Blog
How to build a go-to network
The ultimate manifestation of go-to-ism in the workplace is finding and fostering a network of go-to people. Whenever you find go-to people, you want to approach those relationships with a service mindset. What can you bring to the relationship that will make that person want to work with you again in the future? There are…
Helpers, experts, and rogues
Certain types of employees, more so than others, tend to jump into projects outside their normal jobs. I classify these people into three groups: helpers, experts, and rogues. Helpers get pulled away from their regular work because they are genuinely open and tend to be good at solving problems. And they usually have a hard…
How to build better working relationships with difficult colleagues
There are plenty of good reasons to want better relationships with your colleagues at work. Pleasant interactions with coworkers generally make your workdays more enjoyable. Trust and respect among team members opens everyone up to contribute their best ideas. And you never know which connections will lead to new and amazing opportunities for you in…
If you want to be a workplace influencer, don’t rely on the quid pro quo
I’m fond of saying, “If you don’t have authority, you’ve got to use influence.” Sounds great, right? But ‘influence’ is often hard to define in the workplace. What does it look like? And, more importantly, how do you get it? Merriam-Webster defines influence as “the power or capacity of causing an effect in indirect or…
How to transform work interruptions into opportunities
If you’re wondering whether interruptions from colleagues have disappeared during the COVID-19 pandemic, rest assured, they have not. Ask just about anyone—those side conversations are still happening, whether you’re working remotely or onsite. Whether it’s a Zoom meeting tangent, or a rambling Slack thread, or the relentless ping of incoming text messages, there is still…
How to Create a Shareable Job Aid
The number one most effective form of shareable job aid I have seen is the humble checklist. It’s a simple but powerful tool used from kindergarten classrooms to nuclear launch sites. And in a world of increasingly remote, asynchronous work, these types of job aids will be invaluable. Yet, as simple as they may be,…
Avoid these 5 bad attitudes at work
Attitude may be intangible, but it really matters. You cannot always control your feelings (nor should you necessarily try to). But feelings are on the inside. Attitude is what you show everyone else on the outside—and that is always under your control. Everybody has bad days or bad moments. But, even if you are not…
Improve productivity by practicing good email hygiene
We all know it but don’t often say it—email is a huge productivity killer. Like clockwork, as soon as we are about to start working on a task or project, an email pops into our inbox. We may try to ignore it, and it may work for a little while, but the distraction of that…
When You Don’t Have Authority, Use Influence
When work is highly collaborative, there arises an authority conundrum. When there’s a problem or delay, and you’re left to work things out at your own level, nobody has the power of rank to resolve things swiftly and efficiently. In those situations, my advice has always been: when you don’t have authority, use influence. But…
The Go-to Person’s Guide to Great Meetings
Meetings can be great opportunities, but not all meetings are great. There are really only three good reasons for a meeting: To create a feeling of belonging and togetherness To communicate a bunch of information to a bunch of people, in the same way, at the same time To brainstorm about a project, or deal…