Dear Madeleine, I recently joined a marketing team for a not-quite-startup in the technology space. It has been going well. My boss recently asked me if I would take over writing a weekly blog for our website. I didn’t say “no” right out of the gate—I asked if I could look at what has been…
Dear Madeleine, I was recently promoted and I am drowning. I am still supporting the person who took my former job while trying to get my head around my new job. My new team is huge, and I didn’t know any of them until I stepped into this job. I couldn’t get through my email…
Dear Madeleine, I missed a back to school event for my kids last night. My wife called to ask where I was, and I had completely forgotten that I was supposed to be there. I saw it on my calendar and then it was gone from my mind. My wife is really mad because I…
Dear Madeleine, A couple of months ago I received a promotion I was really hoping for. Now I have fifteen direct reports where I used to have seven. Everything I am reading says I should be doing regular one-on-one meetings with each person, but my own workload has doubled and I have no idea how…
Dear Madeleine, I am a new manager of a large team in retail. The work is fast and furious and involves constant running around and heavy customer service. I have no complaints except one. How do you do your life when you work like a fiend with no coming up for air during regular working…
Dear Madeleine, I am a manager of a large team. I like my work, the mission of the company is meaningful, and we make a difference in the world. I have a reputation for being a good manager and getting things done on time and under budget. My boss, who is fairly new—and, frankly, in…
“Procrastination is the thief of time” – Charles Dickens I procrastinate. I’ll admit it. I have a bad habit of taking on easy tasks first and leaving more challenging things until last. Or I’ll put off a job until later because I’ve found something more desirable to do—but I won’t define when later is, exactly.…
People want to be better leaders—but they just don’t have the time. That’s the dilemma managers face, according to Blanchard senior consulting partner Ann Phillips. In the July issue of Ignite, Phillips explains that the lack of time kills many good intentions. “Once managers realize they’re supposed to maintain their own workload, coaching and support…
At times do you feel like there aren’t enough hours in your workday? Like you’re running after your work instead of being firmly in the driver’s seat? If you do, you’re not alone—not by a long shot. This is exactly what life was like for one of my coaching clients, a young, bright manager clearly…
Dear Madeleine: I have recently been transferred to be the principal of a college. I am tasked with lecturing as well as ensuring that the curriculum is quality assured and that financial management and procurement systems are in place. My challenge is that I can’t find time enough to lead. When I came, I found…