Exact Staff News

When you have a tough problem to solve, conventional management wisdom dictates that you gather your team members and collectively “think outside the box.” But, what is that “box,” anyway? How, exactly, are people supposed to “think outside” it? And, most importantly, is “thinking outside the box” truly the best way to develop innovative solutions…

When is the last time an employee contradicted the majority? Challenged your thinking? Expressed a controversial opinion in an otherwise smooth meeting? If you can’t remember, you need to keep reading. Dissent in the workplace is uncomfortable. Disruptive. Complicated. When an employee disagrees with the rest of the group, it slows down processes by requiring…

Gut feelings and hunches? Save them for choosing your next dessert. You’re a manager – which means that you need to apply disciplined, sound strategies to your decision-making practices. While it’s nearly impossible to distill complex decision-making processes into a few terse bullets, solid fundamentals are undeniably important. Here are four basic strategies you can…

“That’ll never work.” “That’s not in my job description.” “Nothing will ever change around here.” Negative talk can really ruin the vibe in an otherwise positive organization. And pessimistic, hostile or downright toxic employees do more than just irritate your team. They can destroy your corporate culture. Undermine productivity and trust. And contribute to unnecessary…

Sure, you hear the words coming out of their mouths. But are you really listening to what employees and other managers are saying? Great listening behaviors enhance your ability to lead, motivate and perform, but it takes more than functioning ears to be an effective listener. If you’d like to improve your skills in this…

Brown, spongy and shriveled. In the grocery store, it’s pretty easy to spot bad fruit. But when it comes to screening candidates, things get a little trickier. From entry-level to C-level, unscrupulous job seekers are notorious for stretching the truth on their resumes. Some of the most common lies include: changing dates of employment, especially…

When you and your teammates embarked on this project, you were full of excitement and enthusiasm. Everyone worked to their full potential, applying their skills and creativity to achieve your objective. But lately, that passion has cooled. Progress toward your goal has slowed. And the finish line seems further away than ever. It’s understandable. With…

Looking for ways to be smarter and more successful at work? Of course, you are – otherwise, you probably wouldn’t have clicked on this post title. So, let’s get to the good stuff… Smart, successful, high-performing people operate differently from their “average” counterparts. And in many cases, it’s what they DON’T do that gives them…

Juiceboxes and Nickelodeon reruns? Nope – try again. Generation Z, also known as iGen or homelanders, is all grown up. Entering the workforce. And changing how job satisfaction is defined. Just what does gen Z want at work – and how can you deliver it? Let’s start by understanding what makes them different from older…

“The best laid schemes o’ mice an’ men / Gang aft a-gley.” –Robert Burns, “To a Mouse” Is the language in this excerpt archaic? Yep. Are there mice in your organization? We certainly hope not. Verbiage and rodents aside, Burns’ message is timeless and universal: Regardless of your organization’s size, industry, competition or market, the…