Benton + Bradford Blog
Grief Doesn’t Stay Home: Navigating Loss in the Workplace
Grief is on my mind. I am reflecting on an unfinished project and a remarkable client. Years ago, my wife and I selected a private preschool program for our boys that focused on character development rather than just ABCs and playtime. My children benefited from a safe, loving environment in
Language of Leadership: Effective Conversations
As leaders, our words hold significant power. The right language can inspire, motivate, and guide our teams through various challenges and build on successes. I’m often asked to help leaders find the “right words” for specific scenarios so that they can connect with team members effectively. While each leader’s style
Nurturing Growth: The Essence of Coaching Relationships
One of the eight-year-olds who I coach in flag football brought me an essay he wrote in school. The prompt was, “Who is worth more than gold to you?” He wrote about me. For context, this young man and his family moved to the United States recently, and he was
Going Up: Transitioning from Team Manager to Business Leader
It’s a common enough story. A dedicated employee gets promoted for doing great work. Perhaps the move takes them from an individual contributor role to one of team manager. Then, from there, they get promoted to managing a business unit. But they don’t have the tools or training to understand
Self-Care is a Leadership Strategy
“I don’t have time.” Busy executives and leaders often say some variation of that when I ask whether they are making time to eat lunch/exercise/pursue a hobby they enjoy. And they often respond in the same way when I ask what support systems or peer relationships they are cultivating beyond
Leadership Values in Action: The Six-Pack of Leadership Excellence
In every sector of every industry, businesses are encountering changes and challenges. That’s why it’s more critical than ever for leaders to positively impact their teams and their organizations. Leaders support, encourage, guide, and connect employees to business strategy and company vision. When they get it right, all stakeholders benefit.
Transformation Through Leadership Coaching: The Benefits
In Season Three of “The Office,” Michael Scott visits the Dunder-Mifflin headquarters to interview for a corporate role. In response to a question about his greatest strengths as a manager, he famously responds, “Why don’t I tell you what my greatest weaknesses are? I work too hard. I care too
Leadership Through our Feelings: Lessons from Home
At home with my two young sons, we often talk about big feelings. When children experience certain feelings for the first time, these emotions can seem overwhelming. How can I do anything when I feel so angry/sad/frightened? Recently I received communication from the teacher of my youngest son Miles, who
Leadership in Action: Customer Experience
Who is responsible for the customer experience in your organization? If you think it’s only team members in client or customer service roles, that would be wrong. It’s everyone’s responsibility. And beyond that, those we serve aren’t just outside our organizations. We can be of service to everyone we work
Leadership in Action: Trusted Relationships
We often hear the phrase “You can’t do it alone.” On some days, if you’re full of caffeine and enthusiasm, you may believe you can singlehandedly accomplish whatever “it” is on your list. But even if you could, operating solo isn’t sustainable. And it certainly isn’t advisable. Many organizations count
Embracing DEI at Meritage Homes
Plenty of organizations talk about diversity, equity, and inclusion, but get no further than some meaningful discussions. Many companies take the next step and embark on initiatives that focus on certain aspects of DEI, like hiring or creating resource groups for under-represented team members. But when an organization’s leadership truly
Leadership Values in Action: Curiosity
Many managers are surprised to learn that curiosity is an essential trait for being an effective people leader. Think about it. If you think you already know all the answers, you won’t be looking for anyone else’s take on an issue or opportunity. If you don’t ask questions about your
Leadership Values in Action: Personal Accountability
“Why didn’t you tell me?” A team member stood in his manager’s office asking this question. He had just learned that a more senior internal role for which he had interviewed was given to a colleague instead of him. His manager had put off telling him, dreading the conversation with
Where Candidate Selection and Culture Intersect
Finding the right person to fill a critical role is often a challenge. When a poor-fit candidate is selected, the costs associated with correcting the hire can be much higher than typical employee turnover costs. Beyond the financial impact, colleagues and culture also suffer when an individual fails to meet
Leadership Values in Action: Influence without Authority
While the phrase isn’t new, you’re likely seeing “influence without authority” in the professional world more frequently these days. It’s in the performance assessment criteria. It’s in job descriptions for all manager levels. Tools and classes focus on its practice. Influencing without authority is among the capabilities now considered essential
Leadership Values in Action: Becoming an Agile Leader
We’ve heard a lot about organizational agility in recent years, as the ability of a business to adapt, survive, and thrive in uncertain or complex and changing environments. But what does it mean to be an agile leader? If your responsibilities include leading and managing others, and your organization focuses
Invisible Differences, Major Impact. The Value of Diversity of Thought in the Workplace
Over the past few years, I’ve worked with a number of leaders to help guide and support their efforts to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within their organizations. But many of these organizations, although committed to DEI efforts, have a blind spot. It’s not surprising, because it’s invisible. When
Post-Pandemic Priorities for Leaders
We’ve dealt with the loss. What did we gain? As humans, we are well aware of all the negative impacts of the pandemic that began to impact our daily lives in early 2020. But in my work coaching leaders, I often help professionals reframe negative situations and look for the
Your Culture and RIFS, Returnships, and Resenteeism
I’ve heard a lot about three trending “Rs” recently. Likely you have, too. While economic instability and changing customer wants and needs are resulting in reductions in workforce (RIFs) in some sectors, other industries are clamoring for talent, turning to former employees or those with transferrable skills to fortify their
DEI Is Not What You Think
Those familiar with “The Office” remember the first season episode, “Diversity Day.” It features a sequence of uncomfortable scenes that mock the anti-racism training that has become so popular in corporate settings. It’s rumored that the indelible scene in which Dunder Mifflin employees paste index cards to their foreheads and
Getting Clear about Culture
Often, when a company completes administering an employee survey, I get this question from clients: “Why is our culture score low when our engagement is so high?” Culture and engagement are thought of interchangeably, but they’re two very different concepts. Here’s a clear way to differentiate between them: Culture vs.
Leading Through a Reduction in Force (RIF)
Many industries are cyclical in nature. They often have periods that require a downshift in staffing needs. But for industries that have typically sustained business activity, an economic downturn that requires a reduction in force (RIF) can be new – and scary – territory for leaders. As I counsel CEOs
Leading New Teams: Lessons from the Pitch
My youngest son Miles, who is in first grade this year, has dabbled in sports without showing a consistent interest in any of them. In previous years, he played golf and basketball but was pretty noncommittal about continuing with either of them. This year was different. This year, he expressed
Green Flags of Leadership
Everyone watches out for “red flags,” the indicators of organizations or individuals that make for an unpleasant work experience. But as I interact with leaders at various levels across different industries in my executive coaching work, I see many “green flags” that are equally important to note. When leaders are
Recession-Proof Your Leadership
It’s easy to lead when conditions are great. Business is booming, salaries are competitive, and bonuses are generous. Executives praise their teams, and a winning attitude permeates the culture. But those who understand the cyclical nature of business know that peaks are often followed by valleys. Inevitably, soaring profits come
Fix it, Then Continue Leading
In my DEI work with clients, I focus on the importance of Trust, Candor, Humility and Grace. For leaders to be effective and for employees to feel connected and valued within their organizations, these qualities need to become central aspects of culture. They should be actual, not theoretical practices When
Your Silence is Speaking Volumes to Employees
No matter when you read this, something going on in the country or the world today is having a negative impact on your employees. From mass shootings to economic instability to the fear of losing rights once thought permanent… this is a turbulent time that members of your teams will
Leaders Need Friends
Lessons from a Forty-Year Friendship It doesn’t have to be lonely at the top. And it shouldn’t be. For leaders to successfully model and coach good interpersonal behavior, they have to engage in it. That’s not always easy. Numerous studies and real-world examples show that managers and executive leaders
4 Essentials for DEI Success
Most leaders today agree that a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is important to their organization. A mid-2021 Harris Poll, conducted in partnership with Just Capital, found that 94% of large organization employers (500+ employees) say that their organization recently committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the
A Leader’s Guide to Hiring Top Talent
Across all industries and levels, companies are finding it difficult to hire. Various reports show millions more open jobs than there are candidates to fill them, so recruiters are becoming more creative, resilient and enterprising as they seek your next team members. But it’s not only the job of HR
Your Culture Has Left The Building
5 Keys to Cultivating Culture Anywhere Gift-wrapping a colleague’s cubicle on their birthday. Presenting an official key on the first day of work. Touching a sculpture in the lobby for good luck. These are all examples of office-based traditions that employees – and leaders – often confuse with culture. I’ve
7 Essential Skills To Boost Your EQ
Everyone knows a manager who excelled at all the technical aspects of their job and was promoted based on that success. But soon comes the realization, either by colleagues or to themselves: what got them here won’t keep them here. Leadership is more than doing a job well and then
Why DEI Efforts Fail: You Can’t “Do” Diversity
Having consulted in the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) space for the past 25 years, I’ve seen a lot of organizations approach it in ways that are doomed from the start. Although their efforts may be well-intentioned, you can’t “do” diversity. It’s not a box to be checked. However, that’s
Allyship and 8 Other Traits for Leaders to Cultivate Now
Whether you are currently serving in a management or executive role for your company, you are new to a leadership role, or you aspire to be in one, performing your existing job duties well isn’t enough. For leaders to successfully guide teams, inspire action, and maintain a collaborative, inclusive environment,
Authenticity in the workplace: what it really means
There’s a lot of chatter about authenticity at work. Some companies place great emphasis on enabling authenticity under the same umbrella as supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts. Some studies show that employees who feel they can be “real” at work experience greater job satisfaction and less stress, among
Leadership Lessons Part 2: How Coaches Tackle Leadership Challenges
Fear, doubt, feeling out of touch with colleagues. These are just some of the challenges executive coaches and former colleagues Charles Story and Richard A. Smith have addressed in their more than a half-century of combined experience working with, and serving as, executive leaders. In a recent conversation, they talk
Leadership Lessons Part 1: What Executive Coaches Really Think You Need to Succeed
Executive Coaches Charles Story and Richard A. Smith have more than a half-century of combined experience working with, and serving as, executive leaders. They met in 1995 at INROADS, the organization dedicated to cultivating diverse managerial talent, where Charles was CEO and Richard was a regional director. As each continues
Listening is a Verb
Employees require more feedback. Constituent demands are greater. Organizations are adapting to new versions of normal. Employees are tackling additional responsibilities. Also, water is wet. Although the circumstances of what is keeping us busy and how we work may change, the juggling of too many priorities amongst not enough people
Leadership Now: Managing Through Return to Office & War for Talent
There’s no doubt, the turbulence of the past year and a half have transformed how we live, work and lead. Many managers are finding this period of time – past lockdowns and required remote status – to be even more challenging as we navigate the new normal in team functioning,
Juneteenth Reflections
Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. On June 19, 1865, a Union General rode into Galveston, Texas to announce that the Civil War had ended, and slaves had been freed. Though the Emancipation Proclamation became law in January 1863, it
A Mid-Year Check Up for Leaders
Six months into a year, leaders should recalibrate and identify areas of focus for the second half of the year. Ask yourself these questions so that you can best support your direct reports and organizational priorities, whether you’re managing remote or in-person teams. Are Your Goals Clear and Equitable? Goals
What to Expect from an Executive Coaching Relationship
Most often, when an organization hires Benton + Bradford Consulting for a coaching engagement, we partner with the following types of executives: HIGH POTENTIAL An employee in an above entry to mid-level role who has been identified as a high potential leader for the organization. The individual has some excellent
Feedback That Works: A Leaders’ Guide
Many leaders find delivering feedback challenging and they fail to provide insights that can improve employee performance. But feedback designed to praise accomplishments and prompt positive change is essential to good leadership and to fostering an organizational culture that engages employees and cultivates success. Here are five guidelines that can
Leadership Lessons from Inauguration Day 2021
Like many Americans, I watched the socially distanced Inauguration 2021 festivities with interest. But unlike many Americans, I observed this day unfold through my professional lens, watching for lessons in leadership. Regardless of whether your candidate is now in office, executives in any kind of organization can benefit from these
Culture Counts: Where Diversity Grows or Withers
As we’ve seen through multiple studies and in many articles, diversity training alone isn’t enough. What happens outside of a training module, a workshop, or a dialogue about diversity, equity, and inclusion? What are managers imparting to their team members about effective collaboration and respect for colleagues? Do leaders walk
Why Diversity Matters in Today’s Corporate Culture
Is tension always bad? We tend to think so. But healthy tension can be productive, allowing for conflict and its resolution, challenges and their solutions. Diversity creates healthy tension when it’s managed and supported appropriately allowing for ideas to be shared freely and with candor. Differing perspectives give rise to
What Works in DEI Training?
Every employee has, at some point, sat through a lecture sponsored by his, her or their company. Usually, a speaker of note is engaged to bring awareness to how diversity can help the company achieve its goals and look like the customers it serves. The presentation may be powerful, and
There’s No Ignoring the Need for a More Inclusive Workplace
The diversity dialogue has changed. Historically underrepresented groups have spoken up about lack of support, or worse, in corporate settings for decades. Was anyone listening as closely as they are now? The recent murders of George Floyd, Breanna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and others have served as a catalyst for creating
How to win back those you may have lost. My experience with Titleist and how it can help you get a more engaged employee.
I am a self-confessed golf addict and I am in the market for a new driver. Recently, I visited a local Titleist golf retailer for a “driver fitting” and was greatly disappointed by the experience. Sometimes I let these situations pass, chocking it up to just one of those things,
The Talent Warehouse Mentality – How Commoditizing the Recruiting Process Can Sacrifice Professional Quality
As a business seeks to expand its brand and increase shareholder value, the development and execution of a new or updated organizational strategy comes into sharp focus for many of its senior leadership. Countless man-hours are devoted to an analysis of past performance and future opportunities in the form of
“You’re hired to lead, now what?!”
A recent Harvard Business Review article cited that, “within the first 18 months there is a 50% chance the executive will leave the organization. This failure comes with enormous costs, not only in disruption to the organization but financially, too. One estimate puts the costs at 10 times the executive’s
What I Learned in Business
Trust is built over years and destroyed in seconds. Cherish it. Good bosses are like good parents. Appreciate them while you have them because when they are gone you will miss them even more. When leading a sense of purpose is important. Purpose gives others a reason to follow you.
