The Gallup organization has been doing workplace polling for many years, and their latest results are that only 34% of American workers are engaged in their work and 16% are actively disengaged. Writing for Gallup’s Workplace, Shannon Mullen O'Keefe says, “70% of the variance in team engagement is determined solely by the team’s manager.” You can read my full column on this topic in New Hampshire Business Review here.
Read MoreIn 2019, I traveled to Guinea (where I served as country director for Peace Corps from 2014 to 2016) to conduct a five-day leadership program in French for two rural agricultural associations. This was implemented through the US Agency for International Development “Farmer to Farmer” program administered by Winrock International. Like many people, I have not been traveling much lately due to COVID, but I am about to begin my third Guinea virtual training during the past two years.
Read MoreIn my leadership workshops, I show a cartoon of a man asking, “Who wants change?” and the assembled crowd enthusiastically raises their hands in response. But when he asks, “Who wants to change?” they look quietly down at their feet. Growing as people requires us to look for positive opportunities to change and grow. You can read my full column at https://read.nhbr.com/nh-business-review#2022/01/28/?article=3927922.
Read MoreAs noted in an earlier post, Hermence Matsotsa of uBuntuSpeaks, LLC and I have been engaged by the Civic Engagement Work Group of the NH Race and Equity Series to interview youth leaders and develop resources to support their efforts to promote racial justice. We conducted 18 interviews and, based on what we heard, are working to deliver impactful materials that embrace effective ways to act and think about complex problems.
Read MoreI was interviewed by Jodi Hammer of the National Peace Corps Association this fall about my lifetime experiences, career trajectory, and advocacy for the importance of being a good leader. I very much enjoyed listening back to this and told my family that that this might be the best thing to share with future generations who ask about me after I am gone! For those only interested in my leadership advice, you can forward to 22nd minute. https://open.spotify.com/episode/1kS6ZOdYvVCNpMTaisUcE8
Read MoreMy 25th Growing Leadership column in “New Hampshire Business Review,” focused on working smarter, not longer. Our work culture sometimes conveys a message that those who work the longest hours are the most valuable employees. I respectfully disagree. In my leadership trainings, I argue that regularly working more than 50 hours a week, including frequently responding to emails after work hours and on weekends, may actually be doing your business a disservice. Read the full column, published on November 19, 2021, here.
Read MoreMy wife was on an interstate entry ramp when the angry driver behind merged onto the highway, giving her the finger before speeding off. Sadly it seems that bad behavior is increasingly on display. I remember Mr. Rogers telling children to be kind to one another. He must be rolling over in his grave. Character, including how we treat each other, still matters, but many think it is perfectly OK to demean someone who doesn’t agree with them. Read the full column at https://read.nhbr.com/nh-business-review/2021/10/22/#?article=3886267&dpg=1
Read MoreI recently gave an online workshop titled “Getting Elected Officials to Act” for the National Peace Corps Association. As a former state legislator, I emphasized six steps. In sum, keep you pitch short, simple, and to the point! I also shared about my volunteer work with Braver Angels (https://braverangels.org/), a national citizens movement that bridges the partisan divide by embracing respect, humility, honesty, and responsible citizenship.
Read MoreI recently gave a workshop “Thriving and Creating Meaning at Work” for the RPCV Alliance for Ukraine, a group of former Peace Corps Volunteers. I also recently published an Op-ed in the New Hampshire Union Leader celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Peace Corp and offering reasons why this federal agency is needed now more than ever. Serving in Morocco after college was one of my best life decisions and set me on a path to where I am today. You can read my full Op-ed here.
Read MoreMy son Ben earned a Ph.D. at the Colorado School of Mines, and I thought board chair Tom Jorden’s graduation advice was pretty powerful: "Be deeply successful in a way that is personal for you." However, the newest Dr. Teschner pushed back: “My millennial generation has heard the ‘be yourself’ and ‘don't let other people define you’ message so often, that it's practically background noise.” He suggested an alternative paradigm: Pay it forward to your future self, asking if what you are doing is improving your life or not.
Read MoreFrom June 22-25, 2021, Dr. Douglass Teschner facilitated a remote workshop for the staff of Winrock International’s Safe Migration in Central Asia Project funded by the US Agency for International Development. Project staff from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan participated in this four-day “pause and reflect” workshop, applying collaboration, learning, and adaptation principles to plan the next year’s activities.
Read MoreFrom May 23-29, 2021, Dr. Douglass Teschner conducted a remote five-day training in French for the administrators and faculty at the Institute of Veterinary Science in Dalaba, Guinea. The training, sponsored by USAID and Winrock International, included the key steps in project management and leadership skills for a successful project manager. The training included presentations, small and large group discussions, and participants were divided into groups to plan an actual project.
Read MoreGrowing Leadership LLC and uBuntuSpeaks, LLC have been awarded a contract by Health Strategies of NH, Inc. and the Civic Engagement Workgroup of the Race and Equity Series to develop DEI resources that provide educational opportunities to develop the knowledge and skills of Granite State youth. A key component will be collecting the stories of young people that highlight their day-to-day challenges.
Read MoreAccording to Harvard Business Review, 57% of employees report not being given clear directions and 69% of managers are uncomfortable communicating with employees. No wonder I hear, “We need better communication!” at just about every workplace! When key communication elements are missing, people may become cynical and circulate rumors, diminishing morale and workplace productivity. “They don’t really mean what they say,” is a common workplace complaint.
Read MoreFormer NH gubernatorial candidate Wayne King recently interviewed Dr. Douglass Teschner for his “Radical Centrist” podcast. The interview was wide ranging and included key personal qualities for leaders; how quality leadership drives employee engagement; the need to be constantly changing, learning, and growing; creating a positive work climate; leading by respect; and finding meaning and dignity at work.
Read MoreWhile Dr. Douglass Teschner has been conducting leadership training and organizational development in various capacities for many years, this organization was formally incorporated on March 26, 2018. Happy third birthday!
Read MoreThe pandemic requires us all to adapt, and I conducted a five-day training for the national federation of livestock associations in Guinea using Zoom. We had about 40 people from throughout the country and conducted a SWOT analysis and recommended clarifying the roles and responsibilities of the board of directors and increasing the number of women in leadership roles.
Read MoreThe Peace Corps Guinea staff team I led back in 2014-16 implemented community education that reached 3 million people and helped end the Ebola epidemic. My account of that effort was recently republished (see https://www.peacecorpsconnect.org/articles/beating-ebola). In 2019, I traveled back to Guinea to conduct leadership training in French for two rural agricultural associations.
Read MoreGratitude may need to start within each of us, but leaders have an opportunity to make a difference, too. Those who foster purpose and connection have happier, more productive employees. Leaders (and coworkers, too!) can create a climate that allows people to flourish, increasing employee satisfaction, retention, and productivity.
Read MoreWhether you are a regular employee or have a formal leadership role, this 1.5-hour workshop will give you practical tools to help create a positive work climate that enhances motivation, work satisfaction, collaboration, and productivity! The workshop will include hands-on case studies and practical examples, and each participant will be provided with a personal worksheet for self-assessment and individualized goal setting.
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