Kurt Blazek

Although some leaders might assume that their ascension to a leadership role indicates the company’s valuation of their strengths, they would do well to be ready to identify weaknesses so they can continue to learn and grow even more. Certainly, a leader’s strengths are important and a likely base for reasons behind their being promoted. However, many times (for example, in sales organizations), what’s required for success in the leadership role is much different from—or even completely opposite of—what their previous role was. To become skilled at the requirements for the new role (and beyond), good leaders need to be adept at self-examination to understand what their weaknesses are and where they need to expand for greater success.

Self-examination and self-awareness can be uncomfortable. It can be tough to acknowledge faults. In fact, it might seem counter-intuitive. After all, confessing weaknesses could seem like putting a nail in a “you’re not good enough” coffin. But in reality, even if you don’t admit to a fault, other people can surely see it. So you might as well give yourself the best opportunity for improving by taking a close look the areas where you need to become better.

Sure, the stereotypes say that, as a generation, millennials were overly coddled by their helicopter parents, that they are as attached like robots to their technology, that they are lazy, that they are entitled, and that they can’t seem to focus on one thing at a time. But face it: It won’t be long before millennials outnumber any other single generation in your workforce, which means that it won’t be very long before they are running your company. Have you been prepping them for leadership? It’s not too late to start working with your high-potential millennials to get them ready for the years to come; here are some thought-starters for how to proceed.

1. Feedback. So maybe the generation wasconstantly overseen by their parents. The good news; that prepared them for continual feedback, so these employees will welcome yours. In fact, they expect face time with supervisors and managers, and if they don’t get it, they might be inclined to leave—or will be simply disinclined to perform. They’ll be even more motivated by a chance to interact with the C-suite—giving your high-potential millennials entree to a high-level project or two would open that door and allow that leadership tier a chance to gauge their performance.

A workplace crisis can occur at any time—and it can be anything, such as destructive weather, an economic failure, or a physical attack on an employee or the office itself. The situation can be swift and fleeting or it can last for days, weeks or months. Either way, it can be devastating. How well your business and employees recover from it depends largely on how well you can lead through it.

If you find yourself in a crisis situation, you must first remember to act—don’t freeze. It’s imperative that you deal with what’s in front of you, your business, and your employees. Failure to act can worsen and/or lengthen the situation at hand.

As you move forward, look for any quick steps that can help you and your office get firmer footing in the situation. If appropriate, be sure to communicate those steps to your employees, which can help rally the troops and point your people in the right direction.

It seems like society is canted toward extroverts—the high-energy, fast-pace-loving people who are adept at working a room, making connections, being social. Based on their comfort with being around other people and their ability to slide easily into teamwork situations, extroverts would seem to be shoo-ins for the majority of leadership positions. And, according to studies noted by Jennifer Kahnweiler in her book, The Introverted Leader: Building on Your Quiet Strength, it’s true—extroverts are in the majority of leadership roles. But not by as much as you might think. Interestingly, about 40% of leadership roles are filled by introverts.

Many successful introvert leaders are household names. Bill Gates, Eleanor Roosevelt, Jeff Bezos, Rosa Parks, Warren Buffett, Al Gore. And the list goes on. But what makes these people so good at leading, especially when it would seem that the introvert is too reclusive? And what can extrovert leaders learn from their approach?

To start, introverts are highly skilled at listening. They tend not to monopolize social settings and instead place value on what the other party brings to the conversation; they are more receptive to ideas that aren’t their own and then more willing to employ them.

Many Americans dream of working less, imagining how they might use the extra hours outside of the workplace—perhaps envisioning spending more time with family, taking care of more chores around the home, or devoting time to a new hobby, sport or even a new path in higher education. Lately, some pretty powerful people are thinking the same—and have some good arguments for why American businesses should move in that direction.

In general, the accepted 40-hour workweek has been set since 1938, when then-president Franklin D. Roosevelt signed into place the Fair Labor Standards Act. In the decades since, some have predicted that technology would overrun our need to work long hours. Recently, some have compared our workweek standards to those of other countries and have wondered what the impact of reducing American working hours would be.

Embattled NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is learning about it—the fallout that comes from losing trust. In his case, he’s losing it because of missteps, unclear responses to issues, and potential lies. But he’s not just facing the fallout from the football organization solely, he’s facing it from the true people who pay him: NFL fans.

Trust is the cornerstone of all good relationships, both inside and outside of the office. Notwithstanding, it can be human nature to make mistakes—inadvertently or even unknowingly at times. At which point begins the task of rebuilding employees’ confidence in worthiness and ability. It can be a difficult and long journey, but the good news is that it’s not impossible. If you find yourself needing to re-create a platform of trust with your employees, here are some things to keep in mind.