Our thought leadership in blogs and podcasts

Technology and Emotions- Are Text Message Apologies Acceptable?

Are text messages appropriate for apologies? What managers can learn from the Jeff Fisher/Vince Young dust up. It's not as simple as you might think.
The Cranky Middle Manager Show #262 Self Confidence for Managers Tony Richards

You can’t inspire confidence in your team if you lack confidence in yourself. But we all have moments of doubt. Today Australian author Tony Richards will talk to us about self confidence,and how critical it is for managers. We’ll also talk about St Benedict, Buckminster Fuller and my new website so a lot going on in today’s show.
Real Leaders Use Social Media to Shut Up and Listen

social media makes it easy for leaders to broadcast your message, but according to leadership guru Jim Kouzes, it's real power lies in helping leaders shut up and listen.
Performance Reviews Stink in Person- Remotely They're Worse

Performance reviews are tough enough, but giving honest feedback on remote employees can be even tougher. Some tips for using technology to make the job stink less for all concerned.
The Cranky Middle Manager Show #261 The Truth About Leadership Jim Kouzes

Brush aside all the smoke and jargon, what is leadership? Jim Kouzes has been studying this topic for years and he’s here to talk to Wayne Turmel about his new book, “The Truth About Leadership- The No-fads Heart of the Matter Facts You Need to Know”. We also discuss Robin Hood and Aldous Huxley. That’s a full day at work, gang.
Mastering Remote Communication Is Critical For Project Managers!

Project managers who work in the same location their teams do are rarer than pandas. Here's why communication skills are maybe more important than ever.
Web Presenting is Exactly the Same as Regular Presenting--Except When It's Not

Presenting online causes stress for a lot of people. They claim it's completely different from presenting live in front of people. Is it really? You'd be surprised how much they have in common.
Is the Corporate Culture Working--Or an Obstacle to Success?

Too often people throw up their hands and say that's "how we do things here." How to work around a corporate culture that doesn't work.
Want to Feel Old in a Hurry? Try Managing Millennials

If you want to feel old in a hurry, try managing someone young enough to be your kid. We talk to a 25 year old CEO to get his take on it. Hint: You're getting old
The Cranky Middle Manager Show #260 Management Isn’t What You Thought Henry Mintzberg

Henry Mintzberg is one of the most important names in the leadership business today. Still, he took time to talk to us about his new book, “Management: It’s Not What You Think”. If it’s not what we think, what the heck is it? We talk some heresy and have some fun. Also an Aztec emperor and a quote to inspire the unexpected.
Telecommuting Can Keep Employees Happy- And Cost You Customers

A Denver judge is in trouble for letting her staff work from home. Do your policies make it hard for customers to work with you? Here are some questions to ask before letting people work remotely.
Avoid Rookie Mistakes to Look Like a Webmeeting Pro

Here are some tips on how to avoid rookie mistakes that can erase any advantage you get from doing webmeetings. Learn well, grasshopper.
How Collaboration Tools Should Work: A Case Study

If you're tired of all the buzzwords about collaboration tools,here's how one business owner uses one particular set of tools to, you know, collaborate.
Train Them on What They Do Everyday, Not Something New

What are your people doing every day that they could be doing better. Odds are that's what they want training in, not the newest initiative. A case study on web presentation skills.
The Cranky Middle Manager Show #259 The Skills and Employment Crisis Ed Gordon

If you’ve seen the movie “Waiting for Superman”, you’ve heard of this week’s guest. Ed Gordon talks to Wayne Turmel about the skills gap in US Ed
The Cranky Middle Manager Show #259 The Skills and Employment Crisis Ed Gordon

If you’ve seen the movie “Waiting for Superman”, you’ve heard of this week’s guest. Ed Gordon talks to Wayne Turmel about the skills gap in US Ed
Why Should I Tweet and Yammer With My Team?

With all the tweeting and yammering going on, is anyone really working or is it all so much noise? How social media can help your team come together.