[September 28, 2013] “Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal.” – Henry Ford Keeping an organization on track (Staying on Plan) is a difficult task. There are seemingly endless list of obstacles/challenges that hinder leader, team, employee, and organizational performance and mission accomplishment. Some goals are externally imposed, like the… Read More »
[September 27, 2013] When I was a young Infantry captain and company commander, I published my command philosophy (i.e., my leadership philosophy) – good thing because it forced me to think about how I would act and how I thought soldiers would perceive me. I had spent time reading books on famous leaders from history, World War II… Read More »
[September 25, 2013] If employees enjoy coming to work and customers are pleased with your product and services, then you have a positive organizational culture. A positive, healthy culture is the basis for improving your organization’s competitive edge. The most senior executive leaders have the responsibility to drive their organizational culture in a positive direction. While this is… Read More »
[September 23, 2013] As noted before (Characteristic #11), senior executive leaders provide value to other leaders in a variety of ways. One way to do this is to articulate those things that you see as elements for a successful junior leader (the “66 essentials”). Another way is to ensure that there is a functioning and effective mentorship program… Read More »
[September 23, 2013] 66 Essentials to be a Successful Junior Leader. Senior executive leaders provide value to other leaders in a variety of ways. Be available to teach, coach, and mentor those leaders working for you. One way to do this is to articulate those things that you see as elements for a successful junior leader. Future blog… Read More »
[September 22, 2013] The Right Honorable Baroness Margaret Hilda Thatcher, a British politician who was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990. A Soviet journalist once called her the “Iron Lady”, a nickname that became associated with her leadership style. When she became leader of the Conservative Party in 1975, Britain was on the… Read More »
[September 21, 2013] While myths about senior executive leaders have been published, they are not widely known. The fundamental reason to list these reasons here is twofold. First, it makes the senior leader more aware of perceptions that may impede organizational success. Second, junior leaders, by learning about them, might not be held back by their own misconceptions. … Read More »
[September 20, 2013] Taking care of employees can mean many things but what it should mean is that employee opportunities to succeed are in place. The work environment and organization culture must be one that maximizes individual employee success. People do work for money but there are other important reasons. Research has shown that many times pay is… Read More »
[September 19, 2013] Major General Joe Robies, Jr., the president and CEO of USAA, wrote about “getting on plan” in the Fall 2013 USAA insurance magazine. He was giving good advice to USAA members to establish a financial retirement plan and get on it. Of course, we all will agree with MG Robies. We can carry his idea… Read More »
[September 19, 2013] Senior executive leaders recognize that values1 held by people will be one of the factors that determine the success or failure of that employee and of that organization. In today’s work environment, it is no longer politically correct to enquire about personal values. This is unfortunate because there are values that directly contribute to a… Read More »