VIDEOS
Effective #management starts with knowing HOW you learn, then HOW to APPLY what you have learned...
Check out Episode 23 of Ask Christa! that answers the listener question, "What Are the Top Skills of Effective Managers?"
(it's not what you think...)
Sure, you can list off the usuals: communication, conflict management, motivation, setting clear expectations, coaching for success... all the buzzy phrases...
But none of that matters if you aren't oriented in growth OR know how you best learn (and then apply what you have learned...)
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Great Organizations Make-Day to-Day Decisions at the Expert (Ground) Level... #business #strategy
The best org structures design based on work flow and accountability-- that doesn't mean top leaders automatically make all the decisions. In fact, the best decisions day-to-day are made by the people who know the work best.
Check out Ask Christa! Episode 19 where I explain how effective structures enable decisions based on authority of knowledge: THOSE DOING THE WORK.
AVOID: bottlenecks, unnecessary permission structures
GAIN: faster decisions, more efficient execut…
Chronic austerity at work damages your business #business
Episode 22 of Ask Christa! answers a listener asking "I'm being asked to do more with less year over year... how do I do more with less?"
Tightening spending or having NO spending (austerity) to recover from an unfortunate business risk is the right move short-term... but it should not be used long term. It creates a culture of simply "keeping the lights on..."
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Ask Christa! Business Questions, Straight Answers, Real Impac…
Ask Christa! What Are the Top Skills of Effective Managers?
Summary
In this episode of Ask Christa!, Christa Dhimo explores the essential skills of effective managers, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness and the ability to apply learned skills in real-world scenarios. She discusses the challenges of management, particularly in matrix organizations, and highlights the need for personal growth and understanding individual team members. Christa also provides valuable resources for aspiring and current managers, while acknowledging that manag…
You don't have to *control* time to manage it well #business #personaldevelopment #personalgrowth
I don’t take a position that you can only manage something if you control it. Managing something isn’t always the same as controlling it.
In Episode 21 of Ask Christa!, a listener asks, “Time management has been an important topic for me as I juggle so many things and sometimes I struggle to keep up with everything. There are tons of articles and books written on managing time but recently someone told me you can't manage time because you can't control it. I thought about that …
Culture is More Than Employee Satisfaction! #business #success #career #work
Some people think employee satisfaction is enough to bring out the best performance in your employees, but it's not. Satisfaction at work comes from doing a job well, and that feeling of “a job well done” isn’t just emotional—it’s deeply connected to clarity, support, and capability in the workplace.
But when culture supports your ability to succeed because the workplace gives MORE than satisfaction, everything changes.
Check out Episode 20 that answers the question, &qu…
Flat Organizations: Freedom or Chaos? #business #startup #smallbusiness #strategy
Are flat organizations all they're said to be? (YES THEY ARE!) (the good and the bad)...
Check out the Ask Christa! Episode 19, where I break down the pros and cons of different org structures so that you learn of the strategic advantages and disadvantages-- including flat organizations.
It sounds so liberating: fewer layers, faster communication, quick decisions...
Until it isn't: confusing or nonexistent authority lines, exclusionary communications, blurre…
"Do More with Less" is a dumb phrase... (or is it?) #business #workplace
Check out Episode 22 of Ask Christa! where a listener shares being asked year over year to "do more with less," feeling exhausted, burnt out, unsure of how to squeeze any more from the team... We've all been there.
It's a dumb phrase: do more with less. We know what it means, but what if a company isn't investing in what it takes to actually do more, with less?
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Ask Christa! Business Questions, Straight Answers, Real Impac…
Ask Christa! How Do I Do More with Less?
Summary
In this episode of Ask Christa!, Christa Dhimo addresses the common workplace challenge of being asked to do more with less. She critiques the phrase 'doing more with less' as a misguided approach for austerity that often leads to employee burnout and a scarcity mindset. Christa discusses the historical context of austerity measures, their impact on innovation and organizational culture, and the importance of strategic investment in resources and technology. She offers p…
Managers have the biggest impact on our employees-- even YOUR manager. TRAIN THEM. #business
Episode 18 is LIVE and it answers, "Does Management Training Matter?"
I'll ask you this: how many managers have you had where you felt completely taken care of-- even when your manager couldn't offer the raise you wanted, or a promotion you were working toward because of budget cuts or other organizational issues? Managers have the biggest impact on our employees-- why wouldn't we require management training BEFORE someone becomes a manager???
And che…
How to keep your boss from interrupting in meetings? (hold all questions 'til the end...) #business
Check out Episode 16 that answers the question, "How do I get my boss to stop interrupting me in MY MEETINGS???"
One of the best ways is to design the meeting so you offer your content in the first half, then you answer questions and take notes or additions in the second half. Your meetings don't have to "happen to you." Meeting management is a skill and a strategy to shape team behavior.
And check out my show Ask Christa! where I review the listener …
Ask Christa! How can we manage time if we have not control of time?
Summary
In this episode, Christa Dhimo explores the complexities of time management, emphasizing that time is a human construct and that managing time is not the same as controlling it. She discusses the importance of understanding personal perceptions of time without the pressure of control, encourages listeners to make friends with time, and offers practical tips for effective time management with a focus on what truly matters in their lives. As always, Christa also offers additional re…
Time Is a Human Invention - That's the First Thing to Know about Time Management #business
In Ask Christa! Episode 21, I answer the listener question "How can we manage time if we have no control of time?"
It's best to first understand what time is: Time is a human construct—it’s built around the concept of splitting up and organizing the days and nights.
It also enables us to organize various aspects of our days while also relating to each other with some common structure, norms, even contributions to society.
But as a construct, I’m not s…
Ask Christa! How Can I Manage Time if I Cannot Control It?
Summary
In this episode, Christa Dhimo explores the complexities of time management, emphasizing that time is a human construct and that managing time is not the same as controlling it. She discusses the importance of understanding personal perceptions of time without the pressure of control, encourages listeners to make friends with time, and offers practical tips for effective time management with a focus on what truly matters in their lives. As always, Christa also offers additional re…
Your Org Structure Might Be Holding You Back! #business #smallbusiness
Want better performance? Look at your org structure. Are teams empowered to make decisions? Is your org design undermining success? Is it an old structure that stifles innovation, or has your organization outgrown it (despite it feeling comfortable to you as a leader?)
Org structure is one of the most strategic levers in a business, yet it is so often overlooked! Check out Episode 19 where I talk about why org structure matters!
And check out my show Ask Christa! where I revi…
Want to avoid the slow decline of business success? TRAIN YOUR MANAGERS!!! #business #management
Check out Episode 18 that answers the question, "Does Management Training Matter?" One of the best ways to slowly and painfully erode your business success-- and lose YOUR BEST EMPLOYEES-- is to move people into management positions without any training.
If you think it's a waste of time, you've got old thinking haunting you. It doesn't take a big investment OR a lot of time to enable managers to be effective on their first day as a manager.
You jus…
Your workplace policies aren't "just papers"-- even if your company wants them to be... #business
Check out Episode 17 that answers the question, "How do I stop putting up with bad behavior at work?" (in this listener's question, they ask about someone who always puts others down)
Your workplace policies have more power than you may think!!!
And check out my show Ask Christa! where I review the listener question, answer using practical tips, then offer additional resources (always in the show notes)!
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Ask Christa! Busin…
Ask Christa! What Does a Healthy Work Culture Look Like?
Summary
In this episode of Ask Christa!, Christa Dhimo explores the complexities of workplace culture, emphasizing the importance of employee engagement over mere satisfaction. She discusses how a healthy work culture is characterized by trust and respect, with a mindset that organizational performance is sustained by getting the best out of your employees each day, not the most out of your employees (which often leads to burn out and disengagement). She provides insights on how to identi…
Workplace Culture: It’s Bigger Than Satisfaction #business #leadership #success #work #career
Workplace culture is a competitive value-- a STRATEGIC value-- for a business. It drives WAAAAY more performance, failure, and success than, sadly, many leaders care to understand.
Culture is about the shared behaviors, norms, and values that shape how people work with and relate to one another.
Episode 18 of Ask Christa! Is LIVE and answers the question, "What Does a Healthy Work Culture Look Like? Check it out!!
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Ask Christa! Busi…
Giving feedback is SO UNCOMFORTABLE, especially to your boss-- check out the BIC model... #business
Check out Episode 16 that answers the question, "How do I get my boss to stop interrupting me in MY MEETINGS???"
TRUTH: if you have a good relationship with your boss, the best way to get your boss to stop interrupting you is to ASK.
I know it's uncomfortable to provide ANYONE feedback. I learned the BIC model years ago and still use it today: describe the observed Behavior, talk about the Impact of that behavior, then talk about what you'd like to see Cha…
Managing to your employees strengths makes your team (and your biz) competitive... #management
Episode 18 is LIVE and answers the question, "Does Management Training Matter?"
Yup, especially when you think of what management used to be like back when everyone thought managers should focus on developing an employees's weaknesses when in fact, managing to an employee's strengths is what makes the grade.
Check out this episode and follow my show Ask Christa! where I review the listener question, answer using practical tips, then offer additional resou…
Org Structure shouldn't kill your business! #business #smallbusiness #businessgrowth
Small and mid-sized companies often want the most effective strategies, yet several forego the more "boring" aspects of strategy: your organizational structure. Check out Episode 19, which focuses on why organizational structure matters!!
And check out my show Ask Christa! where I review the listener question, answer using practical tips, then offer additional resources (always in the show notes)!
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Ask Christa! Business Questions, Straig…
Ask Christa! Why Org Structure Matters!!! (E18 Bonus; S2E19)
Summary
In this episode, Christa Dhimo discusses the strategic role of organizational structures in business success. She explores various organizational structures, explains how they directly impact employee and organizational performance, and how org structures impact decision-making and employee empowerment. The conversation highlights the importance of aligning organizational structures with business goals to enhance innovation and overall performance.
Takeaways
• Employees…
(Ugh, do I REALLY need to talk to my boss about a coworker's bad behavior??) (yes, well, maybe...)
Check out Episode 17 that answers the question, "How do I stop putting up with bad behavior (put-downs) at work?"
Part of it is knowing your work policies-- and don't shut that down before you understand that many of them are upheld by employment law. Even if you work in a place that seems to disregard employment laws, your in-writing policies have more power than you may think or believe.
But-- yeah, if you have the trust with your boss, that's an import…