[December 29, 2013] We have all had a bad boss at one time and we’ve all seen bad decisions from good leaders at one time or another. A perceptive leader learns from the mistakes of a bad boss and from a good leader who fails. There are many things we can learn from a bad boss or from… Read More »
[December 28, 2013] Teaching, coaching, and mentoring are some of the fundamental traits of a leader. It is commonplace to find articles on the subject and organizational programs demanding it. Yet, there is some confusion over the concepts. The confusion stems from the fact that the concepts are overlapping and are used differently according to organizational culture. In… Read More »
[December 27, 2013] Phobias are unusual for a leadership topic. Yet, people do have fears (e.g., speaking in public, heights, falling) and it can in some cases affect job performance and threaten organizational missions. Hidden phobias can be especially difficult to uncover and resolve. On several occasions I ran across Soldiers who had a phobia that caused problems… Read More »
[December 26, 2013] An undeniable trend, since it’s origins in the 1960s, has been both the emergence of the international politics of cultural victimization (e.g., the Palestinian issue) and American fake victimization. Senior executive leaders are already aware of these fake victimization trends in the workplace and are struggling to address them professionally. There is no denying that… Read More »
[December 24, 2013] In Part 1 and 2 of this series on great communicators, the idea that people skills, passion, and credibility are vital to successful communications was proposed. In this final Part 3, the discussion will be on clarity and listening ability as another two of these five factors. The others are discussed here and here. As… Read More »
[December 23, 2013] In Part 1 of this 3-part series on great communicators, the idea that people skills are crucial to successful communications was proposed. Any cursory reading on communications will concentrate on people skills as a major factor in a great leader’s communication success. In Part 2, this discussion will focus on both passion and credibility as… Read More »
[December 22, 2013] Undoubtedly, when the most well-known and greatest leaders are discussed, their ability to communicate sets them apart. The best senior executive leaders are also the greatest communicators. Leaders must have vision. However, without the ability to articulate that vision effectively, the leader’s ability to see the future would be wasted. Due to its importance, the… Read More »
[December 21, 2013] With the holiday season upon us and the bell ringers outside many stores this Christmas season, the most visible as well as an historically successful organization is the Salvation Army. Founded in 1865 in London by Catherine and William Booth, they sought to bring salvation to the poor, destitute, and hungry. Originally a religious effort,… Read More »
[December 20, 2013] Leaders are servants of their organization. They are producers of goods and services and of successful employees. They provide for friends, family, and for future generations. Leaders are “actionable” – involved, active, focused, and hard working. Furthermore, people of character gravitate to those leaders, due to the human affinity with a winner. Leadership, therefore, is… Read More »
[December 19, 2013] There is an idea that says people are attracted to other like-minded people. Individuals who are lazy (those that are obviously lazy) will both attract others who lack motivation and repel diligent people. The expression “birds of a feather flock together,” means that people associate with others like themselves – they are most comfortable with… Read More »