The only way to learn how many plates you can spin is to break some plates. The question of capacity guarantees failure. T.S. Eliot said, “Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.” The idea is scary, even if…...
How to Defeat Distraction and Heighten Satisfaction
Distraction:Hurry makes distracted leaders feel important.#1. Every shiny object that drags you from the present dilutes your impact.You’re never your best self when you’re distracted.You bring your best self when you bring your whole self.#2. Every urgent buzz or ding devalues the people around you.You tell people they’re insignificant when…...
7 Ways to Find Your Highest Point of Clarity during Uncertainty
Clarity in turbulence and disruption:You always go with your highest point of clarity when making decisions.In turbulence, there’s more fog. You always have multiple options, but options seem less certain when fog rolls in and you can’t see the shore.The point of clarity is lower in turbulence.During normal days you…...
Conversation Starters that Enable Conflict Resolution
A plan:Conflict is inevitable. Establish rules of engagement before conflict erupts.Lack of preparation exacerbates conflict.A clear path forward makes stressful situations less stressful.7 conversation starts:Develop a conflict-resolution-plan WITH your team, not FOR your team.Participation increases ownership. When emotion is high, ownership lowers finger-pointing and keeps everyone engaged.#1. How do you…...
When to Just Shut Up and Do It
Just shut up and do it:Discomfort is the path to success, but not all discomfort is the same.Sometimes discomfort means STOP. You’re uncomfortable with fudging the numbers, for example. In ethical areas discomfort means stop.In the area of development, discomfort means press forward. The only way to increase capacity is…...
5 Leadership Styles – Which Best Suits You?
Leadership styles:Commanders:Take charge and tell people what to do.Fit well in hierarchical organizations.Work best when roles are highly defined.Thrive when their expertise meets crisis or pressing challenges.Collaborators:Seek input and suggestions.Try to satisfy all parties.Make many decisions by consensus.Work well when time allows for their process to work.Fit well when teams…...
Why Teams Fail
Why teams fail: #1. Failure to give authority.Teams that lack authority are impotent advisers.Any team that needs permission from higher ups to complete its mission is doomed to irrelevance.#2. Failure to deal constructively with frustration, disappointment, and conflict.Relationships always deteriorate until we learn how to navigate and resolve dark emotions.Destructive…...
Lessons in Connecting from a Black Bear Encounter
Connection is the fundamental ingredient of leadership success. (Mintzberg)You can’t lead teams when they’re running from you.Connect by answering fear.Do you like me? Do you seek my best interests? (Are you willing to harm me in order to serve personal interests?) Will you respect my talent, progress, and achievement? Will…...
Ten Ways to Screw Up Your Next Meeting
Ten ways to screw up your next meeting:#1. Don’t state the purpose of the meeting.#2. Don’t declare how the meeting aligns with organizational goals.Long-term goals establish direction. Short-term goals enable execution.#3. Don’t get input from key participants before the meeting.Some team members believe they have the right to help steer…...
4 Practices Guaranteed to Energize Tired Teams
4 ways to energize tired teams:#1. Establish direction that matters to each team member.Can everyone describe what rowing-with looks like?Point out anyone who is rowing sideways. Do this in private. Explain what rowing-with looks like.Understand each team member’s reason for caring about the team’s direction. Why does this matter to…...
How to Build an Organization Where People Take Care of Each Other
5 expressions of care in organizational life:Acknowledge concerns. You tell people they matter when you take to heart the things that matter to them. Respect challenges. What’s easy for you may be difficult for others. Affirm strengths. “You’re great at …,” energizes people. (Affirming someone’s strengths doesn’t cost a penny.)…...
3 Shifts that Expand Influence
3 SHIFTS THAT EXPAND INFLUENCE The way you treat others is the chief culture building influence in your organization.Lousy leaders act like individual contributors. Incompetent leaders can’t see the impact of their attitudes, words, and actions.Source - Read More at: leadershipfreak.blog...
How Some Companies Are Aiming High In Leadership Development
Why don’t more senior executives set these kinds of expectation for their leadership development team? It may be that it doesn’t occur to them and they don’t realize that is possible. They may not think their current leadership development staff could pull off such a dramatic change. The flip…...
How Servant Leaders Deliver Remarkable Results
Pressure produces compliance, not commitment.The compliant never achieve greatness.Source - Read More at: leadershipfreak.blog...
How to Make Decisions Like a Leader in 2019
Poor decisions are often about human frailty, not logic, situations, and information.Source - Read More at: leadershipfreak.blog...
