Michael Lee Stallard

OCTOBER 10, 2016

Peter DeMarco, a writer in Boston, lost his 34-year old wife, Laura Levis, following a severe asthma attack. Last week, The New York Times reprinted Mr. DeMarco’s “ A Letter to the Doctors and Nurses Who Cared for My Wife.” It went viral. Take time to read it. Mr. DeMarco’s letter expresses his profound gratitude for the words and deeds of doctors, nurses, technicians and the cleaning crew during his wife’s seven days in the ICU.

Letter 220

Letter Competitive Advantage Workshop Follow-up 220

Michael Lee Stallard

MARCH 2, 2016

Most organization and team cultures today focus on racing to identify actionable solutions. The most effective leaders, however, take time to ask questions that get people to share their thoughts and feelings en route to identifying actionable solutions. Over the years I’ve come to believe that rushing to a solution is often unwise and that the journey is as valuable as the destination.

Drucker 220

Drucker Learning-by-Doing Mentor Resources 220

Michael Lee Stallard

JULY 31, 2016

The prevalence and extreme nature of star systems today contribute to widespread employee disconnection and disengagement. Here’s why. Defining Terms: Star, Core, and Struggling Employees. Employees can be regarded as stars, core employees, or strugglers. Stars are superior performers. They are either a part of senior management or on track to move up the organization’s hierarchy.

System 247

System Politics Micromanagement Class 247

Michael Lee Stallard

JULY 24, 2016

Vision represents the cultural element of inspiring identity. As the following story illustrates, inspiring identity is a crucial factor in team performance and can help organizations overcome tremendous obstacles. Inspiring Identity and the Manhattan Project. In Warren Bennis and Patricia Biederman’s insightful book Organizing Genius , they tell the story of America’s race to make an atomic bomb before the Nazis during World War II.

Team 244

Team Letter Project Micromanagement 244

Michael Lee Stallard

MAY 11, 2016

ABC News does it right when it comes to workplace culture. Recently, I sat down with Zach Toback, Vice President, News and Non-Fiction Production & Studio Operation at ABC News in New York City and Ann Louden, Director of the TCU Center for Connection Culture. Ann and I wanted to learn how ABC News stays at the top of its game as a leader in an extremely competitive, demanding industry.

Competitive Advantage 212

Competitive Advantage Committee Storytelling Open-book 212

Michael Lee Stallard

AUGUST 28, 2016

Adding elements to a workplace that enhance people’s value effectively empower people to achieve their potential. Here are six ways leaders can do this. 1. Make a human connection with as many people as possible. Leaders need to acknowledge individuals. There’s no easier way to show you value people than to learn about them and use their names when you speak with them.

Decentralization 240

Decentralization Lean Manufacturing Directory Learning-by-Doing 240

Michael Lee Stallard

MAY 8, 2016

Burnout is on the rise in healthcare. Increased stress and complexity, and the demands to achieve higher productivity are taking a toll. Each year nearly 400 physicians commit suicide , more than double the rate of the general population. Healthcare workers are also susceptible to anxiety, depression and addiction. What can be done? One of the most effective ways to address rising pressure on healthcare workers is to foster a life-giving culture of supportive relationships that benefits all, inc

Stress 204

Stress Bond Absenteeism System 204

Michael Lee Stallard

APRIL 2, 2016

Definition of Gratitude. Gratitude is being aware of and thankful for the good things that happen; taking time to express thanks. Why Gratitude Matters. The word gratitude is based on the Latin root gratia which means “grace,” “graciousness,” and “gratefulness.” Religious thinkers and moral philosophers throughout history have long appreciated gratitude.

Creativity 199

Creativity Positioning Environment Media 199

Michael Lee Stallard

MARCH 19, 2016

Definition of Creativity. Creativity is thinking of novel and productive ways to conceptualize and do things. Why Creativity Matters. Creativity is essential for innovation. Exercising creativity to continuously improve by finding new and better ways of serving clients is something we must always strive to do. An organization that settles for the status quo will never be a great organization.

Creativity 183

Creativity Hotels Diversity Innovation 183

Michael Lee Stallard

DECEMBER 13, 2016

The human brain accounts for two percent of our body weight yet consumes 20 percent of our energy. Given the intellectual nature of most work today, we use up a considerable amount of energy. This makes getting sufficient rest essential to keeping you and your team energized. Great Leaders Understand the Value of Rest. A leader from the past who knew the value of rest was the U.S.

Energy 174

Energy Creativity Politics Stress 174

Michael Lee Stallard

AUGUST 15, 2016

It’s fashionable in the media and politics today to be quick to speak, to dominate conversations and be self-righteous. We see this frequently in movies and television shows too. These attributes are thought to be signs of intelligence, assertiveness and conviction. Although they may be effective at gaining television ratings and press attention, they are counterproductive when it comes to communicating, connecting with others and leading effectively.

Letter 174

Letter Reputation Politics Active Listening 174

Michael Lee Stallard

JULY 17, 2016

Unnecessary rules and excessive controls devalue people by making them feel that they are not trusted or respected. A leader who micromanages his people will not engage or energize them. Micromanaged employees are more likely to feel disconnected because it is a universal human need to have a reasonable degree of autonomy or freedom to do our work. When people have autonomy, they have a greater sense of control and experience personal growth as they develop new skills and expertise.

Micromanagement 174

Micromanagement Library Learning-by-Doing Resistance 174

Michael Lee Stallard

MARCH 24, 2016

“It isn’t what we don’t know that gives us trouble, it’s what we know that ain’t so.” – Will Rogers. In his latest book, Under New Management , David Burkus challenges a number of conventional business practices. These practices include, but are not limited to: the “customer first” mentality, non-compete agreements, email, standard vacation policy, office design, annual performance appraisals, and even the need for managers.

Performance Review 174

Performance Review Management Review Rogers 174

Michael Lee Stallard

MARCH 6, 2016

What makes an organization sufficiently resilient to survive over a sustained period of time? In 1983 Royal Dutch/Shell Group studied 27 companies that had survived more than 100 years, were still important in their industries, and continued to have strong corporate identities. One key finding was that leaders of these organizations believed it was important to leave their organizations in as good as or better shape than when they became leaders.

Short-term 174

Short-term Long-term Competitive Advantage Chemicals 174

Michael Lee Stallard

MAY 3, 2016

Do you have “still face” managers in your organization? By still face managers, I mean supervisors whose lack of emotion makes it difficult for them to connect and to get people fired up. They seem unable to express appropriate emotion when interacting with others. The disconnection the other person experiences can be confusing, discouraging or lead to reaching a wrong conclusion.

Organization 163

Organization Management CEO Video 163

Michael Lee Stallard

FEBRUARY 20, 2016

In recent years, organizational culture has been cited as a reason for managerial failures at organizations including General Motors, NASA, Nokia, and Volkswagen. Recently, I was asked if Connection Cultures reduce risks faced by organizations. The answer is “yes.” Below are four reasons why. Connection Reduces Accident Risk. When you think about the five performance advantages Connection Cultures have, it’s not difficult to see how they would improve an organization’s safety record.

Risk Management 163

Risk Management Management Reputation Bottom-up 163

Michael Lee Stallard

JUNE 27, 2016

George C. Marshall was one of the most extraordinary individuals to have lived during the twentieth century. Born in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, in 1880 and trained at the Virginia Military Institute, Marshall was a career military man who will forever be remembered for his efforts to promote peace and bring about a strong connection between America and Western Europe.

Ryan 186

Ryan Career Competitive Advantage Health Care 186

Michael Lee Stallard

APRIL 17, 2016

Definition of Citizenship. Citizenship (social responsibility, loyalty, teamwork) is working well as a member of a group or team; being loyal to the group; doing one’s share. Citizenship in Today’s Organizations. The historian and bestselling author David McCullough observed that, “little of consequence is ever done alone.” McCullough recognizes history has repeatedly shown that groups are essential to progress and impact on the world.

Loyalty 199

Loyalty Cooper Definition Follow-up 199

Michael Lee Stallard

OCTOBER 30, 2016

Amy has been under increasing stress. Her boss is pressuring her to significantly boost the productivity of the team she manages. She’s working longer hours and spending more time on work while away from her office. Adding to that, Amy feels stress from her commute to work and the financial pressures to support her family. The time she once spent on self-care – getting sufficient sleep, exercising and engaging in leisure activities with family and fiends – has gradually been squeezed out of her

Self-aware 255

Self-aware Bottom-up Stress Energy 255

Michael Lee Stallard

JANUARY 7, 2016

Stress is increasing today as the world economy becomes more competitive and the explosion of information overwhelms individuals. The effects are felt not just mentally, but throughout our nervous systems. Human connection in the form of conversation and relational support provides psychological resources to cope with stress. Unfortunately, people have fewer confidants today as single-person households in America are at an all-time high of 28 percent, families have spread out, workplaces are lon

Stress 195

Stress Competitive Advantage Survey Media 195

Michael Lee Stallard

JANUARY 11, 2016

A number of leaders I know are beginning 2016 facing extremely challenging business and/or personal situations. I want to encourage them to keep moving forward because I believe their greatest contributions are yet to come. Here are four pieces of advice to help. 1. Consider your comeback story. If the present outlook appears grim, think of it as a chapter in your comeback story.

Short-term 220

Short-term Stress Advice Finance 220

Michael Lee Stallard

MAY 26, 2016

Is your organization struggling to improve employee engagement? If so, you’re not alone. Some organizations have become so frustrated that their efforts are failing to produce results that they’ve given up entirely on engagement. When it comes to employee engagement, programs won’t do it. Something more is required. That something is culture change.

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Competitive Advantage eBook Short-term Learning-by-Doing 256