vgrubb@valgrubbandassociates.com 
(323) 229-2263
Running Effective Meetings, Part 2
Meetings get a bad rap, and deservedly so—most are disorganized and distracted. But they can be a critical tool for getting your team on …
engaging employees
How to Run Effective Meetings, Part 1
Has anyone ever said, “I wish I could go to more meetings today”? —Matt Mullenweg If you do an Internet search for “this meeting should …
Giving Difficult Feedback
We all need people who will give us feedback. That’s how we improve. —Bill Gates Effective leaders know the value of surrounding themselves with …
Building Your Self-Confidence
Throughout my professional life, I’ve had the pleasure of working with a lot of great people. People that I’ve learned from and grown professionally. Some …
The How, When and Why of Giving Feedback to Your Boss
Ultimately, feedback is intended to help someone be better at doing their job which means that giving feedback to your boss should be easy, right? …
The How, When and Why of Giving Feedback to Your Boss Read More »
How to Get More Feedback from Your Boss
Good leaders recognize that through feedback they can shape project outcomes and perhaps more importantly, their direct reports’ careers. When done right, feedback is helpful …
Overcoming the Year-End Madness Without Losing Your Mind (or Your Health)
In the spirit of the season, I offer you this gift: Twelve tips for overcoming the year-end madness! In the run-up to the end of the …
Overcoming the Year-End Madness Without Losing Your Mind (or Your Health) Read More »
Coaching from Afar
Coaching tops the list of skills that many executives look for in their frontline managers, and for good reason: effective coaching can dramatically increase employee …
Look Out, World! Generation Z Is Here!
Every generation brings something new to the workplace. —Kathryn Minshew Born in 1997, the youngest members of Generation Z have recently begun entering the workforce. …
Need more time for strategic thinking? Learn effective delegation!
Chinese philosopher Xun Kuang, 3rd century BCE: Tell me, and I forget. Teach me, and I may remember. Involve me, and I learn. Effective delegation …
Need more time for strategic thinking? Learn effective delegation! Read More »
The Fine Line between Micromanaging and Empowering
“It doesn’t make sense to hire smart and then tell them what to do; we hire smart people so they can tell us what to …
The Fine Line between Micromanaging and Empowering Read More »
How to Manage Employees without Killing Innovation
Great leaders often have assertive and confident personalities that heavily influence their interactions with others. Sometimes these “strong” personalities go hand in hand with similarly …
How to Manage Employees without Killing Innovation Read More »
Attention, Managers: Use Onboarding to Gain a Competitive Advantage
Onboarding is not a nice-to-have, but rather a need-to-have.” —Kevin Martin, research director at Human Capital Management I’m pretty sure that no one would argue …
Attention, Managers: Use Onboarding to Gain a Competitive Advantage Read More »
Connecting Work Ethic to Company Mission
In last month’s blog post I explained why it’s important for managers to clearly define work ethic before discussing expectations with their direct reports. Today …
What Is Work Ethic? And Why Is Defining It Important?
The first and paramount responsibility of anyone who purports to manage is to manage self; one’s own integrity, character, work ethic, knowledge, wisdom, temperament, words, …
What Is Work Ethic? And Why Is Defining It Important? Read More »
Managing the Generations, Part 2: Valuing the Wisdom of Age
Just as more seasoned workers need to embrace the enthusiasm and new ideas of new recruits, younger employees also need to learn how to see …
Managing the Generations, Part 2: Valuing the Wisdom of Age Read More »
Managing the Generations, Part 1: Appreciating the Contributions of Youth
During a recent training class I conducted for a client in Seattle, a Millennial employee vented to me that what she heard most often from …
Managing the Generations, Part 1: Appreciating the Contributions of Youth Read More »
Why an Age Diverse Workplace Is Important
Everyone’s talking about workplace diversity today, and for good reason: when you expand the range of perspectives, experiences, and characteristics of your team, you also …
Making the Connection: Using Effective Feedback to Motivate and Engage
According to a recent survey by Leadership IQ,1 employees of all ages crave feedback now more than ever. Yet they aren’t getting it: 66% of …
Making the Connection: Using Effective Feedback to Motivate and Engage Read More »
PREVIEW – Clash of the Generations: Managing the New Workplace Reality
I’m excited to share that my latest book is in to Wiley, my publisher! Clash of the Generations: Managing the New Workplace Reality will hit …
PREVIEW – Clash of the Generations: Managing the New Workplace Reality Read More »