[October 26, 2013] If you want to be a good leader, but especially if you want to be a great leader, plan on doing things outside your personal comfort zone. Senior leaders must be always on the lookout for ways to improve their capability and capacity to get things done. “If you’re comfortable, you’re not growing.” – Unknown … Read More »
[October 25, 2013] As children we used to tease each other occasionally by telling our friends we had a real “good deal” for them. We would sell them a bridge … called the Brooklyn Bridge … at a great price. This teasing game likely came about in the 1800s when the bridge was associated with some political corruption. … Read More »
[Updated December 28, 2013] Great leaders have extraordinary persistence. Yes, possession of large doses of persistence is a prerequisite for great senior executive leaders. The dictionary defines persistence as, “Firm or obstinate continuance in a course of action in spite of difficulty or opposition.” In other words, do not expect persistence to be easy. In fact, it’s hard. For… Read More »
[October 23, 2013] Many years ago in my college days, I saw the movie “Being There” staring Woody Allen and Shirley Maclaine. The movie is about a low intelligent gardener whose only knowledge of the world is from watching television. It is a sort of pre Forrest Gump type movie with the main character who lucks into fame… Read More »
[October 22, 2013] It is said that learning from your mistakes is the best teacher. I think the jury is still out on that judgment but failure certainly provides the most unforgettable opportunity to learn. Senior executive leaders will learn lessons from those failures just like any leader. However, the lessons that senior leaders take away are more… Read More »
[October 21, 2013] By discussing core values, it is again easy to select an organization that clearly articulates its values. The U.S. Army has seven values which follow the acronym LDRSHIP. They are: Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Integrity, and Personal Courage. There is the expectation that every Soldier, regardless of rank, memorizes and lives by those values.… Read More »
[October 20, 2013] Every decision that leaders make involves some level of bias. The problem is not that there is bias, a natural function, but that some biases in decision-making and employee affairs can lead to an incorrect judgment, unfounded conclusions, and uncertainty. Senior leaders are interested in both mission accomplishment and taking care of their employees. Therefore,… Read More »
[October 19, 2013] Humility is defined several ways. However, the meanings used today lead to confusion, especially when employed to describe a leader. First, it can mean lack of confidence or timidity. Or second, it can mean to be humble, lacking pretence, not believing you are superior to others. In some cultures, the language separates the meanings but… Read More »
[October 18, 2013] The photograph is of the crew of the Boeing B-17 “The Memphis Belle.” During WWII, lead by Captain Robert Morgan, the crew flew 29 missions altogether, 25 in this aircraft. I was fortunate to meet retired Colonel Robert Morgan nearly two decades ago and to hear of the exploits of his crew and the combat… Read More »
[October 17, 2013] Unpredictable major events, good or bad, that have a major effect on people, organizations, or society are often justified as destiny after their occurrence. While we cannot predict such events, we can certainly put into place mechanisms that prepare us better to take advantage of them. Taleb called these events “Black Swans.”1 The Honorable Donald… Read More »