4 Steps to Managing Difficult Personalities

Posted by & filed under Accountability, Communicating To Manage Performance, Communication, Conflict, Conflict Resolution, Leadership.

Conflict is a natural aspect of workplace dynamics, but it can quickly turn toxic if employees can’t find a way to work together. Managing difficult personalities in a way that is effective, compassionate, and respectful of differences is no easy task. Often, the source of ongoing discord isn’t a single situation but friction between personalities (either between peers… Read more »

The DiSC Assessment Demystified

Posted by & filed under Communicating To Manage Performance, DISC Personality Styles, increasing personal effectiveness, Personal Effectiveness.

At Employee Development Systems, Inc., many of our training and development solutions begin with the DiSC assessment. The DiSC is, at its most simple, a personality test geared toward workplace dynamics. Like many other personality tests, it’s meant to help people understand how they interact with others and how they’re likely to respond to different situations… Read more »

Three Steps for Managing Extroverts

Posted by & filed under Communicating To Manage Performance, Conflict, DISC Personality Styles, Leadership, Performance Management.

At first glance, extroverts can seem like ideal employees. They’re affable, personable, and love being at the forefront of any issue to be discussed or problem to be solved. But at times, extroverts can come across as domineering or reckless, jumping into situations or conversations and possibly intimidating more introverted clients and colleagues. What are the best… Read more »

How to Help Introverts Succeed on Your Team

Posted by & filed under Communicating To Manage Performance, Communication, Conflict, Conflict Resolution, DISC Personality Styles, Leadership, Performance Management.

Last week, we touched on the impact that introverts and extrovert can have in leadership. (Recap: it’s not as important as you might think, but it does require mindfulness and different leadership techniques.) But whether you or your managers are introverts or extroverts, it’s fairly safe to say that your team will most likely be made… Read more »

Practice Innovation to Foster Leadership Credibility

Posted by & filed under Communicating To Manage Performance, innovation, Leadership.

When we think of leadership credibility, the first qualities that often come to mind are trust, honesty, and respect. And with good reason: these qualities are the bedrock of any strong relationship between a leader and his or her team. But another important characteristic of credible leadership is the ability to anticipate and adapt to change…. Read more »

Leadership Style Series, Part 3: Transactional Leaders as Managers

Posted by & filed under Communicating To Manage Performance, Leadership.

Transactional leaders are those who are more focused on the immediate, day-to-day goals of a group and its members. Rather than focusing too far in the future or inspiring team members to “think outside the box,” these leaders are less concerned with strategy or innovation than meeting benchmarks and maintaining the status quo. The Traits… Read more »

Want Employee Engagement? Create a Culture of Listening

Posted by & filed under Active Listening, Communicating To Manage Performance, Feedback, Leadership.

It’s no surprise by now that engaged employees are the “secret sauce” to a company’s productivity, performance, and overall success. When team members feel invested in company culture, they find personal meaning in their work. This often translates to better outcomes as they’re more responsive to challenges and can foresee and head off potential problems… Read more »

Only Human: When Leaders Fail

Posted by & filed under Communicating To Manage Performance, Communication, Leadership, Work Life Balance.

Leadership failure happens at times to everyone. From General Custer’s Battle of Little Bighorn to Abraham Lincoln’s less-than-impressive military career to Margaret Thatcher’s poll tax, even very high-profile, famous leaders suffered from some fairly major failure at some point in their careers. Failure in leadership can actually happen a lot easier than we think – even to those we see as… Read more »

6 Quick Tips to Improve Your Professional Presence

Posted by & filed under Accountability, Active Listening, Career Development, Communicating To Manage Performance, Communication, Conflict, Corporate Culture, Employee Development, increasing personal effectiveness, Leadership, Professional Presence in a Casual World.

In today’s busy lifestyle, whether at the office, at your favorite social function, or even at the grocery store, it is very important for you to exude professional presence in public. A professional presence will help you to achieve many of your goals, e.g., getting that budget approved, being calm and poised during meetings, and… Read more »