People Skills: Not More Of That “Touchy-Feely” Stuff!

Organizational development efforts that involve improving people skills often bring resistance. The raised eyebrows, folded arms, stiff half smile or other skeptical body language of doubting managers say the following: Not more of that touchy-feely stuff!  Resistance and skepticism come with the territory, however.  HR professionals, consultants and trainers frequently have to address this resistance before meaningful…

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Observation for Innovative and Creative Problem Solving

How to Improve Innovation Let’s face it busy operational managers and senior leaders need solutions!  They recognize that today ordinary, quick-fix solutions have limited benefit in an environment where constant change is routine.  These managers and leaders want innovative solutions to the problems they face in the workplace.  In working with business professionals, I often…

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Abandonment for Innovative and Creative Problem Solving

Empty Meeting Room

Maybe You Need to Take a Break From Your Problem Sometimes the best strategy for solving a difficult problem is to leave it alone. This advice can be hard to accept for the hard-driven, results oriented manager.  It is still good advice however.  Giving ourselves (and our teams) a rest from solving a difficult problem…

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To Innovate You Must Experiment and Fail!

If you have an organization where people are scared of failing that they won’t take the risk of learning something new, you don’t get the innovation that’s required to grow. Gary Smith This quote from Gary, the CEO of Ciena Corporation, is a great reminder that mistakes are opportunities in disguise.  On his way to greatness,…

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