Excerpt from The AI-Powered Manager

These 4 Survey Questions Are Hurting Your Employee Engagement

Most employee engagement surveys backfire because they ask questions without clear solutions. Our research shows only 28% of HR executives know how to act on every survey question they ask. When you can't fix low scores, you break trust with employees and damage leadership credibility. Learn how to replace vague questions like "I trust my boss" with actionable alternatives that drive real workplace improvements. This guide reveals 4 research-backed survey questions that immediately suggest concrete solutions when scores are low.

Letter To Your CEO

This letter will help you get approval to attend “What Great Managers Do Differently.”  Just copy and edit this message as appropriate for your CEO (or approving executive).

TO: [CEO Name]
FROM: [Manager Name]
RE: Request to Attend “What Great Managers Do Differently” Program

Dear [CEO Name],

I’d like your approval to attend a 6-week online program called What Great Managers Do Differently, led by Mark Murphy, a New York Times bestselling author and leadership expert. This course delivers highly practical, science-backed tools to help managers like me drive 100% performance—without causing burnout or disengagement.

Why this matters right now:

CEOs across industries are setting a much tougher tone and demanding more results, accountability, and adaptability—while a new study from Leadership IQ shows only 36% of employees are perceived to be doing great work.

The course directly targets the exact challenges we’re being asked to solve as leaders, including:

• Setting crystal-clear expectations so performance improves without micromanagement
• Giving feedback that drives real behavioral change without causing defensiveness
• Managing toxic or difficult personalities without draining morale
• Retaining high performers before burnout or disengagement sets in
• Delegating more strategically so I can focus on higher-value leadership work

Course Details:

·       Self-paced over 6 weeks (starting June 9th), ~90 minutes/week

·       Cost: $499

·       Includes scripts, conversation guides, leadership tools, and exercises I can use immediately with our team

This program is designed to deliver ROI fast—and I’m confident it will significantly improve both my leadership effectiveness and our team’s performance. I’ll also share key takeaways to benefit others in the organization.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,
[Manager Name]
[Title]

Effective SMART Goals for Workplace Success

Setting workplace goals is fundamental to organizational and personal success, but how those goals are crafted significantly impacts their effectiveness. While SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) are a well-known framework, they are often criticized for their limitations, particularly in fostering innovation and pushing boundaries. Incorporating insights from the HARD Goals framework and goal-setting theory, this article explores how to elevate workplace goal-setting beyond the standard SMART criteria.

Effective Goal Planning Strategies for Success

Effective goal planning serves as the backbone of personal and organizational success. Unlike generic frameworks that merely scratch the surface, a truly effective goal management plan must ignite motivation, align with core values, and inspire exceptional outcomes. This isn’t about checking off mundane to-dos but crafting strategies that transform vision into reality.

Crafting Effective Business Strategy Goals

Crafting effective business strategy goals is a cornerstone of organizational success. These goals not only define a company’s aspirations but also create the roadmap to achieve them. However, success doesn’t come from simply setting any goal—it’s about crafting goals that resonate with the organization's vision, inspire employees, and create measurable value.

12 Traits of a Narcissist Revealed: A Deep Dive into Their Minds

The Secret Life of a Covert Narcissist (aka a Vulnerable Narcissist)

Understanding the Impact of Organizational Norms

Organizational norms are the unwritten rules that govern behavior within a company. They shape the culture, influence employee actions, and ultimately, impact the organization's success.

Exploring Alternatives: Synonyms for Work Environment

In the rapidly evolving corporate landscape, the term "work environment" is ubiquitous. Yet, as we delve deeper into the intricacies of organizational culture and employee satisfaction, it becomes apparent that this term, while widely used, may not fully encapsulate the diverse and dynamic nature of where we work. This prompts us to explore alternatives—synonyms that might better represent the nuanced environments we strive to cultivate.