The 2 Minute Takeaway Podcast: Recent Episodes
Ken Okel
Get actionable leadership tips in roughly 2 minutes from Leadership Keynote Speaker and Productivity Expert, Ken Okel.
If you work at a business that has just been acquired, then it's understandable if you're nervous about a merger. A lot of uncertainty comes when new ownership takes over. Often these deals happen in secrecy, so they come as a big surprise. What should you do next? I asked my LinkedIn connections for their [...]
The post Nervous About a Merger? appeared first on Ken Okel.
A good way to get work done faster and improve your work-life balance will see you solve procrastination with deadlines. In many cases, wanting to do a good job with projects is important. But are you spending too much time on certain things, in the pursuit of perfect, where the extra effort does little to [...]
The post Solve Procrastination With Deadlines appeared first on Ken Okel.
If you're a leader, then understand you will be judged on responding to an unexpected challenge. Some sort of problem will emerge, you likely will have little control over it, and yet you'll be expected to find a path out of the challenge. Do you have the skills to make this kind of fast adjustment? [...]
The post Responding to an Unexpected Challenge appeared first on Ken Okel.
Celebrate episode 700 of this podcast with a story about why you may need to redefine impossible. When faced with an unexpected challenge, do you find yourself immediately throwing in the towel and saying, "It can't be done."? What if, in those moments, you were selling yourself and others short? Join me on stage, at [...]
The post Redefine Impossible appeared first on Ken Okel.
For businesses that have been around for a while, it's important to consider if you're old or experienced. The two are not always the same and you need to understand the difference. If your business is just old, then trouble might be down the road. Find out what makes something old, still relevant, in this week's [...]
The post Old or Experienced? appeared first on Ken Okel.
These tips for smart networking at conferences can help you boost your return on investment when you attend events. For many, the ability to connect with fellow professionals is a big reason why they go. But you may not get the success you desire if you don't have a strategy. Find out how your fellow [...]
The post Tips For Smart Networking at Conferences appeared first on Ken Okel.
If you want a job or a task done correctly, then you need to understand that poor training produces poor results. When you assume someone will understand exactly what you want, through some kind of magic, disappointment is often around the corner. This was never more true than when I saw an employee's vision of [...]
The post Poor Training Produces Poor Results appeared first on Ken Okel.
In a world where technology is everywhere, should your smartphone be banned in meetings? Meetings are a place where lively discussions are supposed to happen, leading to major decisions. Does the smartphone interfere with that productive process? Recently, I polled my LinkedIn connections on the topic and found there's support for several different strategies when [...]
The post Should Your Smartphone Be Banned in Meetings? appeared first on Ken Okel.
If you're outsourcing a task, then you need to ask your provider, "Who does does the work?" The answer can save you time, money, and frustration. When you hire someone to do a job for you, it's understandable to expect their showcased level of quality. That may not be the case, as your account may [...]
The post Who Does the Work? appeared first on Ken Okel.
In business, it's easy to let cheap problems hurt your productivity. These are little issues that are extremely annoying. But they aren't your big problems or your most pressing issues. Are you giving these cheap problems too much of your attention at the expense of more important things? How can we handle this time management [...]
The post Do Cheap Problems Hurt Your Productivity? appeared first on Ken Okel.
In your career, it's important to consider who's watching you. There's a good chance you may be exhibiting behavior that hurts you but you believe that you can get away with it because no one is looking at you, in the moment. You believe that if no one sees it, then it doesn't matter. That's [...]
The post Who’s Watching You? appeared first on Ken Okel.
Having a sense of purpose at work is an important part of a career. It's empowering to find that connection, as it can help you stay motivated and help you get through challenging times. Not long ago, I polled my LinkedIn connections about their purposes at work and I discovered they fall into four categories. [...]
The post Do You have a Sense of Purpose at Work? appeared first on Ken Okel.
In business, you need to watch your words with customers. The things you say to them, even as offhand remarks, can become major turnoffs. And in a competitive marketplace that could cost you business. Even if you have the best marketing and branding, you and your employees can repel customers with your words. Let's go [...]
The post Watch Your Words With Customers appeared first on Ken Okel.
If your Monday morning productivity is a concern, then you'll like these tips to start your week off strong. Each is designed to be easily implemented. Complex things usually never become habits. You don't want to get into a situation where you feel like you're falling behind on your week and it's only Monday morning. [...]
The post Tips to Start Your Week Off Strong appeared first on Ken Okel.
Have you ever wondered if you can change your clients? Sometimes, they can be demanding and ask you to do things beyond your scope of work agreement. I was asked this question by an audience member not long ago. And while this isn't exactly my area of expertise, I understood the problem and knew there [...]
The post Can You Change Your Clients? appeared first on Ken Okel.
When you've got a tough challenge, what you do next is very important. Obviously, you'll want to pursue a solution. But how do you go about that process? Leaving it to chance may not produce a good outcome and could waste a lot of time. Instead, define how you'll approach finding a solution. Learn how [...]
The post You’ve Got a Tough Challenge. Now What? appeared first on Ken Okel.
It's important for leaders to understand that employees can learn how to exceed limitations at work. It can be easy to pigeonhole people's skills and their ability to make positive changes. That kind of growth can happen faster than you think, especially during challenging times, if you're open to providing three key pieces of information. [...]
The post Exceed Limitations at Work appeared first on Ken Okel.
You may recognize some of these common boss complaints. While some might call them minor quirks, they could represent problems that could impact your hiring and retention efforts. And if you're a leader, you may not have realized certain behaviors could become a turnoff for employees. Why not change behaviors before you get a bad [...]
The post Common Boss Complaints appeared first on Ken Okel.
These four daily business questions can bring some focus and discipline to your career. While none of them are complicated, all can provide a bridge to a more productive tomorrow. You may have noticed that increased demands and responsibilities keep you from your most important work or your long-term goals. As a result, your days [...]
The post Four Daily Business Questions appeared first on Ken Okel.
At conferences, should the boss party with employees? At many of these events, there are opportunities to let your hair down and have some fun. If you're a leader, have you thought about how you'll respond to an invitation to join the rest of your employees at the festivities? While there's not a right or [...]
The post Should the Boss Party With Employees at a Conference? appeared first on Ken Okel.
While embracing unexpected change may sound like a skill that requires some clairvoyance, it's something you can master on the job. It's all about thinking proactively, rather than waiting for situations to happen. If you only react to these events, you're likely operating in a state of panic, which may not product the best results. [...]
The post Embracing Unexpected Change appeared first on Ken Okel.
These good business takeaways for 2024 can help you avoid some common problems. All are actionable and some might say a few of the tips are a bit obvious. The power of these takeaways is that they identify challenges where you need to act. Things will not get better if you do nothing. Let's strengthen [...]
The post Good Business Takeaways For 2024 appeared first on Ken Okel.
Let a trip to the dance floor provide you with inspiration for better employee training. Ideally, you want your employee training to become second nature for people. This prevents a lot of mistakes and costly shortcuts. Often employee training doesn't go far enough to reach your level of desired excellence. See how some simple dance [...]
The post Dance Your Way to Better Employee Training appeared first on Ken Okel.
Let's make better decision at work. Because there's a chance you're making important decisions based on random factors. That can lead to disappointing outcomes. I've found that with a little more consideration, the quality of your decisions will improve. Let's look at four elements of this process, in this week's episode of The 2 Minute Takeaway [...]
The post Let’s Make Better Decisions appeared first on Ken Okel.
You need to make sure you don't create a communication gap with your employees and your customers. Otherwise, you may allow rumors to spread about your business. Plus, this poor communication habit could see you wasting a lot of time with unwanted distractions. Find out why, not saying anything, is never a smart communication strategy, in [...]
The post The Communication Gap appeared first on Ken Okel.
If you can follow some simple strategies for work-life balance, then you can make some positive improvements in your life. Often, when we think of work-life balance, it's about major changes. Unfortunately, the bigger the change, the more likely it won't become a habit. Instead let's focus on four actionable strategies. Rebalance yourself, in this week's [...]
The post Simple Strategies For Work-Life Balance appeared first on Ken Okel.
These successful habits for remote work are designed to empower you, if you're new to working from home. Whether it's your first job or one that no longer has an office, some good habits will make your work life much easier. Otherwise you may find yourself wasting time and energy. And for some, working from [...]
The post Successful Habits for Remote Work appeared first on Ken Okel.
It can be uncomfortable to get the courage to change. Professionally, you may feel stuck or unwilling to get out of your comfort zone. What if you could solve this problem with a mindset adjustment? Join me on stage for a memorable and fun story about how you can find the courage to make a [...]
The post Get the Courage to Change appeared first on Ken Okel.
If you're having a hard time finding new workers, then you should consider these hiring tips for overqualified employees. There's a good chance you may be missing out on some people, simply because they may seem too good to be true. How will these employees fit into your work culture and are some of them [...]
The post Hiring Tips For Overqualified Employees appeared first on Ken Okel.
While you may enjoy a lot of professional success, it's good to know how to come back from a setback. These disappointing moments may leave you baffled and unsure how to handle things. I've asked my LinkedIn followers for their best ways to come back from a setback and I think you'll be able to [...]
The post How To Come Back From a Setback appeared first on Ken Okel.
Ask yourself these important business questions to unveil ongoing problems or new opportunities in your organization. They are designed to make you face some important truths. While each question is rather simple, they can lead to productive discussions. Start asking the right questions, in this week's episode of The 2 Minute Takeaway Podcast. Get your copy [...]
The post Important Business Questions appeared first on Ken Okel.
If you need a pep talk or words of encouragement for your employees, then consider saying, "Priceless must be played." It's a reference to a very expensive musical instrument and why it can't hold its value if it's locked in a case. Enjoy this short story from one of my speaking presentations, that's designed to [...]
The post Priceless Must Be Played appeared first on Ken Okel.
As you look to build teamwork and celebrate accomplishments, you need to ask yourself if employees want office parties. You might be surprised to learn some of your old traditions may no longer fit your team. A lot has changed in the workplace over the past few years and some may want office parties to [...]
The post Do Employees Want Office Parties? appeared first on Ken Okel.
If you feel professionally stuck, then you may need this smart career advice for 2024. I recently polled my followers about the areas where they plan to make improvements. We'll talk about the popularity of each option and how you can approach them. Often, these are tips that can take you to a new level [...]
The post Smart Career Advice for 2024 appeared first on Ken Okel.
Do your employees show courtesy on the job? While we expect this when they are dealing with customers, how about with each other? Simple acts of courtesy can make a major positive impact on your workplace culture. But with all the working from home that's been going on, some may be out of practice with [...]
The post Do Employees Show Courtesy? appeared first on Ken Okel.
In a competitive hiring market, you may be struggling to find new employees. This can be especially challenging if you can't afford to pay more. Let's talk about two other ways businesses make themselves more attractive to candidates. It's about promoting any edge that you already have, which separates you from your competition. The two [...]
The post Standing Out in a Competitive Hiring Market appeared first on Ken Okel.
Thanking a business referral is something most people want to do but they don't know how. If you do nothing, then you risk turning off a profitable pipeline of goodwill. Let's brainstorm several options that can give you a system for saying, "Thank you," to those who help you get business. These tips also will [...]
The post Thanking a Business Referral appeared first on Ken Okel.
Have you ever found yourself unexpectedly in a situation when you think that something is wrong? That feeling can produce confusion, anger, or just distract you from your important work. Recently, I found myself in this scenario and it made me realize this kind of problem is more common than you might think. Don't worry, [...]
The post When You Think Something Is Wrong appeared first on Ken Okel.
The world of coffee shops may provide you with an unexpected source for employee retention. Those businesses have mastered sales tactics that can keep customers coming back again and again. Guess what? You can use some of those same principles to make your employees want to stay on the job. Enjoy this tip, from one [...]
The post An Unexpected Source For Employee Retention appeared first on Ken Okel.
This Get Better! new book preview will give you a good idea of what the book is about. It contains smart business advice from unexpected mentors. None of them are celebrities, world-class athletes, or billionaires. Instead, the chapters provide great advice from extraordinary, yet ordinary people. These are stories I've discovered over the years and [...]
The post Get Better! New Book Preview appeared first on Ken Okel.
If you want to keep your top talent, then you must understand how employee turnoffs hurt retention. These problems may not seem big to you but they can play a huge role in an otherwise great employee deciding it's time to work somewhere else. Are you already making some of these costly leadership mistakes and [...]
The post These Employee Turnoffs Hurt Retention appeared first on Ken Okel.
In business, you should never underestimate the power of a fast response time. It can prevent a lot of problems and set you apart from your competition. Don't assume that business as usual will produce a fast response time. It usually takes an ongoing commitment to several important steps. Let's satisfy the marketplace's need for [...]
The post The Power of a Fast Response Time appeared first on Ken Okel.
If you feel like you're not getting enough accomplished on the job, then you should consider what wastes your time at work. I'm guessing there are likely some ongoing issues that take more time than they should. Complaining about these things is easy but making changes is hard. So let's go over some of the [...]
The post What Wastes Your Time at Work? appeared first on Ken Okel.
Workplace culture problems rarely happen overnight. They are usually a product of several issues in an organization. A falling workplace culture can be turned around but the longer you wait, the harder it will be to achieve. So why wait? Learn four important signs of workplace culture problems, in this week's episode of The 2 Minute [...]
The post Workplace Culture Problems appeared first on Ken Okel.
As a leader, do you understand the difference between easy and hard at work? Because if you don't, you may be creating frustrating situations for your employees. It can happen easily, when you make assumptions about their skill levels. Because easy street for you might take them to nightmare alley. Let's get everyone on the [...]
The post Understand the Difference Between Easy and Hard appeared first on Ken Okel.
Let's continue our important business discussion of some additional customer loyalty strategies. At a time when you may be forced to raise your prices, you want to make sure you're still an attractive choice for people. In our last episode, we talked about how exceptional service can keep customers engaged and willing to pay more. [...]
The post Additional Customer Loyalty Strategies appeared first on Ken Okel.
It is possible to improve customer loyalty with exceptional service. This was one of the findings from a recent LinkedIn poll I held about customer loyalty during times of price hikes. While most acknowledge the importance of exceptional service, not everyone knows how to put it practice. Let's focus on some actionable steps you can [...]
The post Improve Customer Loyalty With Exceptional Service appeared first on Ken Okel.
Some simple steps can help you create happiness in your workplace culture. At a time when retention and hiring may be challenging, you want your business to be as employee friendly as possible. You may be falling into some common traps, where you're letting random or outside factors negatively impact workplace happiness. Change and hopefully [...]
The post Create Happiness in Your Workplace Culture appeared first on Ken Okel.
If you want to hold onto your top talent, then you need to have some employee recognition strategies. You simply can't leave this to chance. Otherwise, you may give too much praise to the usual suspects and not enough to your behind the scenes superstars. And what are your options for ways to recognize excellent [...]
The post Employee Recognition Strategies appeared first on Ken Okel.
Organizations looking to improve should schedule a productivity holiday at work. This gives everyone a chance to catch up on important tasks that never seem to get done. If you're not careful, skipping these valuable activities will cost you dearly. What should you do on these days? Plan your productivity holiday, in this week's episode [...]
The post Hold a Productivity Holiday at Work appeared first on Ken Okel.
Poor employee engagement is a problem that rarely fixes itself. In fact, it usually gets worse and then exponentially worse. And there's a good chance it will never recover. Recently, I asked my connections on LinkedIn to share their thoughts on some of the biggest examples of poor employee engagement. Let's go through the results [...]
The post How to Prevent Poor Employee Engagement appeared first on Ken Okel.
Some common leadership communication mistakes lower productivity and hurt workplace culture. These problems may seem obvious but during busy times, they are easy to overlook. As a result, employees are left confused and may not to do things the way you want. Make sure you're saying, what you mean to be saying, in this week's [...]
The post Common Leadership Communication Mistakes appeared first on Ken Okel.
In business, it's important to understand your competition. They will influence a lot of your decisions. But some are competing against the wrong things. This can result in frustration, as well as lost time and money. Let's step back from the starting line and consider your true competitor or competitors. Get smart and get competitive, [...]
The post Understand Your Competition appeared first on Ken Okel.
If employee productivity and retention are concerns, then you may need a text message policy for work. Texting has become an increasingly popular workplace communication tool. But while its use is common, some bad habits are as well. These can lead to confusion and impact work-life balance. Learn how to have a clear message with [...]
The post Need a Text Message Policy for Work? appeared first on Ken Okel.
Join Ken Okel for a special performance of his Dance Machine story. In honor of our 650th episode, we're tearing up the format and doing something different. Hear a story that's about getting unstuck, trying something out of your comfort zone, and how that risk could pay big benefits years later. For Ken, it was [...]
The post Dance Machine Story appeared first on Ken Okel.
When you try to introduce a new idea to your business, you may hear ten excuses for avoiding change. These are common concerns designed to torpedo disrupting the status quo. Sometimes the excuses have merit but they may also represent playing it too safe, in a world where risk is rewarded. Learn the ten excuses [...]
The post Ten Excuses For Avoiding Change appeared first on Ken Okel.
While you may want to encourage your employees to do more, you need to understand the problem with business motivation. In today's economic climate, people may consider your rallying cry to be a big turnoff. When should you ask your team to do more and are productivity problems the fault of your employees? Find out [...]
The post The Problem With Business Motivation appeared first on Ken Okel.
When you must have a spark of inspiration at work, you need to be able to unleash creativity, when you're stuck. During busy and hectic days, your best ideas may not be flowing like a river. And every minute, the pressure on you grows, hurting your creativity. What if you could take some simple actions [...]
The post Unleash Creativity When You’re Stuck appeared first on Ken Okel.
If mistakes are up and productivity is down, then as a leader, you need to stop confusing your employees. You may be delivering instructions that make sense to you but not to anyone else. This is a common leadership problem, as people process information differently. And while you may think employees not following your instructions, [...]
The post Stop Confusing Your Employees appeared first on Ken Okel.
Does your business plan for employee vacations? In an increasingly stressed out world, it's important that your team members enjoy some time off. But are their vacations disrupting the productivity of your business? If you don't have a plan, there could be a negative impact for those in the office and on the beach. Let's [...]
The post Do You Plan for Employee Vacations? appeared first on Ken Okel.
During times of change, it's smart to strengthen your adaptability at work. This allows you to be able to respond more effectively to unexpected situations. Those who resist changing with the times or to a new challenge, may find themselves stuck professionally and unable to come up with good solutions. Adaptability is a soft skill [...]
The post Strengthen Your Adaptability at Work appeared first on Ken Okel.
If you want to improve your employee productivity and culture, you need to ask yourself if assumptions produce problems. Because you may be guessing a lot, on the job, about important things and you might be getting it wrong, more than you think. While it can be good to trust your instincts, you also need [...]
The post Do Assumptions Produce Problems? appeared first on Ken Okel.
Whether you're a recent college graduate or a seasoned professional, you'll appreciate this business career advice. It's adapted from a hypothetical commencement speech. Rather than share old jokes or generic success formulas, I wanted to give you some actionable ideas. Grow from these four professional strategies, in this week's episode of The 2 Minute Takeaway [...]
The post Business Career Advice appeared first on Ken Okel.
If you're looking for professional success, then you need to consider whether you're ready for your big break. Great opportunities sometimes arrive when you least expect them. You don't want to look back and feel like you didn't perform at your best, during an important moment. The good news is that you can start preparing [...]
The post Ready for Your Big Break? appeared first on Ken Okel.
If your workdays feel hectic and unproductive, then you may need to rethink your workload. There's a chance your focus may have gotten slightly off and that problem has grown over time. I took a poll on how business professionals get their work done and it produced some useful guidance. I'll also discuss the strengths [...]
The post Should You Rethink Your Workload? appeared first on Ken Okel.
If working from home sees you feeling drained at the end of the day, then you may need some ideas for work-life balance for remote work. Over the past few years, we've had a dramatic change to how we work and it's understandable that some problems have emerged. Working from home is expected to continue [...]
The post Ideas for Work-Life Balance for Remote Work appeared first on Ken Okel.
Stop ignoring customer complaints because they may hold some important truths for your business. Yes, there is a group of people who are never happy about anything and will nitpick any shortcomings. They are not the focus of our discussion. Instead, consider whether you have grown so resistant to negative feedback, that you ignore anything [...]
The post Stop Ignoring Customer Complaints appeared first on Ken Okel.
In today's uncertain business climate, it's smart to get ready for a layoff. Even the most optimistic employee should be prepared to hear bad news. After all, someone you've never met, may make a big decision about your future. If that bad day comes, why not be empowered, ahead of time, through preparation? Find out [...]
The post Get Ready for a Layoff appeared first on Ken Okel.
Leadership overreactions happen when a leader tries to quickly solve a problem but actually makes the situation worse. Keep in mind these actions often come from good intentions. But the decisions may hurt workplace culture and undermine those who make up your leadership team. Let's calmly react to the problem of leadership overreactions, in this [...]
The post Leadership Overreactions appeared first on Ken Okel.
While success should be your professional goal, you need to stop fearing failure. Because when things don't go well or as planned, some important growth can happen. What if failure was less of a dead end and more of an unexpected pit stop on your leadership journey? Learn to harness the power of failure, in [...]
The post Stop Fearing Failure appeared first on Ken Okel.
Busy or demanding times can make even the most effective managers fall into these common leadership mistakes. The problems can slow down a successful organization and take people's focus off your goals. Many of the mistakes fall into the category of bad behavior. The good news is you can break these harmful habits easily. Let's [...]
The post Do You Make These Common Leadership Mistakes? appeared first on Ken Okel.
Even the most successful people need to consider if you can lead under pressure. It takes a different set of skills to get through stressful days and unexpected challenges. Maybe you thought your position would be all smooth sailing. How do you navigate troubled waters? Find out some actionable strategies designed to strengthen your leadership [...]
The post Can You Lead Under Pressure? appeared first on Ken Okel.
Leaders need to understand the reasons why you lose employees. People have always switched from one job to another. Usually, it's not a random choice. Rather than trying to get a bulk discount for goodbye cakes, why not try to figure out if there are things you can do to convince good employees stick around. [...]
The post Reasons Why You Lose Employees appeared first on Ken Okel.
Leaders can immediately improve company culture if they learn how to answer employee questions. This is not just about the information you share but how you conduct yourself in that moment. It can be easy, during busy times, to rush through responses or push them back to someday. Don't believe that employees are not reacting [...]
The post How to Answer Employee Questions appeared first on Ken Okel.
Some simple steps can help you prevent some customer service mistakes. Employees may be costing your business money due to some common bad habits. Often, these are a sign of training that didn't go deep enough, considering the entire customer experience. Let's reinvigorate your sales process, in this week's episode of The 2 Minute Takeaway [...]
The post Prevent Customer Service Mistakes appeared first on Ken Okel.
While you want to improve your performance on the job, you may not know how to get more success at work. I believe four key areas can help provide a useful roadmap. In most cases, these involve making little adjustments that can pay off in a big way. And one of them, believe it or [...]
The post Get More Success at Work appeared first on Ken Okel.
Whether you're focused on customers or employees, you need to understand that mixed messages hurt your business. This kind of communication can easily start to happen in successful organizations. If you don't correct it, then it can become a form of self-sabotage, costing you big bucks and opportunities. Let's make sure the messages you are [...]
The post Mixed Messages Hurt Your Business appeared first on Ken Okel.
If you're concerned about employee retention and engagement, then you should find your business heroes. These are the people who make a big difference in your organization, even though many of them do this under the radar. Take the time to identify these people and use them as a template that can inspire others to [...]
The post Find Your Business Heroes appeared first on Ken Okel.
If you feel like you need to start using nametags at work, then your business may need some strategic retention tips. These can help you hold on to more of your top performers. And while paying more may work in some situations, a pay raise may not be enough to retain someone if your competition [...]
The post Strategic Retention Tips appeared first on Ken Okel.
In order to prevent bad employee behavior, leaders may need to adjust their workplace culture. During challenging times or times of uncertainty, your team may lose its focus. In its place, more selfish behavior may start to move in. The good news is that you can maintain good workplace culture, through some strategic moves. Say [...]
The post Prevent Bad Employee Behavior appeared first on Ken Okel.
In business, you can be busy all the time, during challenging days but do you worry about the right things? It's easy to put your focus in the wrong place, when a more urgent need may demand your attention. Often, we fall into this problem over time, as we lose track of top priorities. How [...]
The post Worry About the Right Things appeared first on Ken Okel.
While people may want to improve their personal or professional lives, do they need motivation to change? Simply knowing that something needs to get better, may not be enough to produce action. A status quo that's not getting better can become comfortable, if you're not careful. Instead, empower yourself with several actionable improvement strategies, in [...]
The post Need Motivation to Change? appeared first on Ken Okel.
If you're self-employed, then you may need to hear this solopreneur work-life balance tip. There's a good chance you need to reconnect with some of the fun traditions from the Monday through Friday work world. For instance, the office holiday party. These events give you a chance to network with colleagues and celebrate your accomplishments. [...]
The post Solopreneur Work-Life Balance Tip appeared first on Ken Okel.
An important leadership skill sees you able to get employees to follow your instructions. While this may sound obvious, there may come a time when you need to make a fast change in your business and your employees are the ones who must make it happen. Are you going to rely on chance to make [...]
The post How to Get Employees To Follow Your Instructions appeared first on Ken Okel.
At a time when you may be looking for a retention or team engagement edge, you may want to consider some employee appreciation gifts. This kind of gesture happens outside people's normal compensation. For some, the biggest challenge is selecting the gift. Recently, I conducted an unscientific survey on LinkedIn and found that people have [...]
The post Employee Appreciation Gifts appeared first on Ken Okel.
Let's continue our self-publishing discussion with more book writing tips. As you know, having an idea for a book is great but actually writing it is a different story. In episode 618, I talked about the importance of having a vision for your book, why I went with self-publishing, and how to do some market [...]
The post More Book Writing Tips appeared first on Ken Okel.
If you've been thinking about becoming an author for a while, then these book writing tips may give you the push you need. We live in a time when book publishing is more accessible than ever before. You do still have to write the book and that's where some become challenged. In this two part [...]
The post Book Writing Tips Part 1 appeared first on Ken Okel.
While some may not expect to hear this kind of career advice, ask yourself if you should be more selfish at work. While I am a big fan of teamwork, I also know that being too helpful can come at a price. In today's business world, people are being asked to do more and that [...]
The post Should You Be More Selfish at Work? appeared first on Ken Okel.
If you feel like employees are not taking your direction well, then you should take this approach to feedback. Feedback, when delivered well, can improve performance. But sometimes, it's used more like a hammer, when a feather would be a better tool. Most of us were never taught how to deliver feedback in school and [...]
The post Take This Approach to Feedback appeared first on Ken Okel.
Do you ever feel like you self-sabotage your workday? This can happen when you find yourself busy all day and yet accomplish very little. And while you know your goals, you never have much time to spend on them. The problem is that you're filling your day with lots of things that monopolize your productive [...]
The post Do You Self-Sabotage Your Workday? appeared first on Ken Okel.
To get ahead in your career, you need to be able to listen to your advice. Sometimes, we ignore the great words of wisdom we readily share with others because we doubt ourselves. This kind of behavior can really limit your potential and see you waste time, trying to find the perfect solution to your [...]
The post Listen to Your Advice appeared first on Ken Okel.
If you feel like your workplace productivity is either stuck or going down, then it may be time to change your meetings. You're likely spending too much time in them and accomplishing too little. You may be surprised to learn that certain behaviors are the root cause of the problems. Maximize your meetings, with some [...]
The post It’s Time to Change Your Meetings appeared first on Ken Okel.
If you feel distracted at work, then the problem may lie with your leadership style. You may be making some common mistakes that encourage people to interrupt you with questions and concerns. Your productive time is valuable and how much of it are you losing to all of these distractions? Make some simple adjustments and [...]
The post Feel Distracted at Work? appeared first on Ken Okel.
Some unexpected issues could put your business branding in danger. While you may have spent months coming up with logos and taglines, customers and potential employees may be judging you on very different things. Often you have no idea and may wonder why you're not as successful as you expected. Uncover one of these potential [...]
The post Is Your Business Branding in Danger? appeared first on Ken Okel.
While it's easy to talk about improvement at work, will you commit to higher standards? This kind of pursuit of excellence does not happen overnight. Often, it's about making little changes that add up in a big way. When these best practices become daily habits, you unlock the door to higher performance. Let's start your [...]
The post Will You Commit to Higher Standards? appeared first on Ken Okel.
Success in business often depends on understanding how to avoid the innovation trap. This can make you think that you're doing important new work, when it's really more like the old way of doing things. Your ability to change when challenged by new issues is critical to your success. It's time to understand what you're [...]
The post Avoid the Innovation Trap appeared first on Ken Okel.
Otherwise successful businesses can fall into some workplace productivity traps. While none will immediately ruin your organization, they can slow things down and really limit your potential. You don't want little problems that can grow over time, to define your future success. Take control with some simple tips, in this week's episode of The 2 [...]
The post Workplace Productivity Traps appeared first on Ken Okel.
The price of procrastination is wasted time, stress, and a loss of productivity. It all comes from delaying decisions about most problems at work. The passage of time will not magically solve the issue and things may get worse. But I understand it is tempting to delay a response until tomorrow. Use these tips to [...]
The post The Price of Procrastination appeared first on Ken Okel.
If you don't respect your deadlines at work, you may be opening the door to mediocrity. Deadlines exist for a reason and you may allow some bad habits to undermine them. Also, arbitrarily setting deadlines can lead to other problems. Let's take the time to make sure you're approaching your ticking clock of needs in [...]
The post Respect Your Deadlines appeared first on Ken Okel.
While it may feel impossible, you can get rid of mistakes at work. These are those little errors, like typos, that produce frustration, cost you money, and waste your time. While you may be tempted to immediately blame someone for the problem, you may have a larger issue that needs to be examined. Use this [...]
The post Get Rid of Mistakes at Work appeared first on Ken Okel.
If you need your employees to do things a specific way, right away, then you'll profit from these tips for employee motivation. Simply giving orders may not result in the fast change you need. Instead, you may want to unleash several strategies, designed to make employees embrace and appreciate the new change. Get motivated in [...]
The post Tips For Employee Motivation appeared first on Ken Okel.
While it may sounds obvious, the key to a high performance at work is learning how to spend your time the right way. Often, good leaders and employees are undermined by little things that limit their potential. Add them up and you've got productivity problems. What if you could better focus your workday and eliminate [...]
The post Spend Your Time the Right Way appeared first on Ken Okel.
Successful leaders understand the value of being able to predict the unexpected. In business, while you don't have a crystal ball, there are some common workplace scenarios you should expect could happen. Are you ready to respond to these challenges or do you want to leave your business vulnerable to unexpected change? Prepare now for [...]
The post Predict the Unexpected appeared first on Ken Okel.
If you can remember your good habits at work, then you'll likely regain a lost level of performance on the job. Have you ever had a good habit that you stopped doing because you got busy. There's nothing wrong with the habit and no reason why you shouldn't go back to it. Yet, some of [...]
The post Remember Your Good Habits at Work appeared first on Ken Okel.
As we toast episode 600, I want to share with you two powerful communication tips. One is from a newsroom, the other from an airport. Both can help you in your everyday work. Listen in to this excerpt from one of my keynote presentations, in this week's episode of The 2 Minute Takeaway Podcast. And [...]
The post Two Powerful Communication Tips appeared first on Ken Okel.
To produce new ideas in business, leaders must understand managing for innovation. You need to create a workplace culture where new kinds of thinking are rewarded. If you consistently shoot down every new idea that comes up, then you may struggle with long-term success. Where is the likely source of the next breakthrough? Find out [...]
The post Managing for Innovation appeared first on Ken Okel.
In a world where cameras are everywhere, you don't want to make this customer service mistake. It sees employees say or do things that should never been seen or heard by the public. For those who work with customers, this may require a mindset shift, as they may be sure no one is aware of [...]
The post Don’t Make this Customer Service Mistake appeared first on Ken Okel.
If coming back from time off is stressful, then you should consider four approaches to working on vacation. They see you think strategically about how you'll handle the pressures of your job, during your time away. These tips come from a survey I did of professionals, so you know these are tactics being used in [...]
The post Four Approaches to Working on Vacation appeared first on Ken Okel.
Some simple steps can help you unlock your performance at work. You may feel stuck or falling behind professionally, due to the things that you don't know or don't know as well as you should. And while you want to improve, you're not sure if it's a smart investment of time and money. Let's make [...]
The post Unlock Your Performance at Work appeared first on Ken Okel.
In a busy world, it's easy to feel overloaded with information at work. The problem is that all the info can become a massive and ongoing distraction, which hurts your productivity. As you may have heard, time is money and you need to invest yours wisely on the job. Learn some actionable tips to help [...]
The post Feel Overloaded with Information at Work? appeared first on Ken Okel.
Success in business depends on you not having any secret superpowers. It's important that customers and employees understand what you do best. Otherwise, they may think you're like everyone else. At first, this may seem like bragging. But bragging can be an important marketing, branding and retention tool. Rip off your disguise and embrace your [...]
The post No Secret Superpowers appeared first on Ken Okel.
In your career, you need to find time for self-improvement. There's likely some area where you need to get better. It might be with technology or your leadership skills. Not doing anything won't help you improve. So how do you find the time for this kind of self-improvement? Find out some actionable tips, in this [...]
The post Find Time for Self-Improvement appeared first on Ken Okel.
If you feel like your performance at work isn't as good as it once was, then you should take control of your workday. There's a good chance that ongoing distractions and even a few bad habits may be holding back your potential. While you don't have unlimited time to get things done, you can do more [...]
The post Take Control of Your Workday appeared first on Ken Okel.
While it may seems like an unusual form of motivation, it's important for employees to challenge themselves, in order to avoid workplace stagnation. Often, we look at challenges as negative situations but they may actually open the door to future growth and improvement. What should the members of your team do to stay challenged and [...]
The post Avoid Workplace Stagnation appeared first on Ken Okel.
Not every leader is a great communicator and they should know the things leaders shouldn't say. These are little comments that can confuse or turn off employees. At a time when you need performance to be high and turnover to be low, you need to make sure your communication is informative, inspiring, and respectful. Know [...]
The post Things Leaders Shouldn’t Say appeared first on Ken Okel.
If you run a business and are slipping into mediocrity, then you must raise falling standards. Retention and other staffing issues may have produced a relaxing of some of the things that made you successful. Before long, not many of them are being performed or not performed very well. While there has been a lot [...]
The post Raise Falling Standards appeared first on Ken Okel .
During a time when staffing may be a challenge in your business, you need to understand that onboarding is a retention superpower. You want to make sure that you hold onto your top talent and not let them become disillusioned with their jobs. The key is making sure your onboarding process gives new employees a [...]
The post Onboarding is a Retention Superpower appeared first on Ken Okel .
To improve your performance on the job, you need to make the most of your time. Simply working hard, may not be enough because not every minute of your day is going to have the same value. It's smart to take a strategic approach to your time, so you're able to focus on your most [...]
The post Make the Most of Your Time appeared first on Ken Okel .
You must protect your vacation to improve performance and retention at work. Otherwise, you may end up promoting burnout, as you and your employees never have a chance to recharge. Studies have found that working on vacation is common. How do you make sure employees can unplug on vacation and not keep getting pulled back [...]
The post Protect Your Vacation appeared first on Ken Okel .
Improving your workplace communication sometimes means saying more with less. Because your communication may be long-winded or confusing to employees. If they don't understand what you're saying, then how well can you expect them to perform on the job? Give yourself a leadership communication makeover and pick up a few tips from the world of [...]
The post Improving Your Workplace Communication appeared first on Ken Okel .
If you're feeling a little drowsy at work, then you may need some tips for more sleep. Recent surveys have found that poor sleep impacts workplace performance, for a growing number of people. Do you dream of performing at a high level, without having to drink several cups of coffee? Wake up to some strategic [...]
The post Tips For More Sleep appeared first on Ken Okel .
Many leaders would love to create more effective meetings but they don't know how. The sessions all start with good intentions but can end with people wondering if anything really happened. The lack of progress frustrates attendees. So let's talk about ways your meetings can become much better, when it comes identifying next steps. A [...]
The post Create More Effective Meetings appeared first on Ken Okel .
If you're not careful, your employees can hurt your productivity. This especially can happen when they bring you a problem. They way this is done can set you up for success or failure, regardless of the nature of the problem. You don't want to waste time or play catch up on a challenge no one [...]
The post Employees Can Hurt Your Productivity appeared first on Ken Okel .
Many leaders are trying to find some work-life balance options. They've in a world where demands of the job are intruding into their time off work. Can anything be done to restore harmony? Recently I surveyed professionals on some work-life balance options. Find out more about these choices and whether they might be a good [...]
The post Work-Life Balance Options appeared first on Ken Okel .
Do you know how to beat an unfair advantage? In business, this is something that gives your competition an edge over you. It may feel like there's no way you can overcome it. Sometimes, there's nothing you can do but often it's a matter of putting things into perspective. In this week's episode of The [...]
The post How to Beat an Unfair Advantage appeared first on Ken Okel .
As a leader, do you feel like you can master fast-moving change communication? This represents the kind of employee engagement when you need to give out important instructions, get help with a change, or make sure people buy into your plan. The more people can understand and implement your plan, the better your situation. What's [...]
The post Master Fast-Moving Change Communication appeared first on Ken Okel .
As businesses try to boost retention during the Great Resignation, smart leaders need to show appreciation to your employees. There are lots of ways to do this and some don't involve spending any money. All have the shared goal of making employees think of their positions in a different, more rewarding way. Get started with [...]
The post Show Appreciation to Your Employees appeared first on Ken Okel .
Leaders who can learn how to embrace feedback can raise their level of performance on the job. Otherwise, you may miss out on valuable information. And yet, we know that feedback can sting a little at first. How can you calmly receive and evaluate this information? Find out some actionable tips in this week's episode [...]
The post Learn How To Embrace Feedback appeared first on Ken Okel .
Successful leaders and employees understand how to give bad news. This is not a skill that's taught in school but one that's important to understand on the job. Otherwise, you may find yourself delaying the delivery of bad news or giving it with so many disclaimers that people may not understand the situation. Take control [...]
The post How to Give Bad News appeared first on Ken Okel .
If your organization experiences a lot of change, then you need to understand workplace skill fade. This happens when someone is asked to perform a task, they haven't done for a while, and their performance is poor. It may be a case of being out of practice or simply forgetting what to do. The business [...]
The post Understand Workplace Skill Fade appeared first on Ken Okel .
As your business grows, you may consider whether it makes sense to outsource work. An ever-expanding list of duties may overwhelm and distract your team. But when you outsource work, you take on another expense. How do you know when it's worth having someone else invest their time in your work? Find out some actionable [...]
The post Should You Outsource Work? appeared first on Ken Okel .
Effective leaders need to develop some Great Resignation hiring strategies. Even if you run the perfect organization, there's a good chance that you may need to fill some positions. Have your hiring practices become out of date or has working from home left some important things out of your onboarding process. Make sure you're showcasing [...]
The post Great Resignation Hiring Strategies appeared first on Ken Okel .
The three step improvement plan can help professionals raise their game on the job. Often, they have the skills to be successful but don't have the time to get everything done. What if some little adjustments could help boost their performance? My goal is to empower you with some simple, actionable, and powerful strategies. Let's [...]
The post The Three Step Improvement Plan appeared first on Ken Okel .
Successful leaders understand the importance of making smart bets at work. These are the daily decisions, large and small, that you need to make on a daily basis and they do involve some risks. Do you leave these moments to chance or do you have a system that can help you make the best decisions [...]
The post Making Smart Bets at Work appeared first on Ken Okel .
Leaders who want to get key points across or focus people on their goals should use this smart employee engagement strategy. It sees you use countdowns, as part of your employee communication. At a time when leaders are looking for new employee engagement and retention strategies, a countdown can provide both. Find out how to [...]
The post Smart Employee Engagement Strategy appeared first on Ken Okel .
Maybe you've been in that situation where you suddenly receive feedback you didn't expect. It may come from a supervisor or someone outside your job. While this can be useful advice, it can also represent an unwanted distraction. How do you handle this kind of feedback and how do you keep it from becoming something [...]
The post The Feedback You Didn’t Expect appeared first on Ken Okel .
Workplace common sense is something we all hope to enjoy on the job but don't always see. These courteous and productive actions are designed to help make your coworker's lives easier. And it's how you hope they will treat you. While none of these tasks are all that complicated, they can be forgotten during busy times [...]
The post Workplace Common Sense appeared first on Ken Okel .
As a leader, do you ever use excuses at work? It's understandable there may be parts of your job that you don't like or things that are out of your control. But are you starting to use excuses as a crutch, preventing you from being accountable and growing professionally? Find out five common excuses you [...]
The post Do You Ever Use Excuses at Work? appeared first on Ken Okel .
Whether it's selling to customers or engaging your employees, you want to make things easy for them. Think about those times when you ran into a policy or a procedure that seemed unnecessarily complicated. Now imagine if the same thing could be done in a much easier way. When you make things easy, you save [...]
The post Make Things Easy appeared first on Ken Okel .
While they can be annoying and inconvenient, leaders need to know how to solve an ongoing problem. Otherwise, you may allow a small issue to grow. These may be more like seasonal challenges, than daily problems, so it's easy to forget about them. To illustrate this kind of challenge, come with me and imagine we're [...]
The post How to Solve an Ongoing Problem appeared first on Ken Okel .
Leaders can improve employee productivity and performance by learning how to communicate importance and urgency. Often, people are led to believe that every task they're given is important. As a result, truly important things may be dropped, delayed, or performed in a hurry. An investment of a few minutes can clear up the confusion and [...]
The post Communicate Importance and Urgency appeared first on Ken Okel .
Exhausted leaders may need a comeback at work. You've been dealing with ongoing and new challenges for months. Over time, the stress can start to affect your productivity and performance. While there will always be challenges at work, you can change the way you respond to them. Learn some actionable strategies, designed to restore a [...]
The post Do You Need a Comeback at Work? appeared first on Ken Okel .
If you feel professionally stuck or falling behind the pack, then you should embrace the power of asking for help. In an ever-changing workplace, you can't be an expert on everything. How do you ask for help without weakening your authority? Find out what you can do and several other tips in this week's episode [...]
The post The Power of Asking for Help appeared first on Ken Okel .
You can boost performance inside and outside of your organization, if you learn how to use humor to help your business. Simple, little jokes can help shortcut various communication processes. Even if you don't think you're not very funny, the positive results from this kind of strategic communication are no laughing matter. Find out how [...]
The post How to Use Humor to Help Your Business appeared first on Ken Okel .
Those who are good at evaluating customer service requests are able to deliver a high level of service, even if the demands seem unusual. Sometimes the requests are more like a kind of code that can tell you important things about the customer. Let's help you grow and flex your problem solving muscles, in this [...]
The post Evaluating Customer Service Requests appeared first on Ken Okel .
The rock star productivity secret can save you time and money, as well as prevent a lot of frustration on the job. And even if you don't have great musical skills, the secret is accessible to all. I saw it in action during my TV news days. And while it may not seem like something [...]
The post The Rock Star Productivity Secret appeared first on Ken Okel .
Leaders who have to make smart decisions, during changing times, need to understand when a new situation is impossible or challenging. Often, perceived difficulty may keep you from stretching professionally and embracing new things. On the other hand, you don't want to waste time and money. How can you raise your comfort level in these [...]
The post Impossible or Challenging? appeared first on Ken Okel .
Properly managing workplace change can help save you time and money at work. During busy times, leaders may look to find the fastest solution to a problem, which can open the door to unexpected consequences. How can you think things through better, before you make your next big decision? Discover a simple and effective game [...]
The post Managing Workplace Change appeared first on Ken Okel .
Leaders should recognize improvement because businesses often grow due to employees, other than your top performers. These people, who could be described as good to average, often make up the bulk of your team. If you can encourage them a little and inspire them to improve, then they can have a major impact on your [...]
The post Leaders Should Recognize Improvement appeared first on Ken Okel .
No matter the time of year, you should think about creating some professional resolutions. These can serve an important role in your development, no matter your position. The changes probably won't happen, unless you start with a commitment to improvement. Ideally, as your experience grows in a job, you want to also enjoy a boost [...]
The post Need Professional Resolutions? appeared first on Ken Okel .
A popular phrase may become a limiting belief at work. It's all about finding the right balance between trying something new or not moving out of your comfort zone. But when someone or even you says, "Stay in your lane," is the outcome likely going to be failure? That could be the case in a [...]
The post Do You Have This Limiting Belief at Work? appeared first on Ken Okel .
While it's scary for leaders to imagine losing people, they should think about how to prepare for resignations. Some predictions expect a record number of employees to leave their jobs for greener pastures. It's all reportedly part of the fallout from the pandemic. How can leaders weather the storm of resignations and might there be [...]
The post How to Prepare for Resignations appeared first on Ken Okel .
Leaders who can get comfortable with accepting frustration at work will enjoy less stress and become more productive on the job. Sometimes there are things that you don't like but they are acceptably annoying. In other words, you can learn to live with them. How do you let go of the little things that are [...]
The post Accepting Frustration at Work appeared first on Ken Okel .
To celebrate a new podcast milestone, you get to enjoy a Ken Okel virtual keynote segment. It's a roughly 12 minute segment from a recent presentation. During the talk, you'll learn about resetting the way you think about change at work, setting priorities on the job, and the importance of clear instructions on the job. [...]
The post Ken Okel Virtual Keynote Segment appeared first on Ken Okel .
Concerned employers should consider if business culture can stop the Great Resignation. If you don't think so, then you may see a lot of people leaving your organization. A strong business culture can become the magnet that keeps current employees in place and attracts good candidates. How can you strengthen your business culture, especially during [...]
The post Can Business Culture Stop the Great Resignation? appeared first on Ken Okel .
Busy leaders may want to think twice before giving employees more work. There's a good chance that adding, one more thing, could lead to productivity problems and possibly burnout. What if there was a way to increase employee workloads in a more strategic fashion and keep them engaged? Find out how keep performance and office [...]
The post Giving Employees More Work appeared first on Ken Okel .
While many leaders take responsibility for their performance on the job, they should also bring accountability to work-life balance. Your time spent away from the job could be the deciding factor, when it comes to future professional success. You can't leave work-life balance to chance. Instead, take control of your time, off the job, with [...]
The post Bring Accountability to Work-Life Balance appeared first on Ken Okel .
If you get hung up on perfection at work, then you should consider the imperfect solution. This may get you the results you want with a high level of effectiveness and much less stress. For leaders, your time is valuable and you don't want to overspend it in areas, where it's not game-changing. Learn to [...]
The post Consider the Imperfect Solution appeared first on Ken Okel .
Whether you're the big boss or a valued supervisor, it's important to understand leading through challenges. Difficult times often require critical thinking and measured responses. This may not be the time to trust your gut and hope things turn out well. Improve your decisions, when they matters the most, in this week's episode of The [...]
The post Leading Through Challenges appeared first on Ken Okel .
The scary part of business horror stories is that they happen more than you think. And sometimes, you may be the monster. Why are these stories important and how can they have a real world impact on things like retention? Find out the good, the bad, and the spooky in this week's episode of The [...]
The post The Scary Part of Business Horror Stories appeared first on Ken Okel .
If your job depends on your ability to communicate effectively, then you'll appreciate this important public speaking tip. It's about three words that can undermine your presentations. Most people don't even realize they're using them. Besides learning what not to do, you'll also pick up some actionable strategies, designed to improve your public speaking, in [...]
The post Important Public Speaking Tip appeared first on Ken Okel .
If people are not following your new rules or big business plans, then you need to consider why employees tune you out. There's a good chance they see your important communication as being like annoying email marketing and have mentally hit the unsubscribe button. Are you doing things that undermine your message and your goals? [...]
The post Why Employees Tune You Out appeared first on Ken Okel .
As your business navigates its way through challenging times, you may want to ask yourself, "Did you give up too soon?" In this case, we're talking about processes and best practices you no longer perform. You just didn't have time for them. You may soon discover these things were more important than you thought and [...]
The post Did You Give Up Too Soon? appeared first on Ken Okel .
From the outside, when you look at a productive business, you know someone knows how to create workplace culture. This one of those qualities you can sense immediately when you step into a business. You'll also know when it's not there. What should leaders know about workplace culture and how can you grow it in [...]
The post How to Create Workplace Culture appeared first on Ken Okel .
Have you ever been tempted to take a risk at work but also feel very nervous about what could go wrong? Risks are sometimes necessary for growth and progress. But as gamblers know, success is not guaranteed. If you have a hunch that it may be time to make some big changes, then you'll appreciate [...]
The post Should I Take a Risk at Work? appeared first on Ken Okel .
Smart leaders ask, "Will an unexpected absence hurt your business?" because they know staffing continuity is important. You don't want your productivity to depend on one person and then see that person out of the office for a long period of time. What if you could protect your business from the one person knows how [...]
The post Will an Unexpected Absence Hurt Your Business appeared first on Ken Okel .
If you feel like you're stuck in endless dull sessions, then you should check out these easy ways to improve your meetings. Meetings are an important part of the business world but they can easily become unproductive and unfocused. You need to get work done and not wonder why you're sitting with your coworkers, losing [...]
The post Easy Ways to Improve Your Meetings appeared first on Ken Okel .
If information is power, then you should ask better questions on the job. You don't have to act like a game show host but rather a thoughtful detective looking for clues. Often there are emerging problems that are below the surface and won't be mentioned by people until they become really big. Learn how to [...]
The post Why You Should Ask Better Questions on the Job appeared first on Ken Okel .
During times of change it's important for leaders to think about increasing employee buy-in. This is critical if you have a new project or procedure that won't succeed without employee support. Simply telling people to do something new may not be enough. And there's a chance your behavior might undermine the urgency of the request. [...]
The post Increasing Employee Buy-In appeared first on Ken Okel .
Whether things are going well or you're facing some big challenges, leaders need to ask this question. It's a simple question but one that can produce some extremely powerful answers. Not asking this question could be the root cause of emerging problems. Want to find out what the question is and how you should be [...]
The post Leaders Need to Ask This Question appeared first on Ken Okel .
Some easy tips to get more sleep can help you raise your level of performance at work. Have you ever felt you were off your game on the job because you were still mentally in bed? A lack of sleep is a growing problem for professionals in America. The good news is you can make [...]
The post Easy Tips to Get More Sleep appeared first on Ken Okel .
While it's understandable that some are nervous about going back into the physical workplace, you can help smooth out the transition by smartly returning to the office. You want employees to be focused on their work and not wishing they were still working from home. Some little adjustments can make a big difference and the [...]
The post Smartly Returning to the Office appeared first on Ken Okel .
When challenges appear at work, you may need to ask yourself if you can lead in a crisis. You need a different set of skills during tough times, when new ideas and fast action are required. Can you make the transition or will your employees think you're hiding in your office, as problems continue to [...]
The post Can You Lead in a Crisis? appeared first on Ken Okel .
As a leader, if you feel like you need to do everything, then you need to stop the micromanagement. I'm guessing you don't have time for your wish lists of important tasks because you're constantly looking over people's shoulders. There's a fine line between wanting things to be done correctly and becoming an unproductive micromanager. [...]
The post Stop the Micromanagement appeared first on Ken Okel .
To improve your performance at work, you need to make sure you are focused on what you need to do and block out time consuming distractions. A good way to imagine this mindset is to think of it as a success bubble. Want to protect yourself from an increasingly chaotic outside world? Empower yourself with [...]
The post Improve Your Performance at Work appeared first on Ken Okel .
In a world full of distractions, you'll gain a professional edge by focusing on the right things. Often this means not spending time on certain activities or allowing problems to remain unsolved. I call this scenario, Watering Your Weeds. Find out what you can do to reclaim your productive time, in this week's episode of [...]
The post Focusing on the Right Things appeared first on Ken Okel .
After working from home, are your employees ready to go back to the office? The transition can be made smoother with some careful planning. You may want to take the opportunity to reinvent the workplace. Some little changes could make a big difference for your team. Find out a few actionable suggestions in this week's [...]
The post Ready to Go Back to the Office? appeared first on Ken Okel .
Great businesses can be undermined by leadership communication mistakes. These are mostly unforced errors that can happen when people are working hard, during busy times. These mistakes can cast a shadow over your organization and limit its future and the bottom line. Strengthen your communication skills in this week's episode of The 2 Minute Takeaway [...]
The post Leadership Communication Mistakes appeared first on Ken Okel .
It can take a different skill set to lead during challenging times at work. You'll likely face a lot of big decisions that you need to make quickly. The stakes are high and if you guess wrong, then you'll be in trouble. So how do you perform at a high level during these days? Find [...]
The post How to Lead During Challenging Times appeared first on Ken Okel .
Over time, leaders need to ask whether their best practices have become ineffective. There are signs, in that your business may not be as efficient as in the past or your results are no longer as robust. At this point, the old way of doing things is hurting organizational performance. Learn if it's time to [...]
The post Have Your Best Practices Become Ineffective? appeared first on Ken Okel .
At work, there are going to be days when things go wrong but can you learn from your mistakes? This can open the door to professional growth and probably less stress on the job. But in order to start the process, you must have the courage to change as you hear these actionable tips. To [...]
The post How to Learn from Your Mistakes appeared first on Ken Okel .
If you hired a bad employee, then you need to be careful how you manage your team in the future. Very often, you've had to fire an under performing person, which is a painful experience. It's tempting to overreact to the situation and treat it like a bad romantic breakup, which results in a lot [...]
The post So You Hired a Bad Employee appeared first on Ken Okel .
While you may not enjoy receiving it, it's smart to learn how to review negative feedback. This can help you make adjustments that can boost your career. Everyone has room for improvement. It's also important to be able to put the negative feedback into perspective, as some comments may not be worth worrying about. Get [...]
The post How to Review Negative Feedback appeared first on Ken Okel .
To reach a successful outcome on your next collaboration, you'll want to consider these timeline tips for project managers. Otherwise, little issues may sabotage the outcome. Working with a group can produce problems, so why not invest the time at the beginning of a project, so there will be clarity and focus throughout the endeavor. [...]
The post Timeline Tips for Project Managers appeared first on Ken Okel .
To get the most out of your team, you need to understand that knowledge snobs hurt workplace culture. Knowledge snobs are people who withhold or control the flow of information in your organization. Usually, it's done in a very unfair way. This hurts productivity and employee engagement, while raising stress levels. Find out how to [...]
The post Knowledge Snobs Hurt Workplace Culture appeared first on Ken Okel .
In the rush of trying to get everything done, it's easy to forget why leaders need to take a break. These aren't long vacations but rather strategic timeouts that allow you to mentally regroup. Don't be afraid to invest a few minutes that will allow you to later perform at a higher level. Find out [...]
The post Why Leaders Need to Take a Break appeared first on Ken Okel .
In an increasingly work from home world, you'll value these tips to avoid digital overload. This happens when otherwise good online tools start to dominate your workday and hurt your productivity. Studies have found it's a growing problem. Let's find the right balance of technology and performance in this week's episode of The 2 Minute [...]
The post Tips to Avoid Digital Overload appeared first on Ken Okel .
If you're experiencing remote work frustration, then you might want to improve online business meetings. These are the sessions you used to hold in-person with your colleagues. Now, you're having to stare at a screen, as you make big decisions and may feel like something is missing from the process. Learn how to improve these [...]
The post Improve Online Business Meetings appeared first on Ken Okel .
While they may not seem very important, smart leaders know the value of fixing little problems at work. These are the lingering issues that you always mean to get around to solving. Why leave it to chance, when you'll get around to it, and instead follow a process that fixes these issues and may even [...]
The post Fixing Little Problems at Work appeared first on Ken Okel .
Self-improvement at work doesn't have to mean big changes. Sometimes, little corrections to your normal routines can yield increased productivity. It's about seeing things through a fresh perspective. Learn how you can start on a new you, at work, in this week's episode of The 2 Minute Takeaway Podcast. About Ken Okel As a Motivational [...]
The post Self-Improvement at Work appeared first on Ken Okel .
During times of change or unexpected challenges, clear instructions matter at work. When employees know what to do or customers know what to expect, you eliminate a lot of barriers to success. How can you navigate the traps that can important communication process? Pick up some actionable strategies in this special episode of The 2 [...]
The post Clear Instructions Matter at Work appeared first on Ken Okel .
As a business faces new challenges, it's important to understand what to change at work. These adjustments could see you focus more on current goals or shift to new priorities. Knowing what to change and what to embrace is not easy and it can lead to decision paralysis. Learn a simple exercise that can get [...]
The post What to Change at Work appeared first on Ken Okel .
One of the best ways to improve your performance on the job is to understand some of your common leadership mistakes. These are decisions you make, often without thinking them through, that can lead to problems down the road. Do you want to waste time on damage control and hurt feelings or do you want [...]
The post Your Common Leadership Mistakes appeared first on Ken Okel .
Challenging times may make you wonder if it is time to change your business. You realize the old way of doing things no longer gets you the results you want. The good news is that little adjustments may make your life and your bottom line much better. They do require a commitment. Unlock your potential [...]
The post Is It Time to Change Your Business? appeared first on Ken Okel .
During times of change, it's not unusual to start feeling innovation fatigue. Often, you can create something new in your business and then you're done for a while. But the coronavirus has changed the game and we must continue to come up with new ways to do things. This ongoing level of disruption can produce [...]
The post Feeling Innovation Fatigue? appeared first on Ken Okel .
Smart leaders understand the importance of embracing failure at work. This is not about celebrating poor achievements but rather figuring out what went wrong and how to make sure it doesn't happen again. Sometimes this important step never happens due to ego. Let go of your fear of failure and grab a better tomorrow with [...]
The post Embracing Failure at Work appeared first on Ken Okel .
While another department in your organization may feel like a foreign land, it's important to strengthen coworker collaboration. You'll get better ideas, make fewer mistakes, and improve team culture. But first, you need to make sure you're not making some common mistakes in this process. Empower your organization, with these steps, in this week's episode [...]
The post How to Strengthen Coworker Collaboration appeared first on Ken Okel .
If you can unlock your stages of learning, then you can open the door to a higher performance as a leader. This process sees you evaluate your current skills and make smart decisions. In some cases, you'll realize you need to update your knowledge, while in others, you'll understand why you shouldn't spend time becoming [...]
The post Unlock Your Stages of Learning appeared first on Ken Okel .
If you can learn to ask better questions at work, you'll save time and improve your performance on the job. Don't be the leader who is limited by missing information or is plagued by mistakes. There's an art to asking the right questions and in this episode of The 2 Minute Takeaway Podcast, you'll learn [...]
The post Learn How to Ask Better Questions at Work appeared first on Ken Okel .
Every once in a while, it's smart to wonder if your work skills are out of date. In business, things can change and a past advantage or skill set may no longer give you a competitive edge. Is it time to learn something new or forget something old? Find out in this week's episode of [...]
The post Are Your Work Skills Out of Date? appeared first on Ken Okel .
For episode 500, it's all about your questions answered. As we sometimes do for landmark episodes, we'll throw out the format and focus on the things we're asked the most about this podcast. No celebration of episode 500 of in this week's The 2 Minute Takeaway Podcast. would be complete without saying a big, "Thank [...]
The post Your Questions Answered in a Special Episode appeared first on Ken Okel .
Don't delay painful decisions because what's bad in your business now, likely won't get any better. But it can be tempting to hold off on making a tough call because it could make you feel uncomfortable. As a result, you're living with a problem you'd rather ignore than fix. Why should you act now and [...]
The post Don’t Delay Painful Decisions appeared first on Ken Okel .
While your school days may be over, are you ready to be tested at work? A rapidly changing world and workplace may put new demands on you and your team. Will you react well to these challenges or will you feel like a student who is unprepared for a pop quiz? Find out, as we [...]
The post Ready to be Tested at Work? appeared first on Ken Okel .
During challenging times, it's important to be leading with organizational agility. You want you and your team to be able to react quickly to the unexpected and not find yourself diminished by endless distractions or bad habits you've picked up along the way. Organizational agility is an ongoing process but one that can produce real [...]
The post Leading with Organizational Agility appeared first on Ken Okel .
With all the recent workplace disruption, has COVID-19 made you a micromanager at work? You didn't mean to become one but has your routine changed so much that you're struggling to find a greater sense of control over your employees? During a time when you need to step up, taking things one step too far [...]
The post Has COVID-19 Made You a Micromanager at Work? appeared first on Ken Okel .
Leaders need to make sure they get virtual employees ready for holiday vacations, in order to maintain organizational productivity. You want your employees to enjoy time off, while also making sure important tasks are still performed. You may have mastered this process in the past but may be stumped about it at a time when [...]
The post Get Virtual Employees Ready for Holiday Vacations appeared first on Ken Okel .
During a challenging year, it's smart to have some ideas for employee holiday gifts. This isn't about a budget busting trinket but rather recognizing effort and adaptability during extraordinary times. What are some good ways to say, "Thank you," during a time of virtual meetings and social distancing? Find out some actionable tips in this [...]
The post Ideas for Employee Holiday Gifts appeared first on Ken Okel .
Smart leaders need availability because being good, every once in a while, is no longer good enough. In today's ever-changing world, you need to be ready to respond to unexpected challenges at your highest level of ability. What are some of the elements of availability and how can you add these habits to your daily [...]
The post Smart Leaders Need Availability appeared first on Ken Okel .
Stress will always exist at work but how are you at working under pressure? These are the moments that require clear thinking and fast decisions. While some are better than others at working under this kind of pressure, you can learn how to improve your response. Raise your game with several tips, in this week's [...]
The post Working Under Pressure appeared first on Ken Okel .