By Jeffrey Ford, on January 3rd, 2011
Many managers focus on managing people as their leverage for getting things done. Since it is people who will perform the tasks and lead the projects, this focus seems appropriate. However, there is another way to get things done that is more direct, and appears to be more effective: manage agreements, not the people. Here
Continue reading Manage Agreements, Not People
By Jeffrey Ford, on February 8th, 2010
Have you ever heard someone say, “What we need around here is more accountability”? If so, you are in good company because accountability, how to get it, and why people don’t have more of it is a popular topic in today’s workplace.
I encounter this complaint from the managers in my MBA classes as well as
Continue reading The Two Sides to Getting “More Accountability”
By Jeffrey, on October 9th, 2009
If you read my earlier post on Incentives Don’t Work, then you know that Dan Pink’s TED video raises some interesting questions about incentives. In particular, he raises questions about the role of external incentives and their impact on non-routine, creative, or innovative work performance. His point is well made. Research has long known that
Continue reading Incentives Don’t Work? Part II
By Jeffrey, on October 7th, 2009
One of the frequent excuses I get from managers in my MBA classes for why things don’t get done or don’t work the way they should work is “because there are no incentives”. Why is work late? Because, I am told, there are no incentives for doing it on time. Why are projects late, overbudget,
Continue reading Incentives Don’t Work? – Check out this video
By Jeffrey, on October 5th, 2009
We are in the network era. Whether it is in the internet, globalization, or even terrorism, we confront the growth and influence of networks. This growth provides managers with an extraordinary opportunity to gain a competitive edge if they are willing to recognize that managing effectively in networks requires a shift in focus from traditional
Continue reading A New Era for Managers – Are You Ready?
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