Thinking Differently About What It Means to Lead

We've barely scratched the surface of the areas in our organizations where thinking differently is essential for survival and success. Teaming, strategy and problem-solving all loom large and merit this treatment. However, starting with the role and work of leaders and the processes for adding talent to the team and supporting their development are perfect entry points.

First-Time Manager #14—Management Lessons Learned the Hard Way

In workshops and live settings, I’ve been asked numerous times about my biggest mistakes as a manager. I’ve made a fair number of them over three decades of leading and managing (and I regularly share these via my cases and articles), however, my Achilles Heel earlier in my career was my propensity to invest an [...]

By |2017-11-06T09:33:40-06:00November 6th, 2017|Emerging Leaders, First Time Manager Series, Leadership|0 Comments

Art of Managing—In Searching for Talent, Emphasize Potential

The author builds a case for shifting away from the competency model (core skills and experiences) that has dominated hiring practices for the recent past, to one that emphasizes assessing a candidate’s potential in the form of, “the ability to adapt to ever-changing business environments and grow into challenging new roles.”

By |2016-10-22T17:11:14-05:00June 24th, 2014|Art of Managing, Leadership, Management Innovation|2 Comments

Leadership Caffeine™: Time to Take out the 360-Degree Trash

Note: today's rave is brought to you by one too many conversations with frustrated managers and employees over their firm's evaluation systems. While I’m certain there’s a good 360-degree feedback program out there somewhere, the trash frequently heaped upon unwitting corporate victims by misguided management groups via their HR departments is….well, it’s trash. Please place it in a proper container and dispose of it before it starts to stink.

By |2016-10-22T17:11:42-05:00February 22nd, 2011|Leadership, Leadership Caffeine|14 Comments

How Not to Build a Better Leader!

I had a great conversation the other day with a talented twenty-something who just exudes confidence, competence and excitement about her career and her interest in professional development. Her reviews are top flight, she has been managing a major client account to great results, and she is actively pursuing her M.B.A. degree. This is one motivated young professional! It’s too bad that her biggest dilemma is, “My job is fine, but I’m starting to get bored. I want some bigger challenges and I want to lead, and they keep telling me that they are working on a program for that."

By |2016-10-22T17:11:58-05:00December 8th, 2009|Uncategorized|4 Comments

Want a Dream Team? Give a Visionary a Voice

Who’s the Visionary on your team? Hint: chances are it’s not the leader. Contrary to popular myth, “being a visionary” is neither a prerequisite for leading, nor is it bestowed upon the chosen few as they ascend to their lofty perches above us. Many Visionaries labor in relative obscurity, often ignored or worse yet, mocked, because of their unique way of looking at the world and the issues in front of them.

By |2016-10-22T17:11:58-05:00December 4th, 2009|Leadership, Leading Change|5 Comments

Leadership Lessons from the Road

One of the great things about leading workshops with talented professionals is how much I learn about the very real challenges that people face in trying to get work done inside their organizations. After spending a day together working with a group technical professionals at The Data Warehouse Institute's World Conference, I gained some insights into the challenges and barriers that are slowing down progress and inhibiting performance improvements inside organizations.

By |2016-10-22T17:12:13-05:00February 27th, 2009|Career, Decision-Making, Leadership, Project Management|2 Comments

Your Recruiting Practices Might Just Be Killing Your Business

It’s long past overdue to change the way you recruit talent. The way you’ve been doing it is wrong, and it is hurting your business. This topic is particularly important, because there is a goldmine of talent on the street in this lousy economy. Your opportunity to strengthen your firm with hungry, motivated and powerful people will never be better IF you execute properly.

By |2016-10-22T17:12:14-05:00January 29th, 2009|Leadership|0 Comments
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