In our April question of the month, we asked how you continue to develop yourself as a leader, and for the most part, the results were evenly split across the board. Of the nearly 700 readers who participated in the poll, 27% say they read leadership and business strategy books; 24% attend conferences and seminars; 24% ask for feedback from employees; and 19% meet regularly with a mentor for advice and guidance. Approximately 6% selected “other” and submitted additional responses, including:

• Attend roundtable discussions with various leadership groups
• Obtain higher education, like graduate and MBA programs
• Continue to develop interpersonal skills
• Job shadow other experienced leaders
• And, according to one reader – take regular naps

Less than 1% of survey participants said they don’t do anything to ensure they are constantly developing as a leader. Read More→

In our March poll, we asked our readers what they think is the biggest mistake new leaders make, and it proved to be a very hot issue in many workplaces right now. Nearly 1,700 people weighed in and the overwhelming consensus (47%) shows that “Failing to Communicate Effectively” is the biggest mistake new leaders make.  “Trying Too Hard to Show Who’s in Charge” was second at 21%, followed by “Not Getting to Know Their Employees” (13%) and “Fear of Making Decisions” (11%). “Failure to Protect/Stand Up for Employees” was last at 5%.

Communication is Key
Great working relationships and great communication go hand in hand – and both are vital components to increasing overall workforce engagement and productivity. Consistent, honest, and clear communication is key to building trust and commitment. And committed, trusting employees are the ones who will go to great lengths to ensure their companies maintain their innovate edge. Read More→