by Michael Holland Acquiring talent can be time and energy consuming. In the recruiting process, reviewing resumes, applications and conducting phone screens with job candidates, it’s helpful to know your “knock-out factors.” What are the basics, the essentials, the must haves that you need for someone in the position? Maybe it’s a certain skill or [...]
by Michael Holland Managers sometimes wonder what motivates my employees? What satisfies them? What will make the biggest difference to an employee? Leaders at all levels often make the mistake of assuming that all employees are motivated by the same thing – a new assignment, recognition, a promotion. But what motivates a person is likely [...]
by Michael Holland New supervisors and managers are so willing to take advice and counsel and are able to quickly adapt to circumstances and learn new ways. Ideally, these young leaders are developing strong core muscles – management and leadership muscles. As all leaders season through life and gain more employees, we carry on with [...]
by Michael Holland Jesse Owens, the son of a sharecropper and grandson of a slave, realized his dreams by winning four gold medals in the 1936 Olympics. Jesse Owens said “We all have dreams. But in order to make dreams come into reality, it takes an awful lot of determination, dedication, self-discipline, and effort.” Of [...]
by Michael Holland The foundation to all relationships – managers and employees alike - is trust. We build trust through our actions and our behaviors. Are we reliable, dependable, and consistent? Are we true to our word and “talk straight?” Employees want to have confidence in their manager. They want their manager to manage, dealing [...]
by Michael Holland Some managers may find that they are easily focused on the tasks of their team, while others tend to focus more heavily on the people aspects. Ideally, it’s a balance. Remember – people come to work. That requires a manager to effectively manage both the people and the work demands of his team. [...]
by Michael Holland “Take things always by their smooth handle” Thomas Jefferson There is a civil and respectable way to deal with people and situational conflict. Seeking a smooth path, a path of least resistance for all parties involved, can produce greater outcomes. As a leader, you make choices every day regarding how [...]
by Michael Holland As a leader, you have authority over critical resources. What’s the basis of that authority? Generally, authority could be defined as: the power, the right, the clout to influence people and get them to do what you want and need them to. But in active leadership we can delineate that definition a [...]
by Michael Holland Vince Lombardi, the great football coach, taught his players to "run with complete abandon, and when you get close to the goal, let nothing stop you from getting across." Do you believe in your management and leadership skills to a point where you can honestly lead with complete abandon and lead your [...]
by Michael Holland What makes a leader great? They know why they lead. Seems simple, really, that if you truly know your purpose in leading and the value system which resonates those beliefs, then your behaviors will reveal your leadership principles. The difficulty for many leaders is that their “why” of leading is shallow. They [...]
