By Bob Maksimchuk

If you want high performing teams, they have to be built first and foremost on a foundation of trust.  Patrick Lencioni cites the lack of trust as the first (of five) dysfunctions of a team.  The team members must feel that their other teammates will “have their back” when things get rough.  And as a manager or leader, that includes you too.  In fact, if you want to shift your organizational culture to a more empowered, trust-based culture, management must lead the way by demonstrating (not just talking about) the values and behavioral norms you want for the organization.

One key factor that trust is built on is consistency.  Are you consistent in your behavior?  Are you complimentary one moment and then arrogant or dismissive the next?  Are you puerile?  Vindictive?  People trust their leadership when the feel they know how you will react in various situations.  With trust they will feel they can bring...

By Bob Maksimchuk

To see video click – www.screencast.com/t/b9lFNBIt

By Bob Maksimchuk

Sometimes you can learn important lessons from unconventional sources.  If you are unaware, the classic 1976 movie western The Outlaw Josey Wales, set near the end of the U.S. Civil War, was directed by and starred Clint Eastwood, who played the main character Josey Wales.  The writers may not have intended it; however this movie is replete with leadership and communication lessons that are applicable to executives, project managers, team members, or any of us especially in difficult times on our projects.  You currently may not be in a leadership position but some day may need to lead.   All of us do need to effectively communicate with those that we work with.  You often hear the lament that technical people need to develop “soft skills”.  So let’s see what we can learn from Josey Wales and hopefully have some fun along the way.

[Spoiler alert: This series...