3 min read

The Power Of Culture-Focused Performance Reviews

By Gibson on Dec 8, 2017 6:30:00 AM

Today we’re sharing insight from guest blogger, Melissa Grubb, Head of School at The Stanley Clark School. We hope you enjoy Melissa’s wisdom and perspective.

The dreaded performance review…no one looks forward to it. Performance reviews, if we’re honest, are usually angst producing exercises organizations undertake for a variety of reasons, including what I suspect is the leading reason - saying we did them.

Recently, while procrastinating about starting another round of evaluations, I realized our process focused heavily on task-oriented behaviors that did not emphasize the cultural norms which matter to us most. I suspect most of us would agree that one of our most valued distinguishing features is the group of wonderful people with whom we work. I owed it to them to improve this process.

Topics: Executive
2 min read

12 For 12

By Tim Leman on Dec 1, 2017 6:30:00 AM

Exactly twelve years ago, around four o’clock in the afternoon, our Suburban came to a stop in front of Leighton Plaza, on Main Street in South Bend, Indiana. My wife had picked me up at Midway airport and driven me to South Bend. With the setting sun, it was already getting dark outside. I opened the door and a gust of cold wind swirled in. I put my foot down into the slushy mixture and looked up through the hazy sky at the Gibson offices on the fourth floor.

Only seven hours prior I had awoken to the blue skies and the radiant sun of Scottsdale, Arizona. After six years in the Southwest, we were returning to Indiana. I left behind great friends, a good career, and awesome co-workers based on a pitch from Dave Gibson and Greg Downes. At that moment, only one question was on my mind, “What did I just do?”

Topics: Executive
4 min read

Hall-Worthy

By Tim Leman on Nov 17, 2017 6:30:00 AM

The South Bend Alumni Association recently honored a couple, Greg and Mary Downes, inducting them into the Community Hall of Fame. This is fitting recognition for a lifetime played at a hall-of-fame level by Mary and Greg.

It got me thinking about my own legacy. Twenty-five years from now, will I be hall-worthy? If not, it won’t be because I was missing an example of leadership, duty, and compassion in the community. It won’t be because I didn’t have the opportunity to regularly and consistently observe the lesson – as President Kennedy borrowed from Luke 12:48 – that “to whom much is given, much is required.” And it won’t be because I didn’t have someone challenging my thinking and wondering if I’ve done my part. That’s because I’ve had the honor and good fortune of working for and alongside Greg for the past dozen years at Gibson. Luckily, this meant I also had a number of moments to engage with Mary, too.

Topics: Executive
4 min read

5 Hacks To A Better Attitude

By Gibson on Nov 10, 2017 6:30:00 AM

Today we’re sharing insight from guest blogger, Patrick Frazier, owner and executive coach for The Coaching Authority. We hope you enjoy Patrick’s wisdom and perspective.

Your attitude determines your altitude – in business and in life. You can’t change someone else’s attitude for them. But this powerful adage is a great reminder that you can put in front of anyone who needs an attitude adjustment. I want to talk about a few of the many ways each of us can develop a winning attitude every day. It is what leaders do.

Topics: Executive
2 min read

Who’s Watching Your Blind Spots?

By Gibson on Nov 3, 2017 6:30:00 AM

Today we’re sharing insight from guest blogger, Craig Sroda, author of YOU in the SWEET SPOT and Intentional Living. We hope you enjoy Craig’s wisdom and perspective.

I had my blind spot covered recently. We were going to make a hire and I totally didn’t see something I should have. You would think after 25 years of hiring people I would be in tune with what we are looking for, which is the case most of the time but not all the time.

We all have blind spots in life and business - and it can be a staggering 30% of our life. That means almost 1/3 of our life we can use someone else weighing in to validate what we see and what we are thinking. The key is to get whatever you are working on exposed by someone that you can trust and who can keep you accountable.

Topics: Executive
3 min read

The Power Of Positivity

By Gibson on Oct 27, 2017 6:30:00 AM

Today we’re sharing insight from guest blogger Tammy Boetsma, CEO of Hacienda Mexican Restaurants, LaSenorita Mexican Restaurants, and BarBici Italian Street Food. We hope you enjoy Tammy's wisdom and perspective.

This summer my husband Mark and I rode our motorcycles from our home in northern Indiana to the Pacific Ocean and back. Riding to the west coast on my bike is a trip I’ve wanted to make for many years. In taking this trip, I was attempting to reach a personal, long-term goal of mine!

Topics: Executive
6 min read

Send The Elevator Back Down, Even If You Are Still Using It

By Gibson on Oct 20, 2017 6:30:00 AM

Today we’re sharing insight from guest blogger Mike Cahill, President & CEO of Physicians Health Plan of Northern Indiana. We hope you enjoy Mike’s wisdom and perspective.

I was recently reading an article around the premise that you are the five people you surround yourself with. It suggests we are all positively or negatively influenced by our environment, which includes those we interact with regularly. I couldn’t agree more. But most of the things I read surrounding this topic seem to fail to mention something, something that may be even more important.

Topics: Executive
5 min read

The Case For Participation Awards

By Gibson on Oct 13, 2017 6:30:00 AM

 

Today we’re sharing insight from guest blogger Brad Serf, Principal at Gibson. We hope you enjoy Brad's wisdom and perspective.

In Fall 2016 our youngest headed off to college and the nest was empty. After years of busy week nights and weekends traveling to sporting events (primarily swim meets) with the kids I decided I would try and do some much needed decluttering around the house. I came across a box of old trophies, many of which were from sports I had to really go back in time to even remember them playing. I honestly don’t recall Tommy being in a bowling league but he had earned a trophy in 2003. He is 21 now and to this day I don’t think I have ever seen him bowl. Little Willy had a couple of soccer trophies, a sport he struggled in. My memories of his soccer career were traveling an hour or two away on a Saturday or Sunday where he would see 2-3 minutes of playing time. Don’t hear me wrong, I’m not criticizing the coach, it was travel soccer and the object was to win not create equal playing time for all.

So I took to Facebook posting a picture of the previously mentioned box of trophies and posed the question: Parents of the ‘everyone gets a trophy’ generation, what do you do with these when the kids are gone?

Topics: Executive
6 min read

Faithful Are The Wounds Of A Friend: A Three-Step Process To Better Issues Solving

By Gibson on Oct 6, 2017 6:30:00 AM

Today we’re sharing insight from guest blogger Michael Erath, Certified EOS® Implementer and best-selling author. We hope you enjoy Michael’s wisdom and perspective.

Topics: Executive
3 min read

How Do I Deal With A Divided Team?

By Gibson on Sep 29, 2017 6:30:00 AM

Today we’re sharing insight from guest blogger Michelle Gladieux, President of Gladieux Consulting. We hope you enjoy Michelle’s wisdom and perspective.

Dear Michelle,

We’re suffering from division on our team. Some employees aren’t on speaking terms with others. It’s stressing me out.

I’m sorry you’re dealing with dysfunction. You’re not alone. It’s wishful thinking to believe we can completely avoid workplace cliques, because humans are social, political, emotional creatures. Most of us wish for a harmony. Others enjoy drama and intentionally create it – a frequent and unpleasant challenge in my line of work. The good news is that you have power to improve your environment.

Topics: Executive
All posts

Featured

Posts by Tag

See all