Tag Archives: communication
The Apology of a Daring Leader
Apologizing is not weakness Owning our missteps – shows humanity, an acknowledgement of responsibility, humility, and vulnerability The process of apologizing helps us reset and reprioritize the things we value An apology clears the way for new beginnings and possibilities Saying I’m sorry will help us move towards growth and understanding A Case […]
The Purpose Review
The ineffectual nature of the traditional performance review process seems to be a never ending storyline as evidenced in the 2008 Wall Street Journal article, “Get rid of the performance review!”. Discussions on how to skillfully facilitate a meaningful dialogue with actionable content persists with few notable changes. I would advocate that we consider a […]
The Hopeful Cynic
The Hopeful Cynic “When you are cynical, you are never disappointed. It’s courageous to hope, because at some point, you will get your heart broken.” I recently heard Carrie Newcomer make this statement as she was being interviewed by Krista Tippett for an episode of the thought-provoking “onbeing” podcast series. Dear readers, these words have […]
Case Study: A Leader’s Journey
After our last post you should have a solid understanding of the Four Intelligences. As we jump into a real-life case study (where names and workplaces have been changed in order to protect the players involved), I challenge you to analyze how the story’s leader, Mark, uses his innate characteristics and learned competencies in order […]
There’s More to Intelligence than an IQ!
Part 2 of a Multi-Part Series Last week, we answered the paramount question: “Who am I as a leader?” We took time to distinguish between the Characteristics and Competencies of leadership, and touched on the connection to Multiple Intelligence Theory. In this post, we’ll define and explore the application of the Four Intelligences. At the […]
Mind Your Ps and Qs: Know Your Cs and CS
Part One of a Multi-Part Series Frank is a mid-level manager at a machining warehouse with three years of experience. He performs tasks enthusiastically and has received praise for his creative solutions for streamlining processes and procedures at his facility. Last week, one of Frank’s employees suddenly lost a close member of her family. Frank […]
Navigating Positional Thinkers
“The key to successful leadership today is influence, not authority.” Kenneth Blanchard In the past couple of weeks, I have found myself lending support to individuals seeking guidance on how to collaborate with a leader stuck in positional thinking. I am always appreciative to have the opportunity to support fellow leaders as they explore the […]
Leading Courageously
The Pulitzer-Prize winning book Profiles In Courage, written by John F. Kennedy, speaks of historic leaders whose legacies are noted in history by their great sacrifices as a result of their courage. Reading the story of Daniel Webster, the Senator, former Constitutional lawyer and three-time Presidential candidate, particularly struck me this week as I also […]
Actively Seeking Feedback
A familiar cynical saying resurfaced for me this week, “If a leader asks you for feedback, they either want validation or information, they rarely want feedback”. I find this pessimistic view to be troubling. Since hearing it, I’ve recommitted to making myself accessible and incorporating the pursuit of actively seeking feedback into my leadership values. […]
Leadership and Reasoning 