[December 13, 2013] There comes a time in every leader’s career when one must face the prospect that one’s boss has acted out of bounds on some behavior or decision. As a subordinate, it is our obligation to present a dissenting view of what should take place but do so in a manner that adheres to allegiance to… Read More »
[December 12, 2013] Making timely decisions is the hallmark of a good leader. And, the ability to come to grips with the fact that leaders make decisions and do so in a way that benefits the group should be ingrained in all of us. “Be willing to make decisions. That’s the most important quality in a good leader.” … Read More »
[December 10, 2013] One of the more interesting things about people is that we love structure in our lives. From having that cup of coffee in the morning to watching our favorite television show – humans crave structure and predictability. Leaders who help create structure in the lives of their employees will be more successful leaders. It is… Read More »
[December 09, 2013] The idea of this theory is that by paying attention to and correcting small problems, many bigger problems will be prevented. Specifically, if small problems are not dealt with in a determined and timely manner, more serious problems will be tolerated and grow. The “broken window theory” was an idea first put forth by criminologists1. … Read More »
[December 08, 2013] The relationship between government politics, politicians, and political parties on one hand, and other non-political organizations on the other, is fraught with a number of minefields. Today there are enormous risks, perhaps unnecessary risks, to those organizations that establish a visible relationship with one side of the political spectrum. All leaders, senior leaders in particular,… Read More »
[December 06, 2013] It is long understood that much can be learned about an organization by the people who are hired. Simply put, hiring (and retaining) the best employees make for a better organization. The finest employees do not fear others who are the best and often enjoy the professional competition and camaraderie of others like them. Any… Read More »
[December 01, 2013] One of the many interesting phenomenon of studying senior leadership is that while we see patterns of greatness, we also see unique individual and cultural differences in those leaders. Over the past week, there has been news coming out of North Korea that they have arrested a retired U.S. citizen and Korea War veteran who… Read More »
[November 30, 2013] One would logically expect that in a nation that values and rewards achievement, that any bias regarding success would be in favor of the characteristic. In reality there exists, in many cultures, a bias against achievement. Senior leaders should make themselves aware of this peculiar social phenomenon. Everyone has experienced the classroom show-off, whose interaction… Read More »
[November 25, 2013] On January 12, 1950, Secretary of State Dean Acheson gave a speech in which he explained America’s Asian Policy, specifically saying that certain countries (e.g., Japan, Philippines) were inside the United States’ protective sphere. South Korea1 was not mentioned in his speech and five months later, North Korea2 invaded. Acheson was severely criticized for giving… Read More »
[November 24, 2013] The Origin of Species was published November 24, 1859, just 154 years ago today. But its applicability to human organizations and psychology is clear. Yesterday I wrote about the necessary immense adaptability of senior leaders. We can learn much from Darwin’s writings. Below I have listed some of my favorite quotes from Darwin. “A man… Read More »