The Question Method Blog

I have worked with several organizations that utilize a one-on-one approach to supervision and performance management. The one-on-one approach is presented as a meeting between the supervisor and employee to review important information, check in on progress, and discuss any issues or topics that need to be addressed. These meetings could include standard expectations, the […]

This month, Gallup reported the lowest employee engagement scores in 11 years. Highly engaged workers constitute only 30% of full—and part-time workers, down from 33% in the last quarter of 2023. This indicates lower overall satisfaction with their organizations and less connection to purpose and fellow employees. Engagement is crucial to productivity, retention, customer service, […]

Local consultant and writer wrote an excellent piece for the Anchorage Daily News re. needing to start solving employee disengagement at the top of the company.  https://www.adn.com/business-economy/2023/12/11/the-problem-of-employee-disengagement-starts-at-the-top/ She offers an assessment tool for leader/managers to have employees complete to rate them (she proposes a scale of 1-7)“in terms of trustworthiness”.  She lists 7 elements as […]

It is either in my DNA or sourced in an early childhood experience, but I am a compulsive helper.  It was my role in the family and, ultimately, a mainstay of my leadership approach.  An Ivy League master’s degree in business/public administration afforded me no knowledge of how to lead people.  It was (is it […]

 “The Great Resignation” saw/is seeing a shift in why people leave their jobs. A 2021 Pew Research Center study https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2022/03/09-majority-of-workers-who-quit-a-job-in-2021 cite-low-pay-no-opportunities-for-advancement-feeling-disrespected/) 63% of those leaving cited low pay, 63% no opportunities for advancement, and 57% felt disrespected. It would appear that many of those who were out of work during COVID came to see their […]

Def. Crucible:  a situation or severe trial in which different elements interact, leading to the creation of something new Often, non-profit organizations lack the apprehension about the future and a sense of urgency typically found in for profits.  There are exceptions, such as non-profit healthcare organizations whose customers have multiple choices in the marketplace.  But, […]

In recent blogs, I point out the trends of declining employee engagement and the rise in percentage of workers (now over 50%) that are considering leaving their positions.  I have urged strengthening relationships, shifting from a supervision model to a coach model and increasing the frequency of one-on-one interactions.  But I got to thinking, how […]

December 7, 2023 Aptitude for People Management By now, you know that my purpose and mission is to transform the workplace into a source of fulfillment for all.  I focus on improving people management because “bad bosses” cause 50-75% of unwanted turnover. Contributors to “bad bosses” include lack of training, unrealistic expectations of production workload […]

In Creating High Performers, I devote a chapter to “Relationship and the Underlying Principle of Fairness. ”  In it, I state, “You cannot achieve employee engagement unless fairness is maintained.” Why is this important? Gallup reports that companies with engaged employees are 21% more profitable, experience 41% less turnover, and have 10% higher customer ratings. […]

My friend and mentor, Ken Blanchard, offers leaders countless bits of wisdom. Among my favorites is “Give up being right. You will end up dead right”. Returning to his original One Minute Manager best seller, Ken is constantly preaching that it is about being aware of and “praising” others for being right that develops “winners.” […]