Blanchard’s Situational Leadership® II model is based on the idea that an individual’s development is goal or task specific. It also teaches that there are four predictable phases a person goes through as they develop. In a nutshell when learning something new we often start out as an Enthusiastic Beginner. Then from there, if we…
Dear Madeleine, I’m one of two managers at a small company. Recently, a couple of the other manager’s employees shared some feedback with me—in confidence—that their manager is micromanaging them and doing other things that make their jobs more stressful and less enjoyable. None of them are willing to bring this to their manager and they…
What is it about the word why that makes people so defensive? Perhaps it’s because we believe we have to defend our position. Perhaps it’s because of the way it is sometimes said with a certain tone. Or maybe it’s because we find it irritating when our small kids relentlessly use this word. I remember…
Call it what you may – the “aha” moment, the light bulb, sudden awareness, or moment of meaning. It is that wonderful flash of insight learners or people being coached experience when the pieces come together and a shift in thinking happens. That moment extends well beyond learning and problem solving. It is the moment…
There’s currently some fantastic technology out there, from wearables and self-lacing shoes (yes, like the ones in Back to the Future) to VR and spectacular advances in science that will someday make it to consumer products. But what about beyond the current advances? And what about tech that can help us become better leaders? Currently,…
This Coaching Tuesday guest post is by Judith Donin. I recently found myself sitting beside a young entrepreneur on a flight, and we started chatting. His business was at a crossroads and he was seeking a mentor for help getting unstuck. When he noticed my study books, the topic turned to coaching. Then he asked me…
Ask Madeleine is on holiday break this week. Coaching expert Madeleine Blanchard will return to answer a new set of questions about workplace challenges on January 2. In case you missed them, here are the five most viewed questions Madeleine answered in 2015. #5. My Boss Is a Jerk Dear Madeleine, My boss is a total jerk.…
Dear Madeleine, I have an employee who is borderline insubordinate and unquestionably insolent. The issue is that she is a hot-and-cold employee—possibly suffering from depression. Instead of listening when I try to help her with her challenges at work, she verbally attacks me. How do I supervise someone who is hostile one day and yet…
Over the last several days I’ve been working with a really wonderful client who offers their entire leader population all sorts of phenomenal development opportunities—including coaching skills training. While everyone agrees that coaching is a good thing, there is disagreement about how, when, and where coaching should be applied. Here are some myths and misconceptions…
Dear Madeleine, I lead a great team at a large construction engineering firm. I feel that my boss is being taken advantage of by a couple of my peers who report to him. My boss travels a lot, so he is never here to see what really goes on, but I see people coming in late,…