When Autonomy Becomes Neglect: Rethinking How We Lead
Autonomy is often praised, but without context it turns into neglect. Learn why freedom at work can backfire and how leaders can strike the right balance.
Why Can’t Onboarding Feel More Like Check-In at a Resort?
Warning: This might make you rethink everything you’re doing in those first 90 days. Picture this: You’ve just arrived at a luxury resort for vacation. You’re excited but slightly anxious about navigating this new environment. What would you want from
Reel in Connection
Why Friendship Retreats Are Worth the Time—And How Rob’s Mexico Retreat was a Hit. 🎣🍻☀️ In today’s fast-paced world, keeping close friendships strong can be tough. That’s why friendship retreats are becoming more than just a getaway—they’re a powerful way to
Is Facilitation the Leadership Skill We’ve Been Overlooking?
In my upcoming podcast episode with host Myriam Hadnes, of the Workshops Work podcast (ranked in the top 5% of podcasts globally), we unpack a leadership approach that’s often misunderstood, overlooked, or seen as secondary: facilitation. But what if facilitation
Are You Leading, or Cheer-leading?
Warning: This one might sting! Let’s pretend we’re sitting down for a feedback conversation. You’ve got your coffee. I’ve got mine. I look across the table and say something that might not sit well at first, but I need you
So What’s the Problem with Delegation?
Delegation has long been considered a hallmark of effective leadership. It’s a skill taught early, often framed as the antidote to micromanagement, a strategy to lighten a leader’s load and ensure that the right people are handling the right tasks.
7 Years of Ripples of Impact
Black River PM Anniversary! In 2017, we started Black River Performance Management, believing that “work should fuel the human spirit, not drain it.” We feel fortunate to have reached this point. However, before we share more, let’s consider some data
Do Athletes Really “Just Do It” Better? Unpacking the Research
Article: Lion, Burch, & Bolinger. (2024). Athletic Identity and Discretionary Effort at Work. Organization Management Journal, 21(3). In June, colleagues from Idaho State University and I published a paper that studied former athletes in the workplace. The study was created
It’s Great to Have Values, but Do You Have the Skills?
Work hard, dedication, accountability, and respect are common answers to the question we ask at our workshops – what professional values do you possess? The irony is that in many instances, despite possessing similar values, people struggle with a) being
Give Me Growers, Not Show-ers
Please let me explain… Today, I was asked, “How do we return to pre-COVID culture and practices?” My quick answer was, “We don’t, and we won’t…it is all slightly different now.” However, that doesn’t mean the magic (in reference to
Is it a Retreat or a Work Session?
This past week, Black River had the opportunity to spend some time in Alaska working with two different clients. Angie led a multi-day board of directors retreat for one client at an off-site location. The retreat included team building, capacity
Dylan’s Dis-ease – How Our Energy Affects Others
It is incredible how a leader’s mere presence can impact team dynamics. During my travels these past few months, I visited several great places. The caliber of the facilities was top-notch, matching the impeccable service. However, there was one exception.
Growth Requires Nourishment – Where Are You Getting Yours?
The following is an excerpt of the message I sent to my graduate Motivation class this week; I received positive feedback and a request to share it with others. So here you go! In my Contemporary Theories of Motivation course,
Big “G” or Little “g” Grievance? The Difference Matters
A few times a year I get contacted specifically for conflict resolution/mediation services because a group reports that they have no other options but to bring in an outside party to mediate a situation. The following is my typical response
Feedback is Like Most Other Gifts; We Appreciate it More When it is Something We Want
As I wrap up my holiday blog season on the gift of feedback, I want to draw attention to a significant factor as it relates to our ability to accept feedback. However, prior to doing that, think back to a
Did that Feedback Sting? You Have 24 Hours (to get over it 😉
There is no doubt that some types of feedback can really rattle us. It can cut to the core, even though we know it was necessary. The following is a support solution Angie and I established for our household. Whether
Would You Rather Climb a Mountain or Provide Someone Feedback?
If climbing a mountain is more desirable than providing a person with difficult feedback, you are not alone. Feedback is one of the most valuable culture and behavior-supporting actions leaders, and co-workers can provide to one another. However, providing meaningful
Feedback = Love, Accountability = Respect
Providing clear and specific feedback is one of the most difficult tasks an employee encounters. Here we explore how to begin to minimize the stress and increase the impact of these difficult conversations.
The Significance of the Position Description Build
Have you ever wondered why you might not be able to find the ideal candidates for your postings? Or, perhaps more accurately, you think you found the ideal candidate but over time they fizzle out? Setting aside the present churn
Our Future of Work
The big question surrounding the present and future world of work is “what should we expect? If we consider a few, rather dismal current truths about life today, we might not be very optimistic for the future of work 10,
Annual Reviews, an Annual Blunder?
A consultant I’ve known for a number of years reached out to me recently for my input on a new Performance Appraisal (PA) form he was creating for his clients. We did the back-and-forth feedback exchange and wrapped it up
Need a Framework to Better Understand Human Flourishing? Take CAR for a Spin!
One of the things I have found with myself as I take this interesting journey through life is that accurately understanding why I do what I do helps me make sense of both the good and poor decisions I make,
Do You See What I See?
When is the last time you gave a person directions? How was that experience? Did they clearly understand your instructions? What about a person not familiar with the area, the landscape, or the organization, for that matter? Directions and instructions
Do Athletic Experiences Lead to Desirable Workplace Motivation?
The following is an excerpt from a larger piece, by myself, published by Human Resource Research. What do you think? As a former college athlete, I have found myself in a unique position. For many years, in my positions as
Why the Last Thing We Need to be Doing is Watching the Debates, or Discussing Who Won
There’s no wonder why the social-web is blowing up around the debate last night. It was completely unacceptable from every viewpoint-there was no humility, no love, and humanism was hardly a priority. However, it is clear that the debate didn’t
