Work Happy: What Great Bosses Know

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.

 

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.

 

 

I write this message, knowing it just might offend you -- but it's a risk worth taking. Here goes:

 

 

Why talk about biases? Because they are real and we all have them. We're also in denial about them. Research says we think of ourselves as more principled and ethical than we really are. It's human nature.

 

That's why I wrote a column for Poynter.org that lists six dangerous biases that bedevil managers. I candidly share how a few them affected me and what I learned from them. If you want to build your credibility as a leader, check out this link for the column and podcast of "Six Dangerous Biases of Bosses."

 

That might sound like a bold promise -- but I mean it!  Our one-day Great Bosses Boot Camp on November 15 will help you develop key management and leadership skills.

 

We pack a lot into one day because we focus on the topics managers tell us are most important to their success -- some of their biggest challenges that deal with performance management.

 

Who's welcome at the Boot Camp?  Managers from all professions: Business, government, education, non-profits; If you are responsible for the work of other good folks, you're a good fit for this class.  Here's a link to info and applications.  And there's a bonus: Everyone who takes part in the class gets a copy of WORK HAPPY: WHAT GREAT BOSSES KNOW.

 

 

The second bonus: It will take place in a fun and interactive environment at Poynter's wonderful campus in St. Petersburg, Florida.

We'll cover the feedback, motivation, tough conversations, managing time and priorities -- and how great bosses do it right!

One of the most important and underutilized management tools is feedback.  That's why I devote several chapters of "WORK HAPPY: WHAT GREAT BOSSES KNOW" to feedback of all varieties and how to deliver it.

I define feedback as:

Information with Intent to Influence

Just think about all the things feedback can influence: productivity, quality, motivation, morale, team-building, relationships, and risk-taking. When you consider that, it's a shame employees say time and again that they're hungry for feedback but fail to get it.

In a column and podcast today for Poynter.org, I share advice on how to close the feedback gap.  Just click on this link -- and feel free to send me YOUR feedback! -- Jill

     

It's much easier for managers to give positive feedback than to tackle those tough conversations that are such an important part of the job.   That's  why Chapter 10 of "WORK HAPPY: WHAT GREAT BOSSES KNOW" is titled "You Can't Be Too Nice for a Tough Conversation." On July 11, at 2pm ET, we're going to share some of the key lessons of that chapter -- and much more --  in a live webinar. I'll  guide you through a step-by-step process that helps you deal with challenging conversations and deliver positive results.  To register for the webinar on Poynter's NewsU, just click on this link: Here's what we will cover in the session:

Colleagues who have written books warned me about it -- the "Amazon-check" habit that authors develop when a book is published.  Now I know why.  Every now and then there's the joyful discovery like today's.  This is the business management section of the Kindle store, where "WORK HAPPY: WHAT GREAT BOSSES KNOW" has found its way to #1 today.  It's a wonderful milestone, for however long it may last.  What's really important is that people may be investing in some critical training; new ideas to help them build positive and powerful workplace cultures. If you happen to be one of those who helped nudge the book up the list today, my sincere thanks to you.  Please feel free to share your feedback -- either here on this site, on the "WORK HAPPY: WHAT GREAT BOSSES KNOW" Facebook page. Some people have been sending me photos of themselves with their books, and I've been posting them to the Facebook page.  Join us!