Blue Fjord Leaders Blog
The Voice for Insightful Leadership with Shelley Row, P.E.
Know Your Boss! Five Things to Learn About Them to Make Your Work Life (and Theirs) Easier
Teresa wanted to see the big picture strategy before discussing specifics. Tom wanted general ideas with time to think before deciding. Paul wanted to give orders that were followed to the “T”.
To be successful, each of these bosses required a unique approach. The approach that worked for one wouldn’t stand a chance with another. You can save time and frustration by giving serious consideration to the approach, topics and personal agendas of your boss. Here are five areas to study about your boss so that you can be more effective in your job. Let’s face it, a happy boss makes for happier days at work!
What are the Drivers Behind Your Behaviors?
Imagine a Ferrari. It looks sleek and fast. Now imagine a Ferrari with a Ford Focus engine. It still looks sleek but its performance is impacted by the mechanics under the hood. It’s not so different for you. The influences “under your hood” dramatically impact your...
Can You See Your Humps?
Can You See Your Humps? Your Strengths and Communication Styles? Keep Reading To Learn Here. How do you behave at work? What work style and communication traits are associated with you? There’s an African proverb, “The camel never sees its own humps, but that of its...
Do You Know What Makes Your Staff Tick? Use these Five Questions to Keep Them Ticking
When you download a new app, buy a new phone or acquire the latest cool technology like Alexa, you learn to use it. You explore its capabilities, you learn how it works, and over time you learn how it can assist you. Do you make that effort with your staff? Do you...
Know Your Staff! Four Briefing Styles that Give You Clues to Their Superpower
Think about your first management position. What was initially on your mind? For most of us, we dove into the technical work. What are the projects? Are they on time and on budget? What are the technical challenges? What is the financial picture for each? For sure,...
10 Things Every Technical Person Should Know when They Become a Manager
Whether your technical expertise is in engineering (like mine), law, finance, technology or science, we technical folks don’t have good reputations as managers. When a technically accomplished person is promoted into management, suddenly the old skills that made us...
Blue Fjord Leaders Newsletter with Shelley Row, PE, CSP
Your place for short, easy-to-read articles on management, leadership, decision-making, and personal & professional development.
Featured Blog Posts
2020 Lessons in Leadership
Whew! What a year it’s been. There’s nothing like a world-wide pandemic to put a spotlight on good (and bad) leadership. Here’s my list of 2020 leadership lessons and observations. How do yours stack up? Be ready to pivot. Each day I’m impressed by the creativity...
Tips for Your New Job Search: Use a Three-Step Whole Brain Approach
What is the "whole brain approach?" What a year it’s been! With the new year approaching perhaps you are looking for, have applied for, or are considering a new job. That can be stressful and anxiety-producing, and you can find yourself over-thinking it. (Believe me,...
Success in leadership requires a shift in mindset
The problem with most managers Here’s a tale of two managers. Can you relate to either? Shontelle: She was one of my top engineers. She analyzed each problem to the nth degree. She was thorough and logical. A real problem solver. That’s why she was promoted to a team...
Is your current leadership development program a waste of time?
Leadership development is about applied learning that lasts. When I shifted to applied learning techniques, I saw increased impact, transformed behavior, and lasting change. Why leadership development trainings don’t work · Does your organization provide periodic...
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