Author Archives: Dr. David Holcomb
Ever wonder how we learn?
As a parent and teacher, I have always been interested in how people learn. I watched my children gaze in wonder at the mobile above their bed. I observed them learn to walk, talk, recognize themselves in a mirror, write, … Continue reading
Leaders are often not the smartest people in the room
We have all encountered leaders who feel they are (and must be) the smartest person in the room. I have experienced them many times. My biggest errors occurred when I thought I knew everything and did not seek out those … Continue reading
The “Lewin Riddle” – Getting Change to Stick
Dr. Kurt Lewin is the author of seminal works in organizational behavior circles. Lewin offered a simplistic model to explain the change process. The process consists of three phases – “unfreeze – change – freeze.” The “unfreeze” phase announces the … Continue reading
Behavioral Interviewing – Benefits for the Interviewee
So you walk into an interview and you meet a highly energetic/engaged hiring manager or human resources representative. The interviewer goes through the pleasantries, sets you, “the interviewee,” at ease, and begins the questioning. The interviewer looks down at your resume/application … Continue reading
Interviewing – Behavioral or what’s the point
Over my career, I have found spending extra time on interviewing is SO important. Really good people are out there, but you need to find out how they actually work. A tool I use is called “behavioral interviewing.” Not that I … Continue reading
Strategically Encumbered
A short poem, enjoy – “Strategically Encumbered” Sitting in a meeting, discussing the “how” Debating the process but not starting now. Powerpoints, agendas, and Gantt chart layouts, Just give me permission and a band of Boy Scouts! We’ll get it … Continue reading
Reports without action – why?
If you have a report in your business that is not tied to action, I suggest it is likely a waste of time. Does everyone understand how to move the numbers on the reports you have? I can hear the … Continue reading
When hyperbole rules the roost
Have you ever been in a meeting where you couldn’t get a straight answer? Everything presented is a problem; every problem is devastating, and the world as we know it is coming to an end. Turns into the proverbial “blame-storming” … Continue reading
“Manic Congruency” – Sounds good what does it mean?
I have a colleague that used the term “manic congruency” to refer to the dogged pursuit of having all of the elements in a business in alignment. Later, when we were involved in a discussion regarding the best development methodology for building applications, … Continue reading
Data is an Asset
If I ask every executive I know, “Is Data an asset?” I will get the same answer from 100% of the execs – “YES!” But do we really believe it? Here is what I mean: If data were gold – would you … Continue reading