Do you have star players on your team? I hope so. It can mean that you've hired well, or trained well, or retained well. If you're a great boss, your stars play well with others, too. They may demand a bit more from you because they've earned it, but their demands are reasonable.
Unfortunately, some managers are intimidated by star performers and don't step up to the management challenge. When stars become sacred cows, bad things can happen in organizations. That's what I wrote about in my most recent "What Great Bosses Know" column for Poynter.org.
If you'd like tips on how to get the most out of your star performers and avoid the pitfalls,
just click on this link.
November 5, 2014
"Jill Geisler", "work happy: what great bosses know", leadership, management, stars, success
A few months ago, I was contacted by the HR department of the
New Brunswick Community College in Canada. The college was developing a curriculum for its planned Management Academy and had selected
"Work Happy: What Great Bosses Know" as its primary text. The kickoff was to take place in October, and I was invited to lead the workshop in person.
How could I resist an invitation like that? When I wrote the book, it had always been my hope that organizations would use it just this way. I was more than happy to help NBCC develop and facilitate the learning.
We met on October 23rd and 24th in St. John. It was rainy and gray outside but warm and positive inside the conference center. I worked with the group on leadership fundamentals, coaching, feedback and tough conversations. Nearly 100 managers attended, and they jumped into the conversations and exercises with enthusiasm. It was clear to me that they care deeply about leadership.
This is group shot with Colleen, Nina and Suzanne - -the HR brain trust behind the Academy.
And this is the president of the NBCC, after the group surprised me with a gift: a framed picture of the cover of my book and the logo of the NBCC Management Academy!
This wasn't just a two-day program. It's the start of a long-term commitment to the managers of NBCC for continuous learning, providing practical management and leadership tools.
October 26, 2014
"Jill Geisler", "New Brusnwick Community College", "work happy: what great bosses know", "work happy", Coaching, feedback, leadership, management, NBCC
Fourteen years ago, I developed the Poynter Leadership Academy, a large-scale program that draws high-potential leaders from across the world to the Poynter Institute. It's our most ambitious leadership program, which calls on the talents of nearly every faculty member.
This year's group was just a delight. During the week, they received feedback on their leadership skills and challenges, studied performance management, motivation, leading creative people, coaching, time management, diversity, tough conversations, critical thinking and the effective use of using social media.
Each Academy features a keynote called The Naughton Lecture, named in honor of Poynter's late, beloved president Jim Naughton. This year's speaker was Rob King, senior VP of ESPN SportsCenter and News. As you can see from these photos captured by my colleague, Kenny Irby, Rob is a dynamic speaker -- and leader.
Rob shared his
personal journey as a leader as well as a parent. He pointed out the number of times he simply had to take a leap of faith that everything would turn out all right, even in the face of uncertainty. Rob's upbeat message about optimism and self-confidence in the face of change and challenge truly resonated with the class.
October 18, 2014
"Jill Geisler", "Rob King" "Kenny Irby", "work happy: what great bosses know", feedback, leadership, management, poynter
How's this for an assignment? On Friday October 10, I served as moderator for the Wisconsin gubernatorial debate between incumbent Governor Scott Walker and challenger Mary Burke. It was held in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. It was an honor to be invited to help guide this historic event. The race is being closely watched, in my very divided home state. The debate was carried on more than 100 TV and radio stations in Wisconsin and carried nationally on C-Span.
Here's a link to C-Span's broadcast of the event, in case you'd like to see it for yourself.
October 11, 2014
"Jill Geisler", "work happy: what great bosses know", gubernatorial debate, leadership, management
I learn something whenever I teach leadership workshops. That's because I believe there's already abundant wisdom already in the room. It was certainly the case when I led a week-long leadership and coaching program for journalists from around the world. As you can see from the class picture, it was a smart, diverse, fun group.
One of the participants, E.S. Isaac of India, made an impression on everyone. His wisdom and warm smile lifted us all. Isaac has a deep belief in the power of listening.
Isaac inherited that belief from his father, a man who had no formal education, who was illiterate for much of his life, and yet was a formidable teacher. He gently schooled Isaac on the priceless value of listening. Now, your parents and mine may have tried to tell us to listen, but I bet the message was not quite as magical as this. Listen for yourself as Isaac tells the story:
You can read more about Isaac and see a photo of his family in a column I wrote for Poynter.org.
Just click here.
October 2, 2014
"Jill Geisler", "work happy: what great bosses know", Coaching, leadership, listening, management
My book, columns and podcasts have connected me with leaders all across the world. Most recently, I was contacted by Rhian Morgan, writing for the Institute for Leadership and Management in the United Kingdom.
Rhian sent me a great list of questions, dug back into some of my columns, and wrote this combination profile/interview for ILM. It's called:
"Women in Leadership: A Culture of Coaching." We discussed women's skills and values as leaders, the importance of coaching, and the essentials of power and influence.
Here's a link to the story.
September 17, 2014
"Jill Geisler", "work happy: what great bosses know", "work happy", Coaching, ILM, leadership, management, Rhian Morgan
This is a class picture -- one I'm delighted to share. I had the joy of helping lead The Minority Leadership Institute of the American Society of News Editors during the ASNE/APME convention in Chicago. ASNE identified up-and-coming journalists who are currently serving as managers, or whose organizations see them as on the cusp of that important role.
Over the course of two packed days, we covered leadership skills and values, performance management, communication, motivation, collaboration and business issues. It was a privilege to be in their company -- and to help ensure that high-potential people get training early, to help them succeed. Kudos to ASNE for this investment.
September 17, 2014
"Jill Geisler", "work happy: what great bosses know", APME, ASNE, leadership, management, minority
People sometimes tell me they hold back on taking initiative or responsibility beyond their current role, because they don't want to overstep their boundaries. I respect that concern. I also think people can be overly cautious and talk themselves out of acts of leadership.
There's a big difference between taking over, butting in, grabbing power -- and simply stepping up. That's what leaders do. They step up. Carefully. Collaboratively. Considerately. I think there are four ways you can be seen as a leader, no matter what your title.
I lay out those four in a column and podcast just published on Poynter.org. A simple
click on this link will take you right to the column. Hope you enjoy -- and keep leading!
July 29, 2014
"Jill Geisler", "work happy: what great bosses know", leadership, management, poynter
