[February 14, 2014] Gatekeepers are in every organization and they are the ones who exercise control over access to something. In the old days, this meant limiting access through the city gate. Today, the term is used metaphorically, referring to people who decide whether you gain access to something; like to information, a person, a service, an interview. … Read More »
[February 13, 2014] There is some debate when the best time of year is to buy a new car but February is normally said to be the best month. Generally this is a slow sales month and thus a good time to buy. With this in mind, I’m presenting Ford Motor Company as a very successful vehicle manufacturer. … Read More »
[February 12, 2014] Poise is one of those senior leader characteristics rarely spoken about when discussing the important aspects of leadership. Yet, it is crucial for a leader to be dignified and self-confident in one’s composure. Possessing poise distinguishes the good leader from the great leader. Poise is one of those traits that is developed only through experience… Read More »
[February 11, 2014] Some people say that this television reality show has nothing to do with leadership … I disagree. In case you’ve been living under a rock for the past several years, one of the most popular shows on television lately has been “Duck Dynasty.” It’s a series that portrays the lives of the Robertson’s out of… Read More »
[February 10, 2014] Winston Churchill was clearly one of the greatest leaders of the 20th century. The best biography on Churchill is by William Manchester in his 3-part series The Last Lion: Winston Spenser Churchill1. In the many readingson Churchill, we see talents early on in his life. Our interest here is his most outstanding traits that set… Read More »
[February 09, 2014] Most people in leadership positions will tell you that staying in good physical shape has some obvious benefits other than health: clarity of thinking, stamina, and will power. Furthermore, it demonstrates the leader’s discipline and ability to balance many aspects of one’s life. This is all true, of course. I propose that staying physically fit… Read More »
[February 08, 2014] Back on November 05, 2013, I wrote on this blog about how the senior leadership of Korean Air demonstrated their core values with exceptional customer service. Their mission remains “excellence in flight” and I will confirm that their customer service remains top-of-the-line. Their leadership insists on only the best for all their passengers. Having just… Read More »
[February 08, 2014] Leader feedback on performance, attitude, and foresight is essential regardless of the maturity or position of a leader. This feedback should ideally be from their immediate supervisor, their peers, those that work for them, and other stakeholders. The US Army uses what they call MSAF360 (Multi-Source Assessment and Feedback). The system is good in providing… Read More »
[February 07, 2014] I wrote here a couple of times about the media reporting on a “culture of toxic leadership in the military.” The media, always unable to resist a fad, has expectedly published other articles. The latest is the Army Times (not an official publication of the US Army). We all respect the independence of the media,… Read More »
[February 06, 2014] “Just do something,” is a common catchphrase we hear frequently from leaders. I think a better quote would be, “Just do something, anything at all.” Some people believe that any action is seen as better than no action, irrespective of whether the action is beneficial or damaging. Frankly, this is not leadership. It’s a sign… Read More »