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Life & Death Communications

Feb 25

Carolann Jacobs on February 25th, 2010

Guys,
Here’s an exceptional article about communication, collaboration and the importance of setting the right tone: http://gmj.gallup.com/content/125291/Collaborating-Means-Communicating.aspx
Enjoy!
Be Your Best You Today,
Carolann

Managewhich Tip: Getting in Front of Change Through Leadership

Jan 26

Carolann Jacobs on January 26th, 2010

“The enemy to real change is lip service” ~Peter Block
This is never more true than in a low trust organization. How many times have you been in meetings where heads nod in agreement only to have nothing done? It’s insidious because we think the group is on board when they aren’t.
We can work with opposition [...]

Managewhich Tip: Process-Focus Ain’t a Bad Thing

Jan 19

Carolann Jacobs on January 19th, 2010

We hear a lot about being results-focused and results-driven. Results are important, and somewhere along the way, we’ve lost sight of the importance of the journey.
Case and point. In 1959, Cuba had an illiteracy rate of 23%. Post Castro revolution, in 1961, it was reduced to 4%. Let’s just say, this wasn’t the kindest of [...]

So How are Those Resolutions Going?

Jan 14

Carolann Jacobs on January 14th, 2010

So, we’re about halfway through January, and even though I suggested that resolutions are a waste of time, I bet some of you made them anyway. How’s it going?
For those of you who are on track, congratulations!
For those of you who’ve already broken down, how about trying something different this year.
My fabulous mentor coach, Ken Abrams, reminded [...]

Putting Some Meat in the Managewhich!

Dec 9

Carolann Jacobs on December 9th, 2009

No one wakes up in the morning and asks to themselves, “How can I screw my job up today?” And yet, sometimes we feel that way in our management roles, yes?
I’ve gotta tell you, when I look back over the course of my corporate career, there were a lot of things I would do differently, [...]

What Got You Here May Not Get You There

Dec 3

Carolann Jacobs on December 3rd, 2009

When met with what seems to be a familiar situation, humans behave based on habit. The brain is designed to operate based on patterns and filters, so it’s very quick to assess “Woah! something’s going on here” vs. “Oh, OK” and respond accordingly.
By the way, it’s also the same mechanism that makes Bob’s name easier [...]

Managewhich Question: Who the “mans” the Role of Policy Police?

Dec 1

Carolann Jacobs on December 1st, 2009

“The rules make it fair for everyone,” a quote from one Managewhich who’s struggling with influencing and managing her peers.
The Managewhich was describing how other groups are rewarded for complaining (as opposed to problem-solving), how other managers were giving undocumented vacation days in exchange for excessive for overtime, and other “rule-breaking” perks. Her point of [...]

Tips for the Managewhich: Is My Staff Doing Anything Resume-Worthy?

Nov 5

Carolann Jacobs on November 5th, 2009

One of the more obvious clues that your group is on the chopping block is when you can’t figure out what real value your group adds. That’s even more true when the company is reorganizing people into that group in ways that don’t make sense. It’s a good thing for the managewhich to recognize this [...]

Tips for the Managewhich: Is What I’m Doing Resume-Worthy?

Nov 3

Carolann Jacobs on November 3rd, 2009

Career Management groups are filled with people who haven’t progressed in their careers, and those are the folks who are having the toughest time landing new positions. Many of those fall into the category of being happy that they had a job, and so they did whatever was necessary to keep it. This is fear-based [...]

Managewhich? What to do With Complete and Utter Incompetence

Oct 27

Carolann Jacobs on October 27th, 2009

Her name is Oblivia. She’s nice. People like her. And, she can’t get anything done.
Have you ever worked with someone who is Unconsciously Incompetent? That is to say, that they are so incompetent that they don’t even know that they are incompetent?
It’s rare. Most of us know when we really, truly suck at something. However, [...]

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