Like any classic, Bernard Bass’s book, Leadership and Performance Beyond Expectations, remains relevant 30 years post-publication. He said leaders who transform their environment, and the people around them: -Demonstrates integrity and fairness. -Sets clear goals that require stretch. -Has high expectations of herself and others. -Encourages others to perform well – to […]
Read More →Are you feeling stuck, stale and unsatisfied in your job? First, examine your thinking to see if an attitude adjustment is needed. After all, a job is like any relationship. If you do the same thing, in the same way for too long, boredom sets in. Before your performance slips and people start to […]
Read More →Does other people’s resistance to new ideas or important process changes frustrate you? Don’t dig your heels in and debate. Instead of resisting their resistance, consider their “NO,” whether stated or demonstrated through their behavior, as a call for conversation – an opportunity to more fully understand all aspects of their perspective. Ask […]
Read More →Leaders often face dilemmas – situations wherein there is no clear solution, no definitive right or wrong answer. It becomes easy to bounce between what can be defined as opposing alternatives. For example, do we set team or individual goals? Do we want stability or change? Do we give priority to task and […]
Read More →I bet you still have parties, dinners, drinks and drop-bys on your holiday social calendar. Whether it’s a company-sponsored event, a colleague-hosted gathering, or a party with family and friends, put your best foot forward. Steer clear of “too many” and “too much:”…too many bad jokes, too much heated political debate, too many […]
Read More →A certified user of Benchmarks, a 360 instrument developed by the Center for Creative Leadership, I find it an effective tool for helping leaders understand how they’re experienced and perceived along 16 competencies, rated by a range of stakeholders. Another important section of the report describes five problems that can stall your career. […]
Read More →I enjoy this time of year. And, it’s seems many others do, as well. It’s a season of fun-filled gatherings and sharing good wishes. During this time of year, kindness, warm smiles and generosity are legitimized in all dimensions of life. Perhaps you and your co-workers are making plans for a luncheon at […]
Read More →After a recent keynote on Work-Life Balance, two attendees approached me. They said, “Our leaders say work-life balance is important. They even encourage us to use our vacation, not work weekends and holidays, and flex as we need to. But, the people they call out for recognition and special rewards are those who […]
Read More →Trust in the workplace increases morale, productivity and lowers expensive staff turnover. It also provides fertile ground for much sought-after innovation. If you’re a manager or an aspiring leader, it’s important to know what it takes to build trust. And with today’s turbulent business environment restoring trust after increasingly common things like layoffs, pay cuts, drastic […]
Read More →Initially a reluctant client, Michael began our scheduled meeting in an unexpected way. He said he wanted to talk about the difference our work has made for him. Michael had become a convert. He said, “Over the last six months, you’ve been a part of every critical event, every defining moment, in my […]
Read More →Every moment of every day, your company’s culture makes itself evident – to those who live and work in and to visitors. Recently, I was facilitating a large group meeting. Several members of the workforce arrived before management. They milled around for a while, found seats and got comfortable, chatted briefly, scanned their […]
Read More →Ever wake up in a foul mood, feeling blah, grumpy, frustrated. You feel off your game, off balance, just not quite your usual self. Such feelings can and do grab hold of the best of us. Here are a few techniques to try when you need to shake off the nastys: For one […]
Read More →When leaders accept a new role, or move to a new company, they enter with the intention of having measurable impact; to deliver on the promise their unique portfolio of experiences, skills and potential holds. As a coach, I’m often in the position of encouraging them to take the long view: First, get […]
Read More →Two recent client coaching sessions inspired me to share with you the way the workplace is shifting. Today’s leaders must understand that the old rules no longer apply in this era of diversity and the need for constant innovation, which an be derived by gathering input from all levels of an organization. Lesson #1 : Coaching […]
Read More →Coaching the senior team as they prepared for a department-wide meeting about recent employee survey results, I listened as they talked about sharing the findings. When they began discussing a timeline for getting back to employees with solutions to the problems raised, I had to put the brakes on. “This idea,” I said […]
Read More →Many leaders labor under LIES that limit their effectiveness. One of which is the illusion that you’re either born with executive presence or you’re out of luck. In truth, executive presence can be developed and refined. Here’s a list of key elements. Identify which are current strengths. And, select one element for stretch, […]
Read More →Many leaders labor under LIES (labels, illusions, excuses and stories) that limit their effectiveness. One of which is the illusion that you’re either born with executive presence or you’re out of luck. In truth, executive presence can be developed and refined. Here’s a list of key elements that make up others perception of people with […]
Read More →We tend to use the labels manager and leader interchangeably. Yet, each points to a specific role and set of competencies. Based on the work of John Kotter, here’s a quick way discern with which space – manager or leader – you identify most? Managers feel fulfilled accomplishing finite, specific tasks. Their focus […]
Read More →We tend to use the labels manager and leader interchangeably. Yet, each points to a specific role and set of competencies. Based on the work of John Kotter, here’s a quick way to discern with which space – manager or leader – you identify most? Managers feel fulfilled accomplishing finite, specific tasks. Their focus tends […]
Read More →In a TED Talk, Clint Smith, slam poet and teacher, says silence is the residue of fear. To create a culture that reduces shame and encourages sharing, he has four rules posted in his classroom: Read critically. 2. Write consciously. 3. Speak clearly. 4. Tell your truth. Clint Smith’s message is an […]
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