Beyond knowledge management to better management
We tell our children that work is serious business. And that's right -- to a certain extent. However, research is reminding us that it takes more than just grim determination and single-minded focus for success at work (and in life). Marion Chapsal recently reiterated this truth in her post, Play, laughter and creativity in coaching. ... Continue Reading →
Today we'll hear over and over again about the "importance of the first 100 days." And, we'll hear a range of judgments pronounced on the performance of the Obama administration. Given the usual hype-to-bust news cycle, most of it can be ignored -- and I certainly won't add to it. However, it is worth noting... Continue Reading →
The Obama transition team recently announced the nomination of the first Chief Performance Officer for the United States. Nancy Killefer, a senior management consultant at McKinsey & Company, is to be given responsibility for eliminating unnecessary government programs and streamlining bureaucracy. She will be an official watchdog charged with rooting out and eradicating waste. One... Continue Reading →
I met Lorenzo Lotto at the Villa Borghese recently. As I heard his sad tale, I found myself thinking about contemporaries of mine who are headed down his path. In case you don't remember Mr. Lotto, let me give you a thumbnail sketch of his story. Born in Renaissance Venice, he became known in some... Continue Reading →
As we face the onslaught of Gen Y/Millennials in the workplace, it's wise to remember that these new employees present some special management challenges by virtue of the way they have been educated. Tom Wagner has taken a look at how children are raised and educated in the United States and his conclusions are troubling.... Continue Reading →
At some point, most of us realize that fighting the tide is an exercise in futility. The wise among us look for ways to work with and harness the tide. In that spirit, I offer this post on why law firm knowledge management should welcome the Millennials. However, this is NOT about the technological improvements... Continue Reading →
For those of my readers who were secretly hoping that I'd lose interest over the weekend in my current fascination with popular music and management, I'm sorry to disappoint you. I was getting ready to stop and then I discovered that Billy Joel is not only a philosopher, but a pragmatic one. His song, Just... Continue Reading →
I really didn't intend to write a series on management skills and popular songs but, after yesterday's reference to "Love the One You're With" by Crosby, Stills & Nash, here we are today with staffing issues again and Paul Simon's classic "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover."* The impetus for the journey from one song... Continue Reading →
Two stories this week from senior managers I know made me think again about the responsibilities of managers with respect to their staff. In the first case, the manager was a senior executive in a financial firm. He said he was struggling with what to do with certain members of his staff who "would never... Continue Reading →
Above and Beyond KM 