Career Archives

Leadership Caffeine™-An Effective Leader’s Resolutions are Calendar Blind

Dec 21, 2009

As a leader, you cannot afford to fall victim to the boom and bust cycle of annual resolutions. Rather, your challenge is a daily one, requiring you to manage your practices and habits in a program of perpetual self-improvement. Of course, identifying the right improvements requires you to have a real-time feedback system and the ability to keep your ego in check while as objectively as possible processing the daily evidence on your own performance.

An Irreverent but Pointed Look at Feedback & An Update on the Newsletter Promotion

Dec 17, 2009

Today’s post is at my Building Better Leaders site/blog and features a slightly irreverent look at the value and need for feedback. It is entirely possible that in the course of making a point on why feedback is such a critical skill to master, I compared it to Viagra, dissed the Chicago Bears QB Jay Cutler and encouraged incompetent leaders to volunteer to stand next to a wall with a blindfold on and smoke a cigarette. And yes, there is a message and at least a few ideas for you once you get beyond my slightly off-center suggestions

Leadership Caffeine™: Dare to Be Different-If You Dare

Dec 14, 2009

It’s good to be a good leader, so don’t misconstrue the message in this post. The world needs more individuals that care enough to consistently execute the blocking and tackling required to pass for effective leadership. My issue here is that good isn’t good enough, when the potential to be great at this activity that we call leading is within reach. Often, the distance of the reach to “great” is slightly beyond the cultural norms and leadership habits of the firm.

Join the Management Excellence Newsletter List And You Might Win A Book!

Dec 12, 2009

Note from Art: this is shameless promotion and good clean fun. I’m working hard on extending the variety of vehicles that I publish original leadership and management content in, and the Management Excellence e-newsletter is soon to launch. I would love to have you as a subscriber and this is a fun way of stimulating some subscriptions.

First some background, and then the promotion description. I’ve long threatened to start an e-Newsletter, but have been short on execution. A good friend of mine recently referenced it as my “Unicorn” project…something frequently talked about but never seen.

My Personal Journey Towards Building Better Leaders

Dec 2, 2009

Note from Art: I’m taking time out from my usual blogging activities today to share with you a bit about the background and approach of my new program and website: Building Better Leaders. After conducting more discussions than I can count with professionals in product management, project management, marketing, new first-time leaders, those interested in leading, technical professionals thrust into leadership, I decided to create something that would solve the problems of: practical content, cost, access, sustainability and guidance. Enter Building Better Leaders.

Leadership Caffeine™: A Leader’s List of Thanks-Giving

Nov 22, 2009

Note from Art: I’m getting a jump-start on my Thanksgiving post in the hope that you have the opportunity during this holiday-shortened work week to reach out and say “Thanks” to those that you have the privilege of leading and serving. Here are my thoughts on what a leader should be thankful for:

Leader, Who’s Sitting at Your Table?

Nov 19, 2009

Once again, Mom is proven right. You become the company that you keep. Surround yourself with intelligent, aggressive individuals comfortable in professionally articulating their perspectives and taking accountability for both their words and their actions, and you will flourish.

Getting Out of Your Own Way

Nov 17, 2009

Almost without exception, the primary reason for sub-optimizing in your career and in life can be seen every morning staring back at you in the mirror. Notice that it’s not your boss, your spouse or significant other or your parents or friends. It’s you. How do we overcome our own “going through the motions” inertia and reach or return to a level of high performance?

Leadership Caffeine™-Don’t Wait for the Title to Start Leading

Nov 15, 2009

The time to start leading is now, long before anyone has bestowed the title of leader on you. Much like the famous trio of Scarecrow, Lion and Tin Woodman of Oz-fame, they didn’t really need the Wizard to bestow a brain, courage or a heart, and you don’t need someone to anoint you as a leader before you can start learning and practicing. The great news is that today’s organizations are filled with opportunities for you to easily and informally develop both your leadership and your followership skills.

Finding Your Extra Performance Gear

Nov 12, 2009

I know a great number of people working hard and digging deep to find that extra-something inside that will allow them to push through the almost overwhelming challenges on the path ahead. While none of the people that I’ve spoken with in the situations described above are resting easily, to my observation, they share a stubborn commitment to persevering in spite of the fact that the road ahead seems to be unpaved, uphill and against the wind the entire way.

The Leadership Caffeine Blog

Leadership Caffeine™-An Effective Leader’s Resolutions are Calendar Blind

Leadership Caffeine™: Dare to Be Different-If You Dare

My Personal Journey Towards Building Better Leaders

Leadership Caffeine™: A Leader’s List of Thanks-Giving

Leader, Who’s Sitting at Your Table?

Getting Out of Your Own Way

Leadership Caffeine™-Don’t Wait for the Title to Start Leading

Finding Your Extra Performance Gear

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