By Kevin Eikenberry Virtual LeaderCon will be held September 12-15, 2022. Over four days I will be joined by hundreds of learning leaders from around the world and 30 expert thought leaders to explore what it takes to be a more effective and confident leader. With that statement alone, it would seem obvious that attending this virtual conference from the comfort of your own … [Read more...]
Making Team Member Birthdays a Red-Letter Day
By Kevin Eikenberry One thing that we all have in common is that we have a birthday. Some people want to avoid talking about them, but most everyone cares about and wants at least some acknowledgement of their birthday. Heck, I know some people that have a birth month, not just a birthday! What can leaders do to acknowledge and celebrate team member birthdays? A … [Read more...]
Is Conflict Avoidance a Good Leadership Strategy?
By Kevin Eikenberry Conflict avoidance, as a general statement isn’t a good idea. Left unchecked and unaddressed, conflict tends to grow, not recede. But the question here is about you, as a leader, and whether conflict avoidance is a good idea. The answer is, it depends. If someone on the team is coming to you, telling you about what someone else is doing wrong -and … [Read more...]
What is the Best Way to Build My Leadership Skills?
By Kevin Eikenberry What is the best way to build my leadership skills? It is a question I hear often. It is an understandable question that comes from a great intention. And I hate the question. I don’t hate the intention behind it – in fact I love it. But the question itself? Not so much. Let me explain. This question is like so many other questions that I frame as the … [Read more...]
When Does Leading Get Easier?
By Kevin Eikenberry Leadership is hard work. You may have heard or read me say it – and chances are you have experienced it – the transition to being a leader is likely the hardest transition of your professional life. To do it well requires dedication, discipline, attention, and a lot of skill. Then, the natural question is – when does it get easier? I’ll … [Read more...]
Maybe is a Powerful Word
By Kevin Eikenberry Maybe is a powerful word. It can be a word of contemplation and consideration. And it can also be a word of procrastination and delay, which is not as helpful. For me, when I am honest with myself, I know which it is when I say it or think it. I might say it hoping people think I am in consideration, when I am really procrastinating, delaying, … [Read more...]
The Best Leaders Are Teachers
by Kevin Eikenberry The best leaders are great teachers. Consider Do this thought exercise with me: Think of the best teacher you have personally experienced and write down (or at least quickly think about) what made them so effective. Think of the best leader you have personally experienced and write down (or at least quickly think about) what made them so … [Read more...]
New Leaders: Where to Find the Support You Need
Before you landed your supervisory position, you could seek advice from, vent to and share ideas with just about anyone. As long as you trusted the person and valued his or her insight, any colleague had sounding-board potential. Now your situation is more complicated. On the one hand, you have a lot more on your plate, meaning a lot more you want and need to talk about. On … [Read more...]
Stop With the Excuses! You Can Be an Exceptional Leader
I often hear people say that they would work on their leadership skills if their organization supported them, if they had more time and resources, or any number of other similar (and flimsy) excuses. Well, I say, no more excuses! Here are six steps that anyone can take to become strong leaders - no ifs, ands or buts about it. Just keep learning. It sounds simple … [Read more...]