Two and a Half Cheers for Efficiency
Let’s pause before reflexively pooh-poohing efficiency. Like any organizational principle, it’s vulnerable to abuse -- but it’s an essential leadership and management principle nonetheless.
Managing the Agenda, Part 2: On Being a Meeting Nazi
Meeting agendas do not manage themselves. Leaders have to manage them -- consciously and strategically.
Managing the Agenda, Part 1: The Person Standing in Front of You Is Not More Important Than the People Who Are Not
An effective leader manages and makes decisions according to principle, not personality.
The Difficult But Essential Work of Making People Unhappy
Leaders must care about the feelings of their employees. But leaders can’t let their decision-making be driven by the feelings of their employees.
Ask for the Receipts
Referring to evidence isn't the same thing as supplying evidence. When one of your employees makes _reference_ to evidence, ask to _see_ the evidence.
Keep Your Supporters Close, and Your Naysayers Closer
Compulsive naysayers are not always wrong – and sometimes they see realities that neither you nor your more compliant and agreeable employees see. And they can save you time.