Confession time. I started by titling this post, “Even Experienced Leaders Make Rookie Mistakes,” because I’m the culprit here. I recently committed the classic gaffe of assuming that I had reasonably set expectations for performance around a set of fast moving, first-time activities. When the results didn’t meet my very clear (to me) expectations, I became a bit agitated until it dawned on me that I owned this issue.
In preparation for an upcoming presentation, I’ve become a bit obsessed with studying the 1910 expeditions and race between Roald Amundsen and Robert Falcon Scott to 90-degrees South (the South Pole). The lessons for leaders and managers practically leap off the pages of this classic example of coping with risk, uncertainty and volatility. Here are 5 of the more noteworthy lessons gained from this jour
Fresh off the heels of running my annual post on the need for leaders to eschew annual resolutions in favor of a continuous refresh, I’m contradicting myself just a bit with my “blogging resolutions” for the year. I like the idea of making the goals public. Nothing like visibility to promote accountability! Here are 5 resolutions I'm making for strengthening the Management Excellence blog in the upcoming year:
I’m as guilty as the next person of finding the impending resetting of the calendar a cathartic cleansing, where the failures of the past year are suddenly washed away and replaced by the empty and unknown space filled with promise and time stretching out in front of us. However, if you are motivated to serve as an effective leader, you cannot afford to fall victim to the boom and bust cycle of annual resolutions. Here are six key questions to arm you with critical insights about your own performance and to help you resolve to improve your performance daily:
Ebenezer Scrooge offers some timeless advice for leaders of all levels during his journey of reclamation in Dickens' classic, A Christmas Carol:
Ethical expectations are continuing to increase as we know more about the impact of our choices on others and the planet. As leaders, we have to stay sharp, not just in terms of best leadership practices, but also in terms of our ethical competence. Guest author, Linda Fisher Thornton shares her thoughts on the mind of an ethical leader and offers guidance for all of us on the 5 levels of ethical competence:
it's critical to regularly show your appreciation for the individuals operating at the front who translate all of the lofty ideas from corporate into activities that serve and please customers. 5 Big Reasons why Great Front Line Leaders are Priceless:
While it’s reasonable to think that a group of intelligent, accomplished professionals…all peers, with deep individual expertise in their functional areas might be the stuff of a management dream team, reality suggests that we shouldn’t count on it. Here are two key challenges that must be overcome and 5 ideas to help jump-start senior management team performance:
The Leadership Caffeine series is 200 installments strong and is dedicated to every aspiring or experienced leader seeking ideas, insights or just a jolt of energy to keep pushing forward. Thanks for being along for the journey! -- We all know that leading and succeeding with change of any type is hard work. As humans, [...]
It’s time for my annual Scrooge-like post on how a few drinks at the wrong time can damage credibility and derail your prospects. This is a season filled with potential social traps and ripe with opportunities for awkward moments as we blend the ever-present and oft dreaded holiday event with the opportunity to drink with coworkers. Here are at least 6 big reasons to hold back at the office holiday party:
