Management Archives

An Alternative to Brainstorming: Why Question-Storming Works

How does question-storming work? Is it a superior alternative to brainstorming? Warren Berger says that many organizations value knowledge and obedience over curiosity and creativity. But, the most successful companies are those that encourage employees to ask questions and search for innovative answers. He recommends that organizations hold question-storming sessions. Keep reading to learn about this intriguing alternative to brainstorming.

Why Adaptability in Software Engineering Is So Important

What does it mean to have adaptability in software engineering? How does this demonstrate why adaptability is important in the workplace? Adaptability in software engineering means successfully handling and creating change, including changes in technology, workflow, or responsibilities. Learning how to be more adaptive can help you grow in your career in any industry. Learn more about the value of adaptability at work and how to develop adaptive leadership skills with these insights from the field of software engineering.

Elon Musk as a Leader: Mission-Focused Intensity

What’s it like to work for Elon Musk? How does he bring his personality into his businesses? Renowned biographer Walter Isaacson shadowed Elon Musk for two years. He found that Musk’s leadership mindset is entirely mission-focused with an emphasis on challenging workers rather than nurturing them in any way. Keep reading to learn about Elon Musk as a leader.

Questions to Ask in Business: Fostering Curiosity & Creativity

What question launched Uber? What questions did Toys “R” Us leaders fail to ask? The most successful companies ask a lot of questions. And, they ask the right questions. That’s the view of Warren Berger. In his book A More Beautiful Question, he explains why every person in every workplace needs to ask the fundamental questions “why,” “why not,” “what if,” and “how.” Continue reading to learn about these “beautiful questions” to ask in business.

How Managers Can Improve Communication at Work

How can managers improve their communication in the workplace? Can managerial communication skills make a difference to the team? Managers can improve their communication in the workplace by building relationships with their employees one-on-one, even in upper management positions. Improved trust and communication lead to a greater understanding of expectations. Read more about the importance of communication skills for managers and how managers can improve communication in the workplace with these insights from Camille Fournier’s The Manager’s Path.

The 3 Skills You Need for Promotion as a Software Engineer

What do you need to know to get promoted as a software engineer? When transitioning into management from engineering, are there extra skills you need to learn? As a software engineer, a promotion often means you’ll need to focus on building new skills. These include clear communication, strategic planning, and adaptability. Managing software engineers requires high-level thinking about business strategy, as well as good rapport with your team. Learn more about the skills you need when transitioning into management from a technical role.

Are Self-Validating People Easier or Harder to Influence?

How do you decide what to do? How do you determine how well you do things? You either validate yourself or look to get that validation from others. That’s true for everyone. Shelle Rose Charvet applies this knowledge to the workplace and provides guidance on how to persuade both self-validating people and people who are more validated by others. Read more to learn about this difference in people and how to make the most of it.

How to Identify & Leverage Different Problem-Solving Styles

What approach do you take to problem-solving? What if you could figure out the approach other people take and use that information to influence them? Some people tend to stick with one way to address problems. Others gravitate toward new ways of tackling issues. Influencing language expert Shelle Rose Charvet explains how you can identify a person’s dominant problem-solving style and communicate with them in a language they understand. Keep reading for Charvet’s tips along with some supplemental advice from workplace coach John Whitmore.

How to Motivate People at Work: The 6 Motivation Patterns

Do you have a hard time getting your team members or colleagues to enthusiastically engage in a new project? Does it seem like they’re on a page that doesn’t even exist in your book? According to influencing language expert Shelle Rose Charvet, if you learn how someone is motivated, you can consciously match their frame of reference and speak in a language they understand. She discusses six motivation patterns in a workplace context, but you can use her insights in any setting. Continue reading to learn how to motivate people at work by speaking their motivation language.

How the Mighty Fall: Book Overview and Takeaways

Why do so many companies crack under pressure? How can a floundering company recover? While Jim Collins’s book How the Mighty Fall is a warning to companies that have grown complacent, it also serves as motivation for those in the throes of decline. Collins says that by staying vigilant about the threat of failure, you can rechart your course, keep pushing forward, and ensure your company’s survival. Read below for a brief How the Mighty Fall book overview.