Author Archives for Louellen Essex

5 Overlooked Ways to Motivate Your Staff

March 9, 2015 7:06 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

Motivation is a complex topic. Because each employee has differing needs and drives, one size doesn’t fit all. Yet, everyone has a handful of basic desires: to make a contribution, to feel part of something meaningful, and to be acknowledged. Sometimes leaders forget to utilize those fundamental principles to create a motivating work environment. Here are some things you can…


How to Effectively Recover from a Significant Mistake

February 19, 2015 2:06 am Published by Leave your thoughts

No leader does everything correctly all of the time. Mistakes most typically involve misinterpretation of information leading to poor decision-making, not including the right people at the right time in important initiatives, intervening too late in a situation, demonstrating poor interpersonal behaviors that create defensiveness and a climate of disrespect, or not using resources wisely. A poorly executed recovery can…


5 Leadership Behaviors that Destroy Trust

February 3, 2015 2:11 am Published by Leave your thoughts

Trust is essential to a productive relationship between leaders and their staff members. Without it, the work environment becomes filled with fear and uncertainty. Trust is built through a pattern of trustworthy behavior that occurs consistently over a period of time. It can, however, be destroyed in a matter of minutes. Be aware of and avoid these trust-busting behaviors. Not…


How to Focus on the Present and Become More Mindful in 2015

January 8, 2015 2:12 am Published by Leave your thoughts

While the New Year is a time to set goals and plan ahead, what about staying in the present, focused on the here and now? Mindfulness is a conscious effort to be completely present, setting aside worries, expectations, judgment, and other thoughts and emotions to be fully aware of the current moment. It’s the opposite of automatic functioning, going through…


How to Repair a Damaged Work Relationship

December 11, 2014 2:13 am Published by Leave your thoughts

We’ve all had encounters with co-workers that didn’t go well, yielding lasting negative consequences. The resulting tension in the air makes communication awkward and productivity often wanes. Realistically, some relationships are easier to repair than others, since you can’t force reconciliation. Making a sincere attempt to restore a damaged relationship, however, has a good chance of success if you follow…


Meaningful Ways to Give Thanks to Your Staff

November 21, 2014 2:14 am Published by Leave your thoughts

With Thanksgiving around the corner, now is a good time to think carefully about how you show gratitude to your staff for their contributions to the work environment. Research tells us time and time again that many don’t feel they are appreciated for their efforts, particularly as the pace of change accelerates in many organizations, causing long hours and extra…


How Good is Your Business Etiquette?

November 6, 2014 2:15 am Published by Leave your thoughts

An important aspect of professionalism is developing good business etiquette that casts you in the best of lights, no matter what situation you encounter. Etiquette means being appropriate, gracious, and polite. It requires knowing the rules that dictate good manners. Test your awareness in these situations: 1. T or F The following is a proper introduction: _ Mr. Boss, I…


5 Fatal Flaws that Cause New Leader Failure

October 23, 2014 3:32 am Published by Leave your thoughts

It’s estimated that nearly half of new leaders fail within the first eighteen months on the job. The costs of recruitment, training, and orientation of the leader, as well as the negative impact on employee morale, makes this situation highly destructive. Organizations that are guilty of selection blunders often overlook behaviors known to contribute to a leader’s demise. Here are…


3 Steps to Gaining More Influence in Your Organization

October 2, 2014 3:32 am Published by Leave your thoughts

Influence is critical to the success of any leader. It means garnering enough power within your organization to gain support from others and achieve the results you are working toward. Effective leaders develop a strong base of influence. They know how to use high impact influence skills, causing others to want to follow their lead, rather than being coerced. Their…