As leaders, we're often convinced that we need to be serious and put together all the time, but is that realistic or even recommended? I believe a certain amount of silliness and playfulness belongs in leadership. In part because being a great leader requires you to be transparent and real. All real human beings laugh, are playful and have fun sometimes, don’t they? Have … [Read more...]
7 Old School Workplace Strengths that Are Now Weaknesses
Ed Hess, author of Hyper-Learning: How to Adapt to the Speed of Change, says that many of the skills and mindsets that were once prized and sought after have actually become liabilities. Here he identifies seven skills and attitudes that not long ago might have gotten you a corner office—but may now get you fired: Command-and-control leadership style Expecting people to … [Read more...]
The Leadership Secret to Getting More Done
One of the things I notice as I work with new leaders is a tendency to accept work practices and processes as fixed entities. In some cases, company procedures, processes and work practices are mandated from a level far removed from the front-line supervisor, and they are relatively fixed. However, in most cases, front-line supervisors have more flexibility and … [Read more...]
3 of the Smartest Words You’ll Ever Say
In her new book Heartfelt Leadership: How to Capture the Top Spot and Keep on Soaring, Deb Boelkes lays out the path to leading with the heart. Full of real stories and lessons from top heartfelt executives, the book will help you learn to transform from a person people follow because they have to, to one they want to follow. One lesson that really stood out to us comes from … [Read more...]
Make Your Own Luck
"The harder I work, the luckier I get." I agree with that thought. I just don’t think it tells the whole story. For example, these actions can help you generate some luck at work, at home or in any part of your life. Say “Go for it” more, and “What if it doesn’t work?” less to yourself and those around you. Learn from and even celebrate mistakes. Read … [Read more...]
140 Top CEOs Identify Nine Crucial Skills and Mindsets for Future Leaders
This is a guest post by Jacob Morgan, author of The Future Leader. When I would speak at conferences and events around the word, I would frequently get asked, "What should we be teaching leaders now to prepare for the future?" Unfortunately, there is not much research that explores this, especially including the perspectives of top CEOs, so I decided to tackle this with my … [Read more...]
Why Now Is the Right Time to Focus on YOUR Development
"Work from home" may be in place for much longer than originally anticipated for many organizations, and that could be by choice. Many leaders now see the value in allowing employees to telecommute. Others, who pivoted quickly and shored up their organization's IT capabilities and security so that they could operate virtually, may not be so quick to rush back to the office, … [Read more...]
How to Build Their Confidence
Success isn't all about building and developing a skill set. Much of it is about having a positive mindset. To that end, your job as a leader is helping people establish that mindset. Here's how you can do that. https://youtu.be/N6FjVW9pxCg?rel=0&showinfo=0 Tweet it out: If you want your new supervisors to succeed, help them build their confidence as much as their … [Read more...]
Manage Your COVID-19 Fears to Lead More Effectively
Most of us are feeling scared and uneasy right now. Uncertainty, worries about our health, our loved ones, our jobs and more are causing many of us to lose sleep at night. However, Karen McGregor, author of The Tao of Influence: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Leaders and Entrepreneurs, believes some good can come out of this ordeal. "Now is the perfect time to dissolve fear-based … [Read more...]
How First-Time Leaders Can Effectively Manage a Crisis
This is a guest post by HARRY HUTSON and MARTHA JOHNSON. Being a new manager or a first-time leader can be a wild ride. Some days your heart is in your throat with trepidation, and on others it is bursting with the pride of accomplishment. Day-to-day responsibilities and task assignments are in your face. No time for what-ifs, strategic thinking, or long-term … [Read more...]