What is the Opposite of a Yes Man? A Friday Funny

By Michelle Malay Carter on November 21, 2008 

Do You Agree? This week we’ve been talking about emotions.? For most of us, nothing stirs them up more than an opposing viewpoint. My client used a term for?a non-yes woman the other day that was so spot on that I can’t get it out of my head.? I wasn’t sure where the term fell […]

Filed Under Corporate Values, Personal Observation, Strategy | 2 Comments

Don’t Feel that Way. Feel Better?

By Michelle Malay Carter on November 19, 2008 

A Common, but Misguided?Strategy Trying?to make a person feel better by telling them not to feel what they are feeling is a strategy doomed to fail.?? How often do we, with the best of intentions,?tell people not to feel the way they do? Don’t be upset.? It’s not that big of a deal. Don’t whine.? […]

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Best Intentions Don’t Equal Best Practices – Ask the Bigger Questions of Your Systems

By Michelle Malay Carter on October 20, 2008 

I believe in people.? Their inherent goodness.? Their desire to contribute.? To do well by themselves and others.? But clearly, this does not always translate into best practices.? Sometimes to do right by ourselves, our systems force us to do wrong by others. Whoa!? Where Did?We Go? Many times we start out doing something for […]

Filed Under Accountability, Corporate Values, Executive Leadership, Requisite Organization | 4 Comments

Where is the Leadership Wisdom? Hiding with Waldo

By Michelle Malay Carter on October 15, 2008 

Have you played the game, Where’s Waldo?? The point is to search an incredibly cluttered image and isolate Waldo, who is hiding amongst the debris.?Can you find Waldo in the image to the left? We Don’t Need More.? We Need Discernment When it comes to leadership wisdom, it’s a little like Where’s Waldo.? There is […]

Filed Under Corporate Values, Executive Leadership, Requisite Organization | 2 Comments

When the Student is Ready, the Management Consultant will Appear

By Michelle Malay Carter on October 13, 2008 

How often do consultants get paid not to do the client’s work but rather?to act more like athletic coaches?? Coaches get to know their players and their competition.? They help clients build a repertoire of knowledge and skills and then lie-in-wait in order to?suggest the right context within which to use those skills. What is […]

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Most Viewed, My Favorites – Mission Minded Management Turns One

By Michelle Malay Carter on September 22, 2008 

Mission Minded Management turns one today.?? Thank you for your readership, your support, comments, and link love! I thought I’d do a mini year in review with links to my top five viewed posts and some of my personal favorites. Most Viewed Posts I Didn’t Say You Stole My Money – Why You Should Deliver […]

Filed Under Requisite Organization | 6 Comments

Office Policies Straight Off the HR Press – A Friday Funny

By Michelle Malay Carter on September 19, 2008 

Since I’ve been picking on HR all week…? Bonus Question:? What values?do these office policies?telegraph? Dear Valued Employees: New Office Policies – Effective Immediately Dress Code: You are advised to come to work dressed according to your salary. -If we see you wearing Prada shoes and carrying a Gucci bag, we will assume you are […]

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When is Fraud OK? Ask HR

By Michelle Malay Carter on September 17, 2008 

I’m picking on HR this week to make a point about the general lack of systems thinking within organizations, most particularly in the area of “people systems”. Executive Ignorance is Costly As I’ve stated before, I think the tarnished reputation of?Human Resources?is a result of a lack of collective consciousness on the part of executive […]

Filed Under Accountability, Corporate Values, Employee Engagement, Executive Leadership, Managerial Leadership, Requisite Organization, Strategy, Talent Management | 1 Comment

Can We “Luck” Our Way into Effective Organization Structure? A Friday Funny

By Michelle Malay Carter on June 26, 2008 

If we don’t really understand work levels or human cognitive capability?in terms of levels, what do you think the probability is that we will luck our way into effective organizational structure to carry out our strategy and live our values? As probable as this, I suspect… I’m OK.? You’re OK.? Let’s fix the system!? It […]

Filed Under Corporate Values, Executive Leadership, Requisite Organization, Strategy, Work Levels | 1 Comment