The Proof-Gathering Side of Leadership In courtrooms, decisions are made based on actual proof. Hard evidence. Indisputable facts. The same principle should apply to leaders who determine the next career steps for their employees. The key word there is “should.” Unfortunately, it often doesn’t happen that way. I know that firsthand from my years of experience in HR. Leaders would show up to my office with an urgent request to fire a trouble-making employee, and I was more than happy to assist with that process. But when I asked for a copy of the file that documented the poor Read More
Quit Unknowingly Penalizing Top Performers
Quit Unknowingly Penalizing Top Performers
It Could Cost You Top Talent by Leadership Keynote Speaker Connie Podesta Throw out that statement and prepare for some serious pushback. I know because I’ve done it. And the response is…well, passionate. And a bit defensive. “No way! I reward them and recognize them every chance I get! They’re my rock stars!” “Are you kidding me? I worship my top performers! They carry the weight for the whole team!” “I would NEVER do anything to undermine them! They always go above and beyond.” Here’s the thing: Leaders wouldn’t intentionally penalize their top performers, but it might be Read More
Customer Service Problem? Maybe Not!
Customer Service Problem? Maybe Not!
Quit Ignoring Unacceptable Behaviors and Attitudes by Leadership Keynote Speaker Connie Podesta Consider this scenario. When the report says customer satisfaction is way down, the manager wants to get to the bottom of it. The questions are fast and furious. Have the salespeople fallen down on the job? What’s the standard script for the customer service staff when calls come in? Are the clients becoming pickier because of the tough economy? Perhaps a competitor is starting to offer better products and features, so we are no longer measuring up. In the business world, there are Read More
Quit Leading Everyone the Same
Quit Leading Everyone the Same
Avoiding the Leadership “Golden Rule” Trap Read More
Quit Underestimating Workplace Dynamics
Quit Underestimating Workplace Dynamics
Friends and Leaders: The Challenges of Changing Roles By Leadership Keynote Speaker Connie Podesta When workplace roles change, so do relationships. Which can make for some very interesting—and perhaps awkward—situations. Consider the impact. Your best friend on the team gets promoted. Or you get promoted. In a single moment, there’s a clear shift. Instead of being grab-a-beer-after-work-to-complain-about-the-boss co-workers, now one of you IS the boss. Throwing a new sense of accountability into the mix quickly changes the dynamic. Here’s the issue. When the line between Read More
QUIT Settling for a Less Than ENGAGED Team
QUIT Settling for a Less Than ENGAGED Team
A Single Shift in Focus Can Dramatically Impact Results By Leadership Expert, Keynote Speaker and Author Connie Podesta What do we mean by engaged? Listens. Observes. Communicates. Offers ideas. And solutions. Appears happy most of the time. Enthusiastic. Works well with others. And likes their job. Most of the time me. Is that all? No way. One, they are more fun and easier to work with. Two, they contribute big time to a company’s bottom line. And three, they keep the energy rolling and the workplace on fire. How cool is that? Why are some employees engaged and others not? An Read More
Taking Care of Yourself is Smart Business
Taking Care of Yourself is Smart Business
A Leader-to-Leader Thought for the Day By Business Leadership Keynote Speaker Connie Podesta As leaders, we are aware that our employees will produce more. Sell more. Lead better. Collaborate easier. Increase production. And attract more customers when they are being positively supported, engaged, respected and encouraged. In other words, the better we are at creating and sustaining a healthy environment for our team, the healthier, happier, and more productive they will be. What we often forget, however, is that a healthy work/home environment always starts with a healthy Read More
How to Stand Out From the Crowd
How to Stand Out From the Crowd
And Why That’s More Important Than EVER By Motivational Keynote Speaker Connie Podesta I always tell my audiences, "If there was ever a time to differentiate yourself and Stand Out From The Crowd--it is NOW! Business as usual is over!" Bottom line: To rise to the top and stay there as an organization you must be able to answer this #1 question: "What do you bring to the table that is so unique, outstanding, so UNEXPECTEDLY awesome--that people would CHOOSE to do business with you, partner with you, buy from you, and trust you - rather than someone else?” Because the truth is Read More
Like It or Not: You ARE a Leader
Like It or Not: You ARE a Leader
Leadership Perceptions De-Bunked By Hall of Fame Keynote Speaker Connie Podesta Bottom line? YOU ARE A LEADER. All the time. Whether you’re at work or at home. Employed or stay at home parent. Paid job or volunteer. Willing or unwilling. Honestly? It doesn’t make any difference what you do or choose not do. Even if you THINK you are a follower and always avoid center stage, you can’t escape the fact that you are ALWAYS in the position to influence other people’s thoughts, actions and attitudes. That’s quite a responsibility. We influence others all the time. By what we say and Read More
How to Unlock the Potential Within Your Leadership Team
How to Unlock the Potential Within Your Leadership Team
Innovative Insights from Motivational Speaker Connie Podesta By Julie Escobar, Syndicated Columnist In a time when many organizations are working hard to grow their business, customer base, sales and profitability, savvy leaders are turning to industry experts for advice, motivation and real-world strategies for powerful change. I asked just such an industry expert -- Motivational Speaker and leadership expert Connie Podesta for her take on what’s working (and what’s not) for corporations and organizations today. Julie: Connie – what I love about you is that you’ve seen it ALL! As Read More