“Effective leaders don’t have to be passionate. They don’t have to be charming. They don’t have to be brilliant… They don’t have to be great speakers. What they must be is clear. Above all else, they must never forget the truth that of all the human universals – our need for security, for … [Read more...] about The Case for Clarity: A Key Leadership Quality
Communications
Leadership by Persuasion
“Effective persuasion becomes a negotiating and learning process through which a persuader leads colleagues to a problem’s shared solution.” —Jay A. Conger,PhDProfessor of organizational behavior, London Business School Author, Winning ’Em Over: A New Model for Management in the Age of … [Read more...] about Leadership by Persuasion
The Quest for Great Customers
Most CEOs hope a stronger focus on customers will protect them from eroding profit margins and commoditization. But getting closer to customers is not a matter of installing better CRM systems or simply measuring satisfaction levels. Companies can take advantage of new, increasingly efficient … [Read more...] about The Quest for Great Customers
Information Overload: Taming the Electronic Beasts
Frantic, forgetful, fragmented and flummoxed. Does this describe you or someone you work with? If so, you’re not alone. Many smart leaders are being swept up by today’s frenetic, globalized, technology-driven lifestyle. We have plunged into a mad rush of activity, aided by high-speed Internet, … [Read more...] about Information Overload: Taming the Electronic Beasts
Presentations that Persuade and Motivate
Almost everyone feels a bit nervous about delivering a presentation before a group. Some people claim they’d rather undergo a root canal than manage the anxiety associated with giving a speech. Follow some basic guidelines for preparation and delivery, and you can transform your nervousness into … [Read more...] about Presentations that Persuade and Motivate
How to Get the Most People-Power from Your Conference
Most people are required to attend conferences and trade shows at some point during their careers. Attitudes can range from “have to go” to “want to go.” If you’re an extrovert, chances are you’ll welcome the opportunity to socialize and connect with other people. And if you’re an introvert, … [Read more...] about How to Get the Most People-Power from Your Conference
Maximize Your Meetings
Meetings, like death and taxes, are an inevitable fact of business life. Many, unfortunately, turn out to be a huge waste of time. Some companies schedule them so automatically that staff members’ energy is completely zapped, replaced by apathy and boredom. Meetings are used counterproductively … [Read more...] about Maximize Your Meetings
Dealing with Difficult People
They’re everywhere. Walk into any workplace and you’ll find them. Regardless of your company’s success or employee-friendly culture, difficult people pose challenges for managers and team leaders each day. Some are angry; some are anxious. Others are fearful, negative and obstinate. Some spark … [Read more...] about Dealing with Difficult People
Great Expectations: The Boss/Direct Report Tango
What should a leader expect from a direct report and what can the latter expect from the leader in return? When both parties have clear expectations, the relationship is smooth like a tango. If one person gets out of step, however, the ensuing relationship makes for discord. While much has … [Read more...] about Great Expectations: The Boss/Direct Report Tango
The Unspoken Taboos of Leadership: Exploring Charisma
Leadership is messy — and not for everyone. It’s a contact sport, and people get hurt. Unfortunately, the subject remains poorly understood. Part of the problem is the expansion of the term “leadership” to refer to anyone who is relatively skilled, holds a position of some authority and has a … [Read more...] about The Unspoken Taboos of Leadership: Exploring Charisma