Management Archives

Organizational Alignment: Fixing a Misaligned Company

What is organizational alignment? What are the signs that a company is “misaligned”? Organizational alignment refers to the degree to which different functions and departments of an organization are aligned in four key components: 1) strategic direction, 2) structure, 3) core processes, and 4) skill bases. When there is tension between any of these facets, the business cannot thrive. In this article, we’ll discuss the four components of organizational alignment, how to diagnose misalignments between them, and how to approach alignment efforts systematically.

10 Tips for the First 90 Days in a New Job

Stepping into a new role? What are some things you should do to hit the ground running? The first 90 days in a new job present an opportunity for you to effectively and efficiently move towards the “break-even point.” The break-even point is the juncture at which you have given as much to a role or to a team as you have received from it. To expedite your journey towards the break-even point, follow these ten principles by Michael D. Watkins.

Early Wins: How to Gain Recognition in Your New Role

Have you just been appointed a new role? Do you want to do something impressive to prove yourself to the higher-ups? According to Michael Watkins, the author of The First 90 Days, the best way to get noticed and, more importantly, recognized is to secure some “early wins.” This will prop up your credibility and provide an opportunity to invest in key relationships that will be essential for a successful transition. In this article, we’ll discuss how to identify areas for early wins and how to implement them effectively.

Build an Effective Team: Learn From Google’s Example

What ingredients do you need to build an effective team? What can be learned from Google’s experience? In the early 2010s, Google began to research how to build an effective team. They learned that teams should have four key norms. What they discovered about team productivity can work for your team, as well. Read more to learn how to build an effective team.

The One-Minute Manager by Ken Blanchard: Book Overview

Managing people doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. Ken Blanchard’s The One-Minute Manager proves that effective leadership can be simple, fast, and powerful. The book — and its updated version The New One-Minute Manager — introduce three core techniques that help managers bring out the best in their teams: goal setting, praising, and redirects. Each one takes just a minute but creates lasting impact. Keep reading to see how these strategies work and why they’re so effective.

The New One-Minute Manager: The 3 Core Principles

What lessons can you learn from Ken Blanchard’s book The New One-Minute Manager? How can you get the most out of your employees? The New One-Minute Manager teaches three core principles: one-minute goals, one-minute praisings, and one-minute redirects. You’ll learn how empowering your employees motivates them to work harder. Continue below for a brief overview of The New One-Minute Manager‘s core lessons.

The Engineering Design Process: 4 Everyday Benefits

What is the engineering design process? How can you apply it to your life? The engineering design process can help you formulate different approaches to everyday dilemmas. It prompts you to evaluate which approach is likely to see the greatest success. The process aids in creative problem solving and decision making. Read more to learn about the engineering design process and its practical applications.

The 3 Kinds of Managers: Tough, Nice, and One-Minute

How does Ken Blanchard describe the three kinds of managers? What sets a one-minute manager apart from nice and tough managers? In his book The New One-Minute Manager, Ken Blanchard discusses the three kinds of managers: tough, nice, and one-minute managers. One-minute managers instill confidence in their employees and are experts at time management. Keep reading to learn more about the three kinds of managers.

The Top 2 Strategies to Improve Workplace Productivity

Could your workplace productivity use a boost? Would you like to learn how to get more done professionally? In Smarter Faster Better, Charles Duhigg shares two principles that are crucial to improving workplace productivity. Becoming more productive isn’t about working more hours or constantly pushing yourself to do more. Instead, it’s about making wise choices in certain areas. Read more to learn how to improve workplace productivity.

Make Better Decisions With Probabilistic Thinking

How are your decision-making skills? Do you know what probabilistic thinking is—and how it can help you make better decisions? An important element of productivity is the ability to make better decisions. At its root is the ability to predict the future with some accuracy. Probabilistic thinking is one way to do this. Read more to learn how you can make better decisions using probabilistic thinking.