The Dreaded Re-org
When was the last time you went through a corporate reorganization and then said – well, now, THAT’s better! If that’s NEVER been your reaction, you’re not alone. Reorgs are sometimes code for layoffs. Other times, people don’t necessarily lose their jobs, but they OFTEN lose momentum, focus, and a sense of stability. Study after […]
Use Daily Huddles to Increase Team Performance
Here’s a practice that is sure to improve the performance of your team. Daily huddles. Short, daily team get-togethers that set you up for success every day. I recently prescribed daily huddles for a client of mine, and the next time I talked to them, they couldn’t believe all the good that had come out […]
Are You Limiting Discretionary Effort?
When it comes to “discretionary effort”, that extra morsel of human effort (we call it “oomph”) that each of us is capable of contributing when, but only when we want to, much of it is being withheld, owing to a variety of factors. Consider for a moment the following discretionary effort “limiter” that just might […]
AI By The Hearts, Heads, & Yes, Numbers
Those who are adopting AI purely for near term results are largely destined for disappointment & heartache. In transitioning to AI, business leaders in labor-intensive organizations should:
Why Engagement Matters Now More Than Ever
In an especially good 12/27/25 Wall Street Journal piece (“Companies Are Outlining Plans for 2026. Hiring Isn’t One of Them”), Chip Cutter notes that US business hiring has predictably slowed to a crawl on the cusp of full-blown AI launch, and anticipated corollary job reductions. As a result, many who might otherwise have entertained a […]
So Long, 2025
The year 2025 is about to come to an end. Thank goodness, some would say. On the good side, Unemployment stayed relatively stable, and under the level of full employment. The US economy DID add a significant number of jobs in 2025, just not as many as in each of the last couple of years, […]
Some Thoughts for Leaders On the Front Edge of AI
AI is already replacing jobs, and we’re just at the start of powerful tsunami that promises to wipe out countless more. Have you thought about how, down the road, you’ll fill your middle and senior ranking talent with fewer humans in the developmental levels of your organization?
Motivated People Move Faster
Treating people right, to include with high expectations, is still one of the very best things you can do for your organization’s customers, your bottom line, and yes, your employer reputation. The current practice of firing, unfiring, and refiring federal workers in retaliation for political disagreement is a particularly visible example of what NOT to do to motivate workers.
Making AI-Related Downsizing Suck Less
Good advice on dealing with downsizing caused by the growth of AI tools in the workplace.
On AI and Real, Pulsating Humans
The fact that you CAN whack 300 heads via AI doesn’t mean that you SHOULD.