Ian G Cook - Authors Articles

Choice

So, you want to be a success? And you want those who work for you to succeed? Then you might as well know the (bad ?) news. Successful, effective people are courageous people! Aristotle said courage is the primary human virtue. And the ultimate courage is to accept what philosopher Peter... Read

By: Ian G Cook | 14/04/2009 | Management

Ouch! It Hurts to Think This Much! (Communicating Performance Targets)

Are your employees clear about what you expect from their performance this year? I should be able to come in as a consultant, sit down one-on-one with any individual who reports to you and ask him or her, "What will constitute 'fully satisfactory' and 'outstanding' performance by you over the... Read

By: Ian G Cook | 28/02/2009 | Management

Raise Your Gaze: Staying Energized in the Daily Grind

It is mid afternoon. You are sitting at your desk trying to pull together this important proposal for your boss. It is due the day after tomorrow. As you wrestle with how to incorporate a complex spreadsheet from the finance department, you wonder when your quality analyst will bring in... Read

By: Ian G Cook | 05/02/2009 | Leadership

What if We Brought in a Facilitator?

Is your upcoming meeting a strategic planning session? A sales or project launch? A departmental communications day? Or, perhaps, teambuilding for an intact management or project team? Whichever it is, it undoubtedly involves a significant investment. First you have the value of the participants' time, more precious than ever in this... Read

By: Ian G Cook | 05/02/2009 | Leadership

Kickstarting a Brand New Team

Do you remember the last time you attended the initial meeting of a new task force or project team at work? No one could agree on the goals. A couple of people complained about all their other work demands. Someone was pushing a personal agenda to become the team "leader."... Read

By: Ian G Cook | 04/02/2009 | Leadership

Executive Coaching On The Rise

Isn't it funny what we assume about leaders in senior positions. They no longer have anything to learn about interpersonal relationships or leadership. They have arrived, proof positive of their skill level! Furthermore, only a fearless few people will give them the honest, useful feed-back that self-development requires. The "culture" expects... Read

By: Ian G Cook | 04/02/2009 | Leadership

Dealing With Resistance: The 4 2 Method

We've all lived this before. Sally, the manager, asks her employee Gary to prepare a market analysis report for next week. Gary moans and says he doesn't think he can do it by then... too much work and, besides, why not give it to Sherry who has a marketing background.... Read

By: Ian G Cook | 03/02/2009 | Leadership

Want Greater ROI From Your Meetings? Six Questions That Will Make the Difference

First there's the suffocating volume of e-mails. That's complaint number one. But the next biggest gripe I hear from my clients is that they are spending way too much time in meetings. Do any of these comments ring true about meetings where you work? too long no agenda (or, if there... Read

By: Ian G Cook | 31/01/2009 | Leadership

Ian G Cook - Articles