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Rooney Lake, Wisconsin - Julie Zack (c)
I am pretty sure most consultants, leaders, and pretty much everyone on the planet will agree with me that the number one complaint in any organization is “Communication sucks.”
Read moreLongboat Key, FL by Steve Sheppard (c)
I’m traveling this week to do some intensive training (love deep learning!!). That’s one reason why I’m repeating a post from July. The other is that I am getting close to a crucible moment watching policies and procedures consistently being bypassed, not followed, ignored completely, or “we just make up our own shit.”
Read moreTogether we Go, Lake Tainter in Wisconsin by Jenn Tack (c)
Every week with the work I do, life brings challenges and surprises that are exciting 95% of the time and other times make me want to flip everyone the bird, put my jammies on, and hide out in my fort with a glass of wine (not a bad idea any time now that I think about that, ha). This week had both, most definitely.
Read moreThe Silver Lining in Santa Barbara by Marya Wilson (c)
In our discussion of betrayals we had experienced, I shared my story of organizational exit that started this whole research journey of mine. It was the first time in over 15 years that I felt I had fully let the anger go.
Read moreSun after the Storm, Lake Superior, Bayfield, WI by Marya Wilson
These leaders weren’t looking for an out on investing in their staff or a quick fix for development, but trying to find a way to build trust when turnover for staff who are not full time is normal, and at times higher than normal.
Read moreCave Point County Park, Door County, WI by Megan Klatt
I’ve had to chuckle. My post this week focuses on the importance of our words. Strangely, and hilariously, I keep seeing articles, posts, and comments on how “words matter…” I’m not a religious person, but I do love the way the Universe responds to things you start thinking or writing about a certain topic; it starts showing up everywhere.
Read moreManhattan Beach, CA by Marya Wilson
Lake Tahoe at King’s Beach, NV by Marya Wilson
The elephants of an organization are not its downfall, nor are they always horrible. They become the downfall and toxic mess when we refuse to talk about them or work together to figure out how to calm the elephants down.
Read moreOceanside, OR by Maureen Cochran
If I asked you to define the word “emotion,” how would you? Responses from people are interesting because they step back and go, “Hmmm, never thought about it before.”
Read moreThe Appalachian Mountains by Barton A. Buechner
She was not taken seriously, she was not heard, and she did not feel valued (and could not trust the organization in any way after this situation). Her choice was easy after not being heard or valued: it was time to leave the company.
Read moreLake Tahoe at Incline Village, NV by Jennifer M. White
Why is it so hard to talk about the tough stuff in our organizations? Why is it that I see leaders constantly painting a rainbow picture of their leadership and organizations when it’s more like a toxic waste dump?
Read moreAn Afternoon at the Beach by Marya Wilson
I have had some very insightful conversations the last week about procedures as contracts. I define procedures as anything your organization uses to guide the organizational processes. Some organizations define them as policies, SOP’s, procedures, etc. Some talked about how procedures are boring. This was one was my favorite because they weren’t wrong, sometimes procedures are boring, but oh so necessary.
Read moreLongboat Key, FL by Steve Sheppard
Well, after the last few weeks of maneuvering poor processes, I am going to update my quality management course for the fall semester. Whew! I appreciate the frustration level though because it has helped me think deeper about one of the themes my partner and I keep coming across in our research on organizational exit, betrayal of trust.
Read moreMontana Mountains: Peace and Courage by Julie Furst-Bowe
I was having a conversation with a fantastic colleague (and friend!) recently. I was incredibly frustrated with a string of events that were creating some serious problems for a project I am working on. My colleague listened without judgment and helped me look at all sides of the situation and try to approach it from a more positive perspective. I love her for that.
Read moreLake Menomin by Dan Riordan
Management decisions like this won’t always make sense to us, but if managers and administrators don’t explain their decisions, it is quite hard to trust that they have the best interest of their people or their organization at heart.
Read moreLogan and Noah’s Island Kindess - Isla Mujeres, Mexico - by Evy Snyder
What a week! I had some incredible conversations with friends and colleagues who are so pumped about what they do and where they work. It was a delightful treat and made me hopeful and happy.
Read moreSunset in Santa Barbara by Marya Wilson
Psychological contracts are those unwritten agreements in how we will treat each other (at least the 30K foot definition). I fully believe this is the most important contract we can shake hands on.
Read moreNorth Sea at Moerdijk by Marya Wilson
I’ve gotten a little caught up in my trip, and I am loving it! I write this from Berlin this morning. This city is amazing. It is full of history, green space, and incredible people. I was journaling about the trip and had to laugh because this trip has truly been full of Griswold moments.
Read moreAs the semester winds down, this is usually crunch time. Most of us on campus are pulling our hair out, drinking coffee by the gallons, and grading papers by the billions (ok, an exaggeration, but it’s close). This semester is no different, except this last week was a blast.
Read moreThe research and writing I do focuses on the many aspects of trust. Trust is crucial to any relationship, personal or professional. I had a very fun week in that so many of the discussions I had revolved around the trusted leader, admired and appreciated.
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