400 people in the room, you can see how quickly the venting session ramped up and soured the mood in the room. […]
Creating an Effective Onboarding Process for New Members in Your Organization
Keep burning your cash in the bonfire, or create a successful onboarding/orientation program for your new people and watch retention rates skyrocket. Considering the fact that 50% of all hourly workers leave new jobs within the first 120 days and what a student does within the first 90 days of entering college determines their behavior […]