In my last column, I elaborated on several potential negative side effects associated with bringing personal baggage to work. I described how even long-term top performers can stumble and fall when they’re unable to effectively manage personal issues in the workplace. I also explored the domino effect these uncontrolled issues can have on fellow team […]
Some like to believe a distinctive barrier separates our personal and professional lives. If you step back and take an honest look at your experiences and those of others you’ve worked with, that’s clearly not the case. It’s common, in fact, for people to lug their personal baggage through the front door of a business, […]
With every transaction and interaction, a business gives its customers a good, neutral or bad feeling. The last two have no place in a thriving company. The first is a necessary component to happiness and success. In all likelihood, you can recall some experiences as a consumer that left you with good, if not a […]
There’s a tremendous amount of crossover between the personal and professional lives of people. Team members spend a lot of time and energy on the job rehashing — mentally and verbally — the unresolved and troubling personal challenges they face. More often than you might realize, this situation leads to reduced productivity and efficiency, bad […]
Companies that make it their business to foster happiness in their customers are the most enlightened and successful of all. Business operations are, first and foremost, about serving people and ensuring their satisfaction. Increasing the happiness, pleasure and fulfillment of the patrons who support you with their hard-earned dollars builds a base of loyal and […]
Entrepreneurs launch companies not only to create greater wealth, freedom and happiness, but also exert more control over their destinies. They dream of achieving professional, financial and personal independence and in doing so travel, relax, give back and enjoy their lives as much as possible. For many business owners, however, the dream remains just that […]
People are at the core of successful companies. The strength of their mindset combined with their skills allow them to operate at their highest levels on a consistent basis. Human capability expands, contracts or remains static depending on whether it receives the stimulation it needs to grow and develop or not. The phrase “I’m in […]
A crucial step in the direction of greater happiness and success in business is learning to let go and delegate effectively, empowering everyone involved to do more and be more. As a business owner, you have two options: You can create a job for yourself or truly lead your company. There’s a distinct difference between […]
Most businesses employ skilled team members, many with decent and even great attitudes. These individuals come to work, perform their jobs to a satisfactory level or above and contribute to the work environment in positive ways. But what about team members who have the skills to do their jobs, yet constitute a drag on the […]
Ineffective communication presents the largest obstacle to any successful professional or personal relationship, and it all begins with listening. Not truly listening to others and ineffective communication are often at the heart of dysfunctional businesses, disgruntled team members, unsatisfied clients, failed marriages, disassociation with loved ones, frustration and anger, to name only a few. The […]