A Quick Indicator to Determine if You are an Effective Leader
I have a question for you that I believe is a quick indicator of whether or not you are an effective leader. Here it is: Do you believe that humility, vulnerability, and authenticity are essential for effective leadership? If you answer “yes” and lead using these traits, it is a strong signal that you are […]
The Leadership Case for Vulnerability
For most people, vulnerability is the antithesis of leadership. Many people see and expect leaders to be like sports cars: Look good Perform at high levels at all times Get where they are going fast Generally travel (progress) in a linear fashion Thus, no surprise, leaders feel the pressure to be like sports cars. But, […]
Mindsets Eat Strategy for Breakfast
You have probably heard the phrase “culture eats strategy for breakfast.” I think a more accurate statement is usually “mindsets eat strategy for breakfast.” Mindsets shape how leaders and employees see and interpret their world, which is what leads to a specific culture, or typical pattern of thinking and behaving within groups. If an organization […]
Have You Transformed?
Have you ever noticed that there are some people and leaders who stand out from others in a positive way? They seem to operate on a different, higher plane. It isn’t always easy to put your finger on what makes them different, but for whatever reason, they seem exceptionally productive, overly generous, and an overall […]
What Leadership Thought Leaders Have Gotten Wrong (for Centuries)
If you are not aware, leadership statistics are bleak. Are these statistics the result of a lack of effort by leaders or those who develop them? I don’t think so. I think it is because leadership thought leaders have taken a systematic approach to leadership that is fundamentally flawed. From the time of the ancient […]
The Problem with Overlooking Mindsets When Setting Organizational Strategy
In a prior post, I wrote about how leaders commonly see themselves as the hero, but all too often, they are actually the villain. I recently heard a great example of this. A couple weeks ago, I presented a workshop at a leadership development conference with a group of 70 bankers. I had just finished […]
Becoming a More Positive Influence: Be Courageous Enough to ‘Work the Angles’
Being an effective leader requires being courageous. But in what way? When I speak to groups, I will occasionally ask them: “On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being very important, how important is it that a leader or manager focus on employee morale?” I rarely get people who respond by indicating an ‘8’ or […]
Becoming a More Positive Influence: Heal Thyself and Lead from Heart, not Hurt!
Learn what Brené Brown has to say about: 1. What prevents leaders from being more effective, 2. How it is critical for leaders to become more self-aware in order to become more effective, and 3. What is required of leaders to actually move the needle on their effectiveness.
Becoming a More Positive Influence: Show Appreciation
The difference between recognition and appreciation can mean the difference between being a weak positive influence and a strong positive influence on those you lead.
Becoming a More Positive Influence: Be Someone Others Want to Follow
Being an effective leader requires that we become someone others want to follow, developing and improving ourselves such that we become someone that others admire and want to follow, not because of the position we hold, but because of the person we are.
