Explore the dynamics of leading organizations to new heights. Learn impactful strategies for effective leadership in complex environments. Uncover insights on team empowerment, strategic decision-making, and fostering a culture of innovation.
Have you ever been frustrated by a conversation (or a series of them!) that seems to go nowhere no matter how hard you try? Progress can be illusive at best when two or more people are in a conversation in which they are not committed to the same outcome. Yet even when you are seemingly […]
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Jim walked into Walt’s office unexpectedly. “Can we talk?” said Jim. Walt hesitantly responded: “Sure”. As Jim closed the door Walt’s nervousness heightened. He was unhappy, but did not think Jim was unhappy with him. Jim proceeded to talk. “It seems you are unhappy here Walt. Now don’t get nervous. I am not firing you,
Do you have competitors who are better funded than you? Is your team relatively new? Are your competitors richer in human resources? You might even believe that your team is the underdog. You can turn that around and gain a competitive advantage, despite your current disadvantages, with one simple thing: eliminate mistakes. Of course some
“Safe to Say” was the term one of my clients used to describe the kind of environment they wanted to create. By “Safe to say” they meant people felt comfortable sharing bad news and could openly talk about what was not working and what they did not like without fear of repercussions formally or informally.
Recognize and celebrate leadership in action. Catch people in random acts of leadership and help them to see & seize the moment to moment opportunities to lead.
When a group needs to make a decision, it is a common practice to seek consensus. We do this by asking people to vote. Building consensus is after all key in a democratic process. When you have a vote, in essence you “have a say” in the outcome. Even if the vote doesn’t go your way,
Soft skills, though not easily measurable, are essential and valuable to our success. But does our perpetual comparative language of “soft” vs. “hard” devalue their importance?
Aaron Levie, CEO of Box, Inc., writes about the source of consistently amazing customer experiences: Uncompromising Promises. It is the stand a company makes that “above all else, our customer will have this kind of experience.” When an “uncompromising promise” becomes part of the fabric and folklore of an organization it takes on a life of its own.
We love to hate politics and politicians. In a US Presidential election year the vitriol flies feverishly from both sides of the aisle. And it doesn’t just come from the politicians. I saw someone post a plea on Facebook last night to make Facebook a “politics free zone”. Part of me cringes at that because
Talk is cheap. This is especially true when it comes to saying you are a team player. Just because you say you are, doesn’t make it so. In her article When is a Team Player Not a Team Player, Naomi Karten tells a story of a group of self-proclaimed “team players” who did not play well
As the US Women’s Team claimed the Team Gymnastic Gold Medal on 7/31/2012, it was bittersweet for Jordyn Wieber of the United States as the reigning World Champion. While she competed in the Team competition and shares the Gold Medal win, she did not go on to compete in the individual all-around medal round. That’s because although
Following is an article I wrote for the SmartBrief Blog that offers a very practical way to use Acts of Leadership to cultivate leadership in others, despite the natural fears and beliefs that can get i the way. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can be used against you … This isn’t
Our culture, especially our business culture, seems to have an obsession with efficiency. It’s not that efficiency isn’t a good idea, but it isn’t always the silver bullet it is believed to be. A focus on efficiency certainly makes sense as an objective if you are creating a machine or a process. Yet when it comes
Is patience a desirable leadership trait? Monica Diaz (@monedays) asked this question recently on Linked In. While my immediate response was absolutely, I think it’s important for us to be mindful of whether we are being patient for a higher purpose, or using the veneer of patience as a disguise for avoidance. Here are a few examples I could
Are you frustrated by people who show up late? Does it make you crazy when you show up on time, but others don’t, leaving you waiting? Forget the incentives, the punishments and the gimmicks. Lead by example instead. There is a key principal you can use as your guide to taking action that will ensure
