“Trust me; I’m cynical,” the leader told me shortly after we met in person. “Why do people like working with their peers so much? It seems like all I ever hear are complaints about co-workers, about bosses, about you name it.” Yes, we’re prone to smell the manure—and...

What do people like best about working with peers? “It is the most natural and least threatening way of gaining information, insight and support.” “Collaboration typically leads to better results.” “Promotes collegiality and gets stuff done.” “It amplifies learning...

The mindfulness movement serves up a “chicken or the egg” dilemma in the workplace. Several colleagues who are trying to introduce mindfulness practices into their organizations were lamenting the pushback they’re getting. Either people are too busy to pay attention...

“Command and control still has a purpose—at least for my mind.” That was one of my thoughts while listening to Dr. Craig Hassed of  Monash University, Department of General Practice, lecture on “Mindfulness: Why Attention Matters.” Mindfulness is the mental discipline...

“Laser-focused” is this year’s jargon phase. According to Bloomberg News, CEOs are laser-focused on sales, new products, and anything else deserving of a light beam. While tight focus and clarity are de rigueur this year, you can experience value by stepping back and...

Which do you prefer? Being involved in:  Making change happen?  A change management project? The human brain detects a difference in these two scenarios and reacts accordingly. We’re not conscious of it, but five times every second the brain is deciding if it senses a...

The manager information cascade. Oldie but not goodie. That was my reaction when seeing a blog post and a forgotten folder of articles about helping managers cascade information to employees. Thanks to technology, for many knowledge workers, self-service has replaced...

Hub-and-spoke  vs. point-to-point. Which system do you work under? It's not top of mind for most of us. However,  we should pay  attention. The system affects the speed, cost and quality of our work. Each system has its advantages. If you’re an airline or an old...

Thanking peers and direct reports for their efforts—not just their results—is a healthy habit. When you acknowledge individuals for taking steps, you: Encourage them to stay focused and take more steps. Put them in a quieter, more positive brain state, which...