by Mack | | Be the Boss, Boss On, Boss Up, Communication, Gaining an Edge, Get Better, Go Full Speed, Growth, Management Development, Personal Mastery, Problem-Solving, Professional Development
Back in my days of being The Boss (circa 1995), my big boss, the now notorious Captain Davies would begin most of our daily meetings with questions that all started with a bad word… WHY? Why is Petty Officer Smith not working with his doctor? Why are the pens on...
by Mack | | Always Compete, Be the Boss, Boss On, Boss Up, Communication, Gaining an Edge, Get Better, Management Development, Motivation, Personal Mastery, Problem-Solving, Professional Development
Recently I was talking to a Canadian couple about life as an empty-nester. We talked about raising kids and how fast the time went by. I thought quite a bit about raising our two kids who are now out of the house and on their own. Two kids. Two VERY different...
by Mack | | Be the Boss, Boss On, Boss Up, Gaining an Edge, Growth, Management Development, Motivation, Problem-Solving, Professional Development
As The Boss, one of the most difficult things you’ll ever do is give someone corrective feedback. A few years ago, I facilitated a coaching skills workshop for a bank in New York City. Of the 12 managers in the room, all told me that giving corrective feedback was...
by Mack | | Be the Boss, Boss On, Boss Up, Gaining an Edge, Get Better, Growth, Management Development, Motivation, Personal Mastery, Problem-Solving, Professional Development
When you became The Boss, your new priority shifted from being technical expert to being the developer of technical expertise in others. This shift is rarely accomplished well because it’s difficult and uncomfortable. Since it’s now your responsibility though, let...
by Mack | | Always Compete, Be the Boss, Boss On, Boss Up, Communication, Gaining an Edge, Get Better, Go Full Speed, Growth, Management Development, Never Quit, Personal Mastery, Problem-Solving, Professional Development
As The Boss, you will only succeed if your direct reports respect you. If you’re respected, you might eventually be liked. But if your people only like you, you may never be respected. To get respect, do what you say you will do. Every two years, political...
by Mack | | Be the Boss, Boss On, Boss Up, Gaining an Edge, Get Better, Go Full Speed, Growth, Management Development, Personal Mastery, Professional Development
In my first role as a supervisor, I was a complete failure. It was 1995 and I became the Leading Petty Officer (LPO) at the Branch Dental Clinic on the Bangor Submarine base in Silverdale, Washington. 22 techs reported to me and I oversaw staffing the clinic as well...
