While doing a little Sunday morning reading this weekend past, I stumbled across an interesting study conducted by the University of British Columbia in 2011. Their paper, A Social Context Model of Envy and Social Undermining, revealed the components necessary for sabotaging a coworker. Sabotage can include spreading rumors, withholding important information, or secretly sabotaging
It’s time for the first ever installment of “Skills every remodeler should have, but don’t think it’s very important, so they don’t take the time to figure out how to do it.” (It’s a working title.) Let’s kick off this series with the burning question, “How can I remember people’s names?” – something every remodeler should know
It is 10:45 A.M., May 8. The six of you are standing together somewhere in the Mojave Desert in the Southwest United States. You are looking at the charred remains of the twin-engine plane you were riding in 20 minutes ago. Identify your four greatest problems and the best strategy for your survival. Then, decide
We know that many company-owners face the challenge of getting the best out of their employees. Linda Case provides helps you can hone your leadership skills with volunteer employees. At a recent Remodelers Executive Roundtable meeting 12 highly successful remodelers were discussing how they could hone their leadership skills. I asked each attendee to think
You probably feel that you shouldn’t have to “babysit” your employees. After all, the people that have been hired are all professionals. They know what has to be done. They don’t need monitoring, right? Is this a realistic . . .or an effective point of view? Remember, there’s a big difference between being a good
Again and again as I consult with remodeling companies, I recommend the same action to cure many of their ills. And again and again, they report major improvements when they follow this relatively simple advice. The problem is that many of the companies have outgrown their management structure and yet have staff on board –
I was reading a very interesting story in The Washington Post the other day. It was written by an experienced, highly-ranked teacher who had recently left one school for another. Here’s what she said, “When I was rated “highly effective,” I received a one-time bonus of $15,000. While the extra money was welcome, there were
Do you automatically turn to the classified ads when you have a new job opening? Unfortunately everyone else in town is doing the same. Most applicants reached through the classified ads are currently unemployed or already have an agreement to leave their firms at a specified time. Thus the classified ad pool of workers
Resumes can be loaded with information if you know what to look for and, just like first impressions are very important in face-to-face meetings, the same is true with resumes. For example, when you receive a resume from a Lead Carpenter candidate, keep in mind that this candidate is a “hands -on” person and usually
Bench Strength — Definition: The competence and number of employees ready to fill vacant leadership and other positions. Do you have employees in the wings to take on more leadership if the business needs it? This need could develop because the company has grown and needs additional skilled managers . . . or because an
