Welcome to Merge's Monthly Mega Minute - a bite-sized, yet substantial and practical, nugget of information that you can use immediately to enhance your professional and personal success.

A useful metaphor for workplace change and continuous learning

Change in itself is not a bad thing; most of us can deal with change.  In fact, change is good.  It is what lets us accomplish great goals, reach new destinations, and create lasting legacies.  Change ensures continuous learning.  It is when change starts coming too frequently and too rapidly that it can become difficult. 

A good metaphor for change in the workplace is that of a sailboat.  When you point your sailboat in the right direction and let the wind do the work, you will go to different and innovative places, sometimes breaking records in the process.  While the wind is what moves the sailboat forward, it can also turn into rough weather that can blow it off course.  It’s up to the skipper of the vessel to adjust the sails, change direction, and sometimes even switch to backup power.  But the skipper cannot do this alone.  The master of the boat is only as good as his or her crew.  If the crew isn’t motivated, or talking to one another, or working in tandem, the sailboat can come to a standstill, or even worse, run aground.

Just as a sailboat uses wind power to move across the water, you can use the power of change to propel you and your department forward on new journeys towards improved and relevant objectives and milestones.  But a sailboat also needs to adjust its sails and its direction in response to changing currents and storms. And you must as well you to adapt and respond to unexpected obstacles in your journey.  As a leader you need to be a competent skipper who keeps an eye on weather conditions so as to set and reset to keep your sailboat on course.  And you also need to keep your crew motivated, talking to one another frequently so that they are working in tandem.  In the workplace, that means that you have to be a strong leader who can keep your high-performing and resilient team communicating and collaborating so that they can adapt to change and still achieve common goals.

The best captains are those who have undergone rigorous training and invested in practicing their skills.  The best leaders are those who have embraced a philosophy of continuous learning, and have invested in themselves and their people.

Are you a good skipper and a good leader?  What are you doing to adopt an attitude of continuous learning and to instill it in your people?  What are you doing to become a better leader?

I’d love to hear about what you’re doing.   Please share by adding your comment directly on the blog at www.turningmanagersintoleaders.com/blog.

In The Globe and Mail: Is it a good idea to give negative feedback to your boss?

Is it a good idea to give negative feedback to your boss? The short answer is “It depends”.  Consider three factors as you decide whether or not to proceed. And if you decide to go ahead, here are proven tips to deliver the message with tact and finesse, so that you get the outcome you want. 

Workplace rituals matter, more than you might think — Merge’s latest column in The Globe and Mail

Workplace rituals create inclusivity and relevance for employees, leading to improved performance. But sadly, most leaders miss this opportunity to build and maintain team and company culture. Merge’s latest article in The Globe offers several simple practical ideas. Read Workplace rituals matter, more than you might think.

Turning Managers Into Leaders

• Video: Thinking before you speak will make you more compassionate in the workplace. If you want to be more compassionate in the workplace, you need to remember to pause and consider before you express annoyance or irritation
• How to persuade and influence senior management.  Merge's article in CFM&D Magazine offers four specific ideas on how to persuade (and improve your credibility within) the C-suite
• Leaders in northern British Columbia: Step into your greatness! This is a must-attend event for leaders -- the Spark Women's Leadership Conference is May 17-18 in Fort St. John

That you can access content-packed 1-hour online leadership learning programs at Merge’s website?

Online asynchronous learning is convenient and easy – you can access it when and wherever you want.  Merge has four inexpensive 1-hour programs available to help you further invest in your leadership toolkit.

• Leading employees who are stretched to the limit
• Success strategies for the introverted leader: "Quiet" CAN win the day!
• Stop the self-sabotage! Breaking communication habits that are hampering your success
• Don't back down: Dealing with bullies in the workplace
  

Each program was originally recorded live, so you’ll get the benefit of two question periods that cover some of the most common real-life questions asked by leaders just like you. Also included is a short note-taking outline that you can use to capture your key takeaways while you watch and listen.