Management Archives

Trust and Inspire Quotes by Stephen M. R. Covey (+ Context)

A professional man in suit and tie reading a book in an office

Are you clear about your expectations for your employees? Do you “declare your intent” to those you lead? What’s the difference between a good leader and a great one? In Trust and Inspire, Stephen M. R. Covey asserts that the shift from industrial-era to modern-day work necessitates a leadership evolution. He explains how and why you should step up from traditional to inspirational leadership to succeed in all areas of your organization and life. Read on for a few Trust and Inspire quotes to get a sense of the book.

The End of Average by Todd Rose: Book Overview & Takeaways

A young woman reading a book outside a building.

Have you been told that you’re average? How useful is it to use averages as a measure? What harm does it do? We’re so accustomed to using averages that we neglect to question whether they’re actually useful. The End of Average by Todd Rose argues that, when we use averages to judge people, we typically arrive at inaccurate and harmful conclusions. Continue reading for an overview of this book that will have you looking at yourself and everyone else in a new way.

The Experience vs. Education Debate: Hire People, Not Diplomas

Two cartoon men at podiums representing the experience vs. education debate.

What’s wrong with current hiring practices? Why are many qualified people getting rejected? Todd Rose wades into the experience vs. education debate in his book The End of Average. He argues that skills outweigh degrees, and he advocates for an emphasis on credentials rather than diplomas in today’s workplace. Continue reading to understand Rose’s argument, and consider how it stacks up to your own experience and observation.

Why Autonomy Is Important in the Workplace (Todd Rose)

A young professional woman smiling with a window in the background, showing why autonomy is important in the workplace.

How much direction should managers give employees? Why is autonomy in the workplace important? At work, your manager might judge your performance with benchmarks calibrated to the average worker. Psychologist Todd Rose argues in The End of Average that individuality among employees is ultimately better for a company’s bottom line. Autonomy is a key that unlocks this door. Read more to understand why autonomy is important in the workplace.

Fostering Individualism in the Workplace: 2 Musts for Managers

A white-haired bearded man dressed in a tie that is happy with individualism in the workplace.

Do you leverage the unique aspects of your employees, or do you expect them to conform to the norm? Do you value degrees over skills? In The End of Average, Todd Rose says that judging people in comparison to the average does significant damage to society when people abuse averages in the workplace. He asserts that, if employees can use their individual strengths at work, they’ll be more productive and fulfilled. Keep reading to learn the merits of individualism in the workplace.

3 Signs That Toxic Behavior in the Workplace Is a Problem

Two angry employees displaying toxic behavior in the workplace.

Are some of your coworkers jerks? At what point should you address their behavior? The first step to confronting toxic behavior in the workplace is determining the full context of the situation. Sometimes, it’s not worth it or necessary to take any action. But, sometimes it’s critical. If the situation meets certain characteristics, you need to address the behavior. Continue reading for tips from organizational psychologist Robert I. Sutton.

25 Business Model Questions Every Entrepreneur Must Answer

What should you consider when creating a business model? How should you evaluate and test a new model? A business model defines how a company creates, delivers, and captures economic value. Drawing from concepts in the books Business Model Generation and Running Lean, we’ve created six exercises containing several business model questions that will help you devise a model that fits your vision. Continue reading for these exercises you can do with your team.

44 Questions to Ask About Company Growth: Keep Scaling Up

Has your business stalled out on the path toward your vision? What have you failed to consider? What questions do you need to answer? If you’re a business leader, you’re concerned about your company’s growth—regardless of the phase of growth it’s in. We’ve put together 13 exercises containing a total of 44 questions to ask about company growth that are based on concepts in Built to Last, The E-Myth Revisited, Traction, and Zero to One. Read on for these practical exercises you can do on your own or with your managers.

How to Build an Effective Team Based on Responsibilities

Do you want to learn how to build an effective team? What are some strategies you can use? To build an effective team, consider grouping people according to one responsibility. Looking at how single-responsibility teams are built can give you insight into how to make a team effective. See how single-responsibility teams work and how the idea can help you make a strong team.

The 17 Indisputable Laws of Teamwork According to John Maxwell

What are the key points in The 17 Indisputable Laws of Teamwork? What does John C. Maxwell have to say about leading and working in a team? The 17 Indisputable Laws of Teamwork describes a winning team as one where people are in roles suited for them and have a shared identity and common goal. By looking at each piece of Maxwell’s advice, you can learn how to put together a team that works. Here is an overview of The 17 Indisputable Laws of Teamwork with analysis.