The Leadership Caffeine Blog
Finding Purpose in Your Role as a Manager
I'm always intrigued when my original article, Six Big Reasons Why You'll Love the Role of Manager, shows up at the top of my most-read list. It gratifies me that people are finding this article, yet I don't know whether they're clicking on it out of shock value,...
Finding Purpose in Your Role as a Manager
How do we access the power of purpose in our role when many above and around us might not be playing with the same sense of motivation? Here are some lessons from some great managers about finding and harnessing the power of purpose in their work. Read and think about how you might put their ideas to work.
Leadership Caffeine™ Podcast #11: George Bradt on New Leader’s 100 Day Action Plan
There are fewer points in time in a leader’s life more important than the start-up phase. Whether you are an experienced leader taking over a new team or a first-time leader getting started with your group, the early few weeks and months set the tone and tenor for your leadership and for your success. In this latest episode of The Leadership Caffeine Podcast, author and Executive On-Boarding Consultant, George Bradt shares his advice on planning for and succeeding during this important start-up period.
Ten Places Where Management Teams Misstep on Strategy
Strategy…the discussions…the decisions and of course, the execution, is hard work filled with ample opportunities to misstep. From revisiting and updating the underlying assumptions about your business, markets and competitors, to the vexing issues of deciding what to do and what not to do, it’s no surprise that many management teams avoid this work and focus more on incremental operations planning and improvement. However, for those who are courageous enough to go down this important path and do the heavy lifting, here are my top 10 pitfalls and speed bumps to avoid during your journey. 10 Places Where Management Teams Misstep on Strategy…
November, 2011 Leadership Development Carnival
The November Leadership Development Carnival is now live at Great Leadership. Dan McCarthy, the Blogger in Chief at Great Leadership provides a wonderful public service for all of us with his hard work in pulling together and producing these events. Check out this month’s bountiful harvest with 45 different writers selected for inclusion. And remember to thank Dan…on your way out!
Leadership Caffeine™-If You Want to Be a Critic, Go Watch a Movie
The Leader as Critic is one of the most toxic, idea-crushing characters you’ll ever find in the workplace. This individual mistakenly assumes that title confers a License to Kill (perceived bad ideas) and he/she takes pride in shooting down ideas to protect people and teams from themselves. Here are ideas to help you recognize whether you are the critic. And if you work for one, here are some coping strategies.
Leadership Caffeine™-Do You Have the Courage to Kill Your Business To Save It?
Fresh off of my recent podcast interview with Geoffrey Moore on his new book, “Escape Velocity-Free Your Company’s Future from the Pull of the Past,” I had the opportunity to sit down and chat with my informal Board of Advisors (2 CEOs, 1 GM and 2 Consultants and all experienced leaders) on this very topic…building a new business while running the old one. With my thanks for their input and ideas, here are the highlights:
Art’s Weekly Leadership Message: Step Up to Cure Effective Dialogue Deficit Disorder
The medical community and drug companies have their ED malady and cure, but too many management and project teams suffer from their own form of ED…with two more D’s…EDDD… Effective Dialogue Deficit Disorder. It’s not that people aren’t talking. There’s no deficit of hot air swirling around most meeting rooms. The issue is all about the quality of the dialogue. Here are 5 ideas for you to use immediately in pursuit of stomping out Effective Dialogue Deficit Disorder:
Management and Leadership Week in Review for Oct 21, 2011
This week’s selections include content on The Great Tech War of 2012, ideas for strengthening your coaching skills, insight into three critical leadership skills and a book that offers something for all of us as we try to escape the pull of the past in our organizations.
Leadership Caffeine™ Podcast #10: Geoffrey Moore on Escape Velocity
Organizations of all sizes and types, from high tech to manufacturing and not-for-profit, struggle with a common dilemma…how to escape the pull of the past as they look forward into a fast-changing and very different world. Geoffrey A. Moore, the renowned high-tech strategist and author, perhaps best known for his book, Crossing the Chasm, a guide to helping firms move from early adopters across this fateful and often fatal canyon, is back with his latest book, Escape Velocity-Free Your Company’s Future from the Pull of the Past. In the book, Moore tackles this tough topic of moving beyond successes of the past towards new generations of offerings and growth.
Guest Marketing Post-Succeeding with Video
Guest Marketing Post-Succeeding with Video: I’m not alone in my video-phobia, and in comparing notes with many of my colleagues, it seems we all struggle with the same issues. We also agree that the benefits of building a video presence strongly outweigh any of the personal reasons for avoiding this. To support our efforts, I encouraged Amber Wallor and Edgar Mourans, the two pros behind Left Hand Marketing and the drive to help small business owners and even hapless actors like me build a video presence, to offer us some guidance. Here’s a free e-book and some encouragement from Amber and Edgar.