development – Nathan Magnuson

When to Coach… and When Not To

“How can I get my leaders to do a better job coaching their teams?” That’s a question I frequently field from the executives and HR partners I support. I hope you’ve asked that question for yourself as well, because it means developing your team is high on your radar. I’ve…

Expertise Matters!

November 21, 2016 Influence Personal Effectiveness

Years ago I served as a consultant to two non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that worked closely together. At one, the head accountant was a friendly woman who very much enjoyed her job. But on several occasions, there were questions regarding the way the numbers added up and we had to work…

Get More Initiative From Your People

June 20, 2016 Organizational Effectiveness

“I don’t know that I’ve ever had someone come to me with that level of initiative. If they did, I think I’d be blown away.” I heard these words from an executive at a leadership event a couple weeks ago. His frustrations weren’t anything new. Why can’t employees take more…

Thank God for Bosses!

March 2, 2015 Engagement Organizational Effectiveness

You don’t have to look far to look far to see the verbal abuse bosses take. Whether it’s water cooler gossip, happy hour banter or social media posts, people aren’t happy with their leader and don’t hold back when telling why. Some are more politically savvy and only think what others say…

Who All Gets to Be a Leader?

December 1, 2014 Change Influence Leadership Organizational Effectiveness Personal Effectiveness

Who gets to be a leader? From time to time, I hear an someone admonish a group of individuals by saying “you are all leaders.” Other times, I see organizational messaging indicating “leadership” is reserved for a small group of individuals who occupy certain positions. Which is it? Are we all leaders,…

How to Ask Great Questions

August 18, 2014 Coaching Communication Influence Leadership Learning Personal Effectiveness Questions

This post is excerpted from Nathan’s book Ignite Your Leadership Expertise. What if I told you you don’t need to have a solution for every single problem that comes your way in order to be a competent and mature leader? That’s exactly what I’m about to propose. Hopefully it’s as…

Great Leaders SERVE

July 21, 2014 books Humility Influence Leadership Organizational Effectiveness Personal Effectiveness Values

I had the chance to travel to Greece and Bulgaria recently and give a series of leadership presentations to several university groups with a small team of business professionals. The sights, food and people were reward enough, but getting to share our leadership presentations with the future leaders of two…

5 Ways Employees Learn

March 3, 2014 Learning Organizational Effectiveness Personal Effectiveness

Where do you send your employees to learn something new? Where do you go yourself? There a lots of options out there. The best strategy is to take a integrated approach to learning across five broad categories. Here they are.

6 Ways to Change Your Learning Culture

July 8, 2013 Culture Human Resources Learning Organizational Effectiveness Strategic Thinking

When you were growing up, you probably spent hours sitting in a classroom listening to teachers deliver lecture after lecture in school. Now, as an adult employee, the thought of sitting through company training seems boring, unproductive, pointless and wasteful compared to actual work you could be doing. And if…

So… What Do Consultants Actually Do?

June 10, 2013 Human Resources Leadership Organizational Effectiveness Personal Effectiveness

“So Nathan, tell me what you do for a living?” “Well, I’m a consultant.” “A consultant? But what do you actually do?” This is a typical conversation whenever I meet anyone new – and not just me, but for most folks in my profession. I don’t know why, but it’s…

How I Cashed In on My Own $77 Million Mistake

February 18, 2013 Inspiration Learning

“Good morning, this is Nathan,” I greeted the caller on my cubicle phone several years ago. “Yes, this is Bill. I’m a Vice President at First Big Bank. I need to know where our $77 million is.” “Uh, yes,” I gulped. “Well… do you have an account number?” I was…

Powerful Question #2

February 6, 2013 Powerful Questions

Everyone has development experiences throughout their life and career outside of formal training programs (school, professional certifications, etc.) that impact the way they perform as a person, professional, and a leader. What’s one of the richest leadership development experiences you’ve ever had and how has it helped shape your leadership…