The Perception Gap

Different points of view and perceptions are often a force for good. Diverse approaches beget innovations and positive change. But when perceptions diverge over the fundamentals, things can get challenging. Fundamentals like business goals, performance, and issues of fairness.

Perhaps the most pernicious perception-at-work challenge is in the realm of performance. Employees who aren’t performing well often think they’re doing better than they are. After interventions by managers they say things like “But I did xyz…” - even when they’ve been asked to focus instead on abc.

Ellie Hearne on perception and performance and how to address the gaps.

Culture, Leadership, Team development, WorkplaceEllie HearneFebruary 11, 2020performance review, performance, leadership, culture

Feedback and the Passive-Aggressive Boss

"I'd like to tell you that I calmly asked for specific examples and set about changing my confident ways. But I can't tell you that, because instead, after I thanked my boss and walked out of the meeting with as much dignity as I could muster, I indulged in what might charitably be described as 'falling apart.'"

Reflections on the passive-aggressive leader at work.

Leadership, CareerEllie HearneSeptember 28, 2017leadership development, leadership, performance review, personal experience

"Titles Don't Mean Anything." And Other Works of Fiction.

"Like the parent who's afraid to tell off their child for throwing food in a restaurant, the boss who can't say no is doing no one any favors."

Pencil or Ink founder Ellie Hearne reflects on a primary trait of a green leader.

Leadership, Personal Experience, CareerEllie HearneSeptember 5, 2017personal experience, leadership, performance review

Managing the "Problem Employee": A How-To Guide

Problem employee? If your approach is to tell them about what they did wrong, explain to them why it was a problem, and ask them not to do it again next time, be prepared to have the same meeting every week. You've crossed The Conversation off your to do list but haven't learned or solved a thing.

How-To, Career, LeadershipEllie HearneApril 24, 2017leadership, management, feedback, performance review, performance