August 7, 2019

Effective Managers Focus On Outcomes More Than Process

Early in my career, I took a call from the top executive in my business. This was an unusual phone call, as he was several rungs up in the corporate hierarchy. After some...

July 31, 2019

Business Lessons From Michelangelo’s David

Pictures don’t do it justice. A vein is running along the young hero’s neck. The strap of the sling is hidden along David’s back, out of view of the warrior...

July 23, 2019

Are You A Manager People Want To Work For?

I nearly accepted an executive role with a big company in Chicago several years ago. I passed through the first round of interviews and enjoyed the time I spent with everyone,...

by Ian Mathews

Leadership

Management

July 16, 2019

A Step-By-Step Guide To Firing Someone With Dignity

We never forget our first. Of course, I’m talking about the first person that we have to fire as a manager. My first experience was an incredibly nice sales rep who was...

July 3, 2019

Hey Managers, Preach Less And Lead More

I’m listening to my team and growing increasingly irritated. One by one, they list off the reasons we can’t do better. I was still new to my sales manager role, only six...

by Ian Mathews

Careers

Leadership

June 5, 2019

Managers Should Focus On The Goal And Not “How” Their Team Should Achieve It

I am crazy about Dan Carlin’s podcast, “Hardcore History.” I am not a history buff and read minimal military history before finding Carlin’s unique show. From the...

by Ian Mathews

Leadership

March 11, 2019

How To Spot A Bad Manager Before Accepting A Job Offer

I nearly accepted an executive role with a big company in Chicago several years ago. I passed through the first round of interviews and enjoyed the time I spent with everyone,...

March 11, 2019

How To Manage Your Former Peers

Like most new managers, my peers found out about my promotion from an email announcement. I was 25 years old and had no idea what I was doing. Once that email was sent, twelve...

by Ian Mathews

Hiring

Leadership

March 11, 2019

If you want to impress a new boss, impress your new peers first

“Who are the best performers in the company?” I hosted a new hire orientation for years as an executive with a Fortune 500 company. This question came from a college graduate...

by Ian Mathews

Hiring

March 11, 2019

I learned the most important indicator of success with one of my first hires (it wasn’t grades)

“Ian, we need you to lead our intern program this summer.” “Do we have an intern program?” “Not yet. You’ll figure it out.” “Got it.” I was pumped. I was 24 years old and I...

by Ian Mathews

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