Wherever people gather, gossip is the norm ── the work place being no exception. Leaders do not talk about people. Leaders know that gossip hurts the object of the gossip and the perpetrator. ─ Ken Chapman ─ Ken Chapman & Associates, Inc.

Leaders know you teach your team what is acceptable by what you allow, what you stop, and what you reinforce. Action provides clarity! Ken Chapman, Ph.D. –Ken Chapman & Associates, Inc.–

By Beth Lanier Ken Chapman & Associates, Inc. Layoffs, job cuts, downsizing or rightsizing: no matter how you phrase it – or how necessary it may be – letting people go is difficult and disheartening. Living through a severance process is hard; leading others through one may well be the biggest challenge of a leader’s career. There are savings to target, costs to lower and staff levels to reach. Employees worry about their futures and their co-workers, while managers (though worried as well) shoulder the additional burden of making the hard decisions that affect both. Employee confidence is shaken on many levels: belief in their own abilities, belief in management and belief in the stability of the company as a whole. Even the best employees in the organization begin searching elsewhere ” just in case.” The only thing becoming more productive in the near-term is the rumor mill. Companies going…

As children we are taught honesty is the best policy, and as adults, it is still true! Leaders are honest with themselves and with others. ─ Whitney Tate

Shannon Allen walks through how mentorship works, sharing her experiences of both having mentors and serving as a mentor herself.  What makes successful mentorships mutually beneficial to both participants? Who should seek out mentorships? What are the expectations of mentors and mentees? Should both participants be from the same industry? Should you choose a mentor much older than you? What should the mentor have in common with the mentee to maximize success? How long should mentorships last? What's the difference between mentors and role models? What are common misconceptions about mentoring? What causes mentorships to fail? How can you approach someone if you want to ask if they'll serve as your mentor? If you think you can add value to someone's career growth or life, what's the best way to approach them and offer mentorship?  EPISODE RESOURCES: Connect with Shannon on LinkedIn

A Leader knows that taking care of others means taking care of one’s self── first! This is all the more true in times of economic stress. There’s a reason the flight attendant wants us to put the oxygen mask on ourselves first. We can’t help others if we’re unconscious. Taking care of one’s self, emotionally and physically, ensures the strength and endurance to guide others. Proper rest keeps the mind sharp and patience high. –Beth Lanier–

Federal Judge Percy Anderson has tossed out a lawsuit against Starbucks. The lawsuit alleged that baristas put too much ice in cold drinks. Judge Anderson wrote: “As young children learn, they can increase the amount of beverage they receive if they order no ice. If children have figured this out, then a reasonable [adult] customer will not be confused that an ice tea contains ice. My recommended remedy: State a preference for no ice when ordering.” Leaders know what a reasonable employee request looks like—and when in doubt, the “young children” standard can be a good one. ─ Ken Chapman ─ Ken Chapman & Associates, Inc.

Leaders know the “experienced” employee is the most “at risk” employee. It is human nature that the more you do something and the more you do it well, the more likely you place it below the level of awareness. Once complacency arrives, unsafe behaviors soon follow. Leaders know safety never gets done— it’s always getting done. -Ken Chapman, Ph.D.

A saleswoman and a scientist sat next to each other on a long flight. The scientist decided to demonstrate what he considered his superior intelligence. His plan was simple. He would win a little money by showcasing his I.Q. The two agreed to trade riddles. The scientist was so sure he would win he offered the saleswoman $10 if she could stump him. She, on the other hand, would pay only a $1 when he stumped her. The saleswoman went first and asked: “What has three legs and cl…imbs Palm Trees?” Embarrassed, the scientist gave up and paid the $10. Then he said with a sneer: “O.K., what is it that has three legs and climbs palm trees?” “I don’t know either,” grinned the saleswoman, giving the scientist a dollar. Leaders know presenting yourself as “the smartest guy in the room” means you’re probably not as smart as you think…

The sandbox tree grows pumpkin-shaped fruit that explodes when ripe. The explosion launches the seeds as far as three-hundred feet at speeds up to 150 mph. Its nickname is the “dynamite tree.” Leaders know business, just like nature, often confronts us with the strange and unexpected. The best strategy for minimizing the dynamite tree effect is thoughtful planning. ─ Ken Chapman, Ph.D.