Manchester United soccer fans came across an “injured” runner. The critical factor for the fans' willingness to help was whether the runner wore a Manchester United T-shirt or a plain, neutral T-shirt. The study's results clearly show that:

•  92% of fans helped when the runner wore a Manchester United T-shirt.
•  33% of fans helped when the runner wore a plain T-shirt.

The observation comes from Adam Grant's book "Give and Take" and highlights how our willingness to help others is influenced by perceived group membership.

This concept resonates with my own experience from last weekend, where I supported friends at a rural project - where we built outdoor areas like a pavillon or a small lodge. I noticed differences in how engaged other helpers were, which from my perspective was due to a similar sense of group identity—or lack thereof. Just as fans were more willing to help someone they saw as part of their in-group, helpers feel more motivated when they...

Some people that are hiring us won’t like to read what I’m writing about today… Even though it should be in their best interest.

I’ve been working with many managers that gave up their values, their real opinions and by that themselves at a certain point when they have the feeling that they aren’t heard or not in the position to shape the company's future any more. They basically give up and stop taking responsibility.

In some cases I understand that they don’t believe in changing the organization anymore. Unfortunately, many aren’t willing to take the next necessary step by quitting and moving on - they rather stay and hope for something to happen or start blaming (and whining).
I think that many feel like giving up by quitting. They are afraid of what comes next - clinging to the past instead of welcoming the future. (No good trait for a modern lead in an always changing world).
This is a real problem for individuals and the whole...

Why should we address the impact when giving feedback on obvious topics?

It is quite clear that being late is not acceptable. So why should you still need to explain why this behavior is inappropriate?

In our workshops we often get the question why evident things need an explanation of the impact. 

I give you an example on the difference: 

• You can say: I saw that you were late for the meeting today. Please come on time next time. 
• OR you can say: I noticed that you were late for our meeting today. We are losing time in the team because we have to update you. Please come to the next meeting on time to make sure you get all the information. 

In the second case you explain WHY somebody should improve their behavior. This makes it more tangible. 

Here are more reasons to explain the impact of a behavior: 

• You create clarity and understanding: If the recipient understands how their behavior or performance affects others or what the consequences are, they...

It’s a classic real life challenge coming out of our workshops: You are part of a team becoming their manager (maybe even overnight) suddenly being in a completely different role with different benefits, challenges and implications.

Suddenly all the things you always wanted to change are in your hands. Your former worries as a team mate are yours now. You are suddenly your colleagues superior. Some of the individual habits that weren’t really your problem before are now maybe an issue.

Don’t get me wrong. It’s exciting and great that you’ll be able to change things and take responsibility now. But still: clear and transparent communication is crucial if you want to stay in a good personal relationship and be a good and fair manager. Here is what you should have in mind navigating the transition, because the shift in dynamics can introduce complexities. But with the right strategies, you can navigate this transition smoothly and successfully.

Role...

What do you think is the impact of leadership development in your organization or industry?

A Remarkable ROI of $7 for every $1 spent one of the standout findings from the 2023 study by BetterManager is the return on investment (ROI) that accompanies corporate leadership development programs. This substantial ROI highlights leadership development as a strategic investment with the potential to significantly impact a company's bottom line.

So what influences of leadership development affects your ROI?

• Direct Revenue Growth: Leadership development equips you with the skills to make strategic decisions, optimize operations, and enhance sales techniques. These improvements directly translate to increased revenue for your organization.
• Cost Savings: Your effective leadership can minimize operational inefficiencies and reduce errors, leading to significant cost savings.
• Employee Retention: As a well-trained leader, you can create a positive work environment, leading to higher employee...

To optimize our customers' hybrid collaboration we are more and more using Gustavo Razzetti's Culture Design Canvas. Let me share a little about that powerful tool that we are often using as a template to help teams and leaders develop a cohesive and vibrant workplace culture.

Here’s a closer look at what this tool entails and how you as a leader can effectively utilize it in a workshop setting:
The Culture Design Canvas is a strategic framework created by Gustavo Razzetti, aimed at helping organizations visualize, design, and implement their culture. It comprises various elements such as purpose, values, behaviors, rituals, and more. By addressing these factors systematically, teams can forge a unified culture that drives both engagement and performance.

In case you want to facilitate a workshop yourself you can download the canvas at https://www.fearlessculture.design/ and follow the following steps to make a workshop out of it:

1. Introduction: Begin by explaining the...

For sure i know what we are doing - how we support teams, how our product works and what our USP is. But to take time and really define a vision is helpful to understand better where we want to go. A clear vision and defined values are essential for the success of a team and a company. They provide orientation, strengthen the sense of community and promote a positive culture. 

You can imagine a business vision like a compass. Just as a compass guides us on a journey, pointing us in the right direction and keeping us on track, our vision provides guidance and clarity. It shows us where we want to go and helps us navigate through challenges.

So for example Amazon´s vision is: "To be Earth’s most customer-centric company, where customers can find and discover anything they might want to buy online, and endeavors to offer its customers the lowest possible prices." 

But what does this mean for the HR Team? What many people don´t think about is a team vision...

In our increasingly interconnected world, effective communication is more than just exchanging information; it's about understanding the nuanced ways in which people express themselves. Two pivotal concepts in this realm are low-context and high-context communication. 

If we would be effective robots we could basically only use low-context communication:
It’s direct, clear, and relies heavily on explicit verbal messages. Countries like the United States, Germany, and Scandinavia often favor this communication style. Here, the value is placed on precise words and directness. Texts, emails, or any form of written communication is preferred to convey messages accurately, leaving little room for interpretation. If you would ask to make a portrait of someone you’ll most likely get the left version of our picture.

People communicating like that can cut all the social “bullshit” and could appear super rude in some situations. If you want ChatGPT to give you the...

How much ad hoc feedback do you give in your remote working team? 

In many teams that work remotely, interim feedback is forgotten or has never really been practiced. Organizations often assume that quarterly or annual feedback are sufficient for developing a team culture. 

But that's not quite the case ... 

Regular feedback shows that you as a leader are aware of and value the work of your team. 

What other benefits does regular feedback have for you as a leader? 

1. Motivation and commitment: By regularly recognizing successes and identifying areas for development, team members can stay motivated and strengthen their commitment to their role.
2. Quick problem solving: Daily feedback allows problems to be identified early and resolved quickly before they escalate into bigger issues. You save time in the long run!
3. Building trust and relationships: Regular interaction and sharing of feedback helps build trust between you and your team members and strengthen...

Today's newsletter is going to be very short!

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Der heutige Newsletter ist wirklich super kurz!

Wir arbeiten derzeit an einer OpenAI-basierten Digital Leader AI (Beta-Version) - unserem KI-Coach mit Links zu Handouts, Büchern, Online-Whiteboards und Videos, die wir kuratiert oder selbst erstellt haben.

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