Eric Jacobson

DECEMBER 21, 2009

According to the 2009 Employment Dynamics and Growth Expectations Report, 55% of employees plan to change jobs, careers or industries "when the economy recovers." That's an alarming statistic and one that all workplace leaders should take to heart. Leigh Branham, founder and CEO of the Overland Park, KS company Keeping The People , says employees leave for seven main reasons, and money isn't among the seven.

Budgeting 50

Budgeting Stress CEO Report 50

Eric Jacobson

DECEMBER 17, 2009

Resolve to be proactive about talking with nonperformers in 2010. So, if you have an employee who needs to improve his/her performance, don't delay that tough conversation with him. By addressing the issue with him early in 2010, you give him the opportunity to improve -- because most employees want to do a good job. But, sometimes, they just don't know they aren't performing up to your required standards.

Performance Review 50

Performance Review Review Team Skills 50

Eric Jacobson

DECEMBER 15, 2009

There's a new book that asks its readers five powerful questions, putting aspiring leaders to the ultimate test of what it takes to be a true leader. The best thing about this book is that if you pass the test you can skip reading many of the mountains of other leadership books on the market today. Timothy R. Clark's new book, called " The Leadership Test " forces you to do some valuable soul searching.

Leadership 50

Leadership Books Power CEO 50

Eric Jacobson

DECEMBER 14, 2009

Former University of Kansas head basketball coach Roy Williams recently told U.S. News & World Report magazine that there are three things that coaches as leaders must do to drive success: "Have everyone on the team focus on the same goal." And, the leader must effectively communicate that goal to the team. "Emphasize those goals every day." "Understand that although everyone has a common goal, individuals also have goals, needs and dreams that must be cared for.

Sports 50

Sports Magazine Goal Motivation 50

Eric Jacobson

DECEMBER 9, 2009

Last month, members of three discussion groups on the business professionals social media web site LinkedIn submitted their recommendations for the best books about leadership. The LinkedIn members came from these discussion groups: • ExecuNet Executive Suite • The Talent Buzz • Keller Graduate School Of Management In all, 64 books were recommended and the variety is impressive.

Books 50

Books Covey Welch Collins 50

Eric Jacobson

DECEMBER 7, 2009

Everyone is still figuring it all out. And, there's much to learn about Return On Investment (ROI). But, if you lead a nonprofit, small business or large business, or if you're a budding entrepreneur, you need to understand just how important the social media landscape is going to be to your business -- particularly to your marketing. Social media is changing how businesses need to interact with their customers.

Media 50

Media Power Advertising ROI 50

Eric Jacobson

DECEMBER 1, 2009

Every leader experiences periods of ups and downs. Hopefully, more up periods. If you struggle with too many down periods, it might be because you have perfectionist tendencies. Transform yourself into an optimist by: Viewing failure as an opportunity to learn and understand that failure is part of a fulfilling life. Making room for pain. Don't deny yourself permission to feel painful emotions.

Goal 50

Goal Books How To Skills 50

Eric Jacobson

NOVEMBER 24, 2009

Walk into any Chick-fil-A chicken fast food restaurant around the U.S. and when you say "thank you" the person working there will say "my pleasure" instead of "no problem." You'll likely hear the same "my pleasure" from the waiter at California Pizza Kitchen after he/she delivers your meal and you say "thank you." At first, the "my pleasure" sounds strange, because we are so used to being told it's "no problem.

Productivity 50

Productivity Products Team Training 50

Eric Jacobson

NOVEMBER 24, 2009

Hopefully, you're setting a good example for your team by eating well, exercising and leading them to practice a healthful lifestyle. Fit, well-nourished, healthy employees perform better. According to the American Heart Association , research shows that employers that spend on health promotion and chronic disease prevention programs achieve a rate of return on investment ranging from $3 to $15 for each dollar invested with savings realized within 12 to 18 months.

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Rate of Return Seminar Discount Workshop 50

Eric Jacobson

NOVEMBER 24, 2009

Thank you for following my Blog on management and leadership, and allowing me to share more than 70 posts with you on how to be a more effective leader. Thanks, too, to everyone who has posted comments, made topic suggestions, and forwarded various postings from the Blog to friends, co-workers and supervisors. I look forward to sharing more with you the rest of this year and during all of 2010.

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Blog Books Leadership Management 50

Eric Jacobson

NOVEMBER 23, 2009

You and your team may not hit your revenue or profit goals this year. Or, perhaps your organization won't accomplish all its goals during this tough economic year. But, as a leader, you likely still have plenty to be thankful for in 2009. So, be thankful. And, most important, verbalize your thanks! Take time this holiday week and then the rest of the year to smile and say "Thank You" to: Your employees who took pay reductions Your customers who still did business with you, even though they had t

Budgeting 50

Budgeting Price Goal Team 50

Eric Jacobson

NOVEMBER 16, 2009

Here are some handy tips for how to run a better meeting: Limit attendance. Include only decision makers and key implementers. Use an agenda. Give each topic a time limit. Ask your staff to help set the agenda so they'll know the meeting will be relevant. Make sure attendees know at the meeting's beginning the benefit of why they are in the meeting.

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Tips Team How To Skills 50

Eric Jacobson

NOVEMBER 13, 2009

You've surely heard it before, but whatever you do in your manager and leader role, don't micromanage. You are likely micromanaging if you answer "Yes" to the following four questions: Do you fear having your employee's mistakes attributed to you? Do you require subordinates to report on everything? Do you think I could do it better? Do you believe you are indispensable but find yourself stuck in a rut?

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Micromanagement Tips Report Management 50

Eric Jacobson

NOVEMBER 11, 2009

As a dim light begins to shine at the end of the tunnel in this recession, savvy business leaders are making their lists of lessons learned so their companies will be better prepared for future downturns. Business Week magazine's June 29, 2009 issue featured an article called "Managing Through The Economic Storm" where various experts weighed in on how leaders should react to challenging economic times.

Magazine 50

Magazine Crisis Advice Review 50

Eric Jacobson

NOVEMBER 9, 2009

The next time you stay at a Marriott hotel look in the nightstand drawer for Marriott's booklet that highlights its milestones and tells the Marriott story. In the booklet, you'll find the following 12 ways that Marriott practices good leadership: Continually challenge your team to do better. Take good care of your employees, and they'll take good care of your customers, and the customers will come back.

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Hotels Quality Follow-up Team 50

Eric Jacobson

NOVEMBER 6, 2009

The power of meeting with your team members face-to-face cannot be overstated. Unfortunately, in today's world of email and electronic communications, meeting with someone face-to-face, or for that matter even speaking with him/her over the phone, has become something that doesn't happen nearly enough. Resist the temptation to email or phone an employee or team member when you can meet in-person with him/her.

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Resistance Power Team Motivation 50

Eric Jacobson

NOVEMBER 4, 2009

Research shows that unfortunately, many workplace meetings are not nearly as productive as they could be. To help ensure the meetings you host are productive, lead them by: * Observing nonverbal feedback and encouraging everyone to participate. * Summarizing group consensus after each point. * Reminding the group who is responsible for taking care of each follow-up action. * Encouraging team-building, networking and problem-solving among your meeting participants.

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Consensus Team Building Participative Follow-up 50

Eric Jacobson

NOVEMBER 2, 2009

Another month has gone by, which means it's time to post my favorite post -- the one about leading by setting a good example. So, as a reminder, here are 15 things you can do to be an effective and successful leader: 1. Praise when compliments are earned. 2. Be decisive. 3. Say "Thank You" and sincerely mean it. 4. Communicate clearly. 5. Listen carefully. 6.

Examples 50

Examples Learning-by-Doing Team Succession 50

Eric Jacobson

OCTOBER 30, 2009

When you provide overall feedback to your employees, mix praise with constructive feedback about what they can do to improve. By mixing your input, you are satisfying a person's thirst for knowing both what he/she is doing well and what he/she can do to continue to improve. Be sure to always start with the positive when giving feedback.

Construction 50

Construction Positioning Mentor Motivation 50

Eric Jacobson

OCTOBER 26, 2009

I read the following in a discussion forum on Linkedin recently and want to share this good advice about leading from writer Joseph Marzano: "Great leaders clearly and constantly remind people of their mutual common mission, keep people and resources pointed in the right direction on the right things, and are personally known for what they expect and will do.

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Commitment Advice Resources Team Building 50

Eric Jacobson

OCTOBER 22, 2009

When you communicate change to your team, explain the logical and rational reasons for the change: 1. Explain how the change will make employees feel before, during and after the implementation. 2. Explain the tactical plan and goals. 3. Answer questions from your team.

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Tactics Goal Planning Team 50

Eric Jacobson

OCTOBER 21, 2009

We all make mistakes. Yes, even leaders make mistakes. When you do, admit to them and apologize for the negative consequences they have caused your team members, vendors, or customers. Your ability to admit to a mistake will gain you the respect of your employees.

Team 50

Team Skills Management 50

Eric Jacobson

OCTOBER 19, 2009

Create an environment where your employees want to follow you and achieve common goals because they respect you and because they feel a personal relationship with you -- a relationship built on open communication and not one based on your positional power. If you lead through only your positional power your team will always be fearful of being blamed and being judged, and their personal development and your ability to truly lead will be stifled.

Environment 50

Environment Power Goal Positioning 50

Eric Jacobson

OCTOBER 16, 2009

Here's a powerful paragraph from the book "Execution -- The Discipline of Getting Things Done" by Larry Bossidy and Ram Charan : "Most people know someone in their organization who doesn't perform well, yet manages to keep his job year after year. The usual reason, we find, is that the person's leader doesn't have the emotional fortitude to confront him and take decisive action.

Charan 50

Charan Books Execution Power 50

Eric Jacobson

OCTOBER 15, 2009

Eric Harvey and Al Lucia wrote a booklet called "144 Ways To Walk The Talk." They provide the following great advice about giving feedback: 1. Make it timely -- give your feedback as soon as possible to the performance. 2. Make it individualized -- tailor your feedback to the feedback receiver. 3. Make it productive -- focus your feedback on the performance and not the performer. 4.

Construction 50

Construction Advice Productivity Products 50

Eric Jacobson

OCTOBER 14, 2009

Hire individuals who demonstrate these behaviors and attributes, even if they don't have all the technical skills you require: * Energy * Enthusiasm * Ability to persuade and galvanize others * Ability to follow through * Proven consistency in deliverables * Strong work ethic * Resourcefulness Either a person has these qualities or they don't. If they have them, even if they are short on the technical skills, they will likely succeed and grow within your organization.

Quality 50

Quality Ethics Mentor Energy 50

Eric Jacobson

OCTOBER 9, 2009

Too often, we think of only external customer service, and forget about the need for excellent internal customer service. No matter what type of business, organization or team you lead, teach your team members/ employees the need for and importance of internal customer service. Similar to external customer service, that means employees/team members should: 1.

Politics 50

Politics Team Organization Team Building 50

Eric Jacobson

OCTOBER 8, 2009

If you as a leader don't show trust in your employees, you and your team will not achieve maximum results. Judith E. Glaser states it so well in her book "The DNA of Leadership:" "Leaders who are secure in their own abilities allow others to display theirs." So powerful. So true.

Power 50

Power Books Team Leadership 50

Eric Jacobson

OCTOBER 6, 2009

If you are a manager or leader, you likely know more than your employees or team members about many things within your business or organization. And, you often have many of the answers. But, you don't know it all. So, readily admit when you meet with your employees/team that you do not know all the answers. Invite others into conversations. Ask for their input.

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Diversity Team Organization Management 50

Eric Jacobson

OCTOBER 5, 2009

Leaders make decisions. Good leaders are willing to modify their decisions as changing circumstances and data dictate. If you are stubborn about a decision and think that tweaking your decision will be a sign of weakness, think again. In fact, just the opposite is true. Often, circumstances change and new information becomes available after a decision has been made.

Information 50

Information Skills Management 50

Eric Jacobson

OCTOBER 2, 2009

Paying a team member a compliment is powerful. Even more powerful is repeating a compliment to your team member that you heard from someone else about your team member. So, if a co-worker, fellow manager, customer or vendor compliments one of your employees, be sure to share that praise with your employee. Then watch him/her smile.

Power 50

Power Team Management Motivation 50

Eric Jacobson

OCTOBER 1, 2009

The first day of each month I like to remind us to be good role models. Successful leaders lead by setting a good example. So, as you start October, don't forget to incorporate these behaviors and actions in your daily/weekly/monthly activities: * Praise when compliments are earned. * Be decisive. * Say "Thank You" and sincerely mean it. * Show and demonstrate trust. * Communicate clearly. * Listen carefully. * Teach something new. * Work hard and lend a hand when deadlines are tight. * Show res

Examples 50

Examples Team Succession Team Building 50

Eric Jacobson

SEPTEMBER 30, 2009

Your employees appreciate clearly knowing how what they do each day specifically contributes to your company's or organization's success. So, it's important that you explain the relevance of each person's job. Help each employee or team member to understand how what they do makes a difference. Answer their questions about the significance of their work.

Positioning 50

Positioning Team Process Productivity 50

Eric Jacobson

SEPTEMBER 29, 2009

Making a decision is one of the most important actions you'll take as a leader. When communicating your decisions to your team, be sure to explain both the process (how you came to the decision) and the reason for making your decision. Sometimes, unfortunately, managers announce a decision without clarifying the process and the reason for the decision.

Process 50

Process Team Management Skills 50

Eric Jacobson

SEPTEMBER 28, 2009

As a leader a time will come when you have to write an email, memo or letter to address an issue of great importance or concern to you. Or, perhaps in response to something that displeased you, disappointed you, frustrated you, or upset you. Write that document. Then, let it sit. Preferably, let it sit for 24 hours. Then, re-read it. It's almost guaranteed you'll end up tweaking the document.

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Document Letter Skills Management 50

Eric Jacobson

SEPTEMBER 25, 2009

The best leaders possess a host of skills, natural talents and learned behaviors that make them successful. Leaders are also humble. Perhaps Margaret Thatcher said it best when she declared: "Being powerful is like being a lady. If you have to tell people you are, you aren't.".

Skills 50

Skills Power Succession Management 50

Eric Jacobson

SEPTEMBER 24, 2009

Every time you host a meeting, be sure to end it with an actionable To Do list. First, briefly recap what was discussed. Then, make the To Do assignments, stating what needs to be done and by whom it needs to be done. Include a due date for each To Do. Sending a follow-up e-mail to your meeting attendees that includes your discussion highlights and the To Do list will keep everyone on the same page.

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Follow-up Skills Management 50