“Human communication has its own set of very unusual and counterintuitive rules.” — Malcolm Gladwell What does it take to transmit bold new ideas to people who don’t want to hear them? How can the language you use facilitate enthusiastic, energetic implementation? Transformational … [Read more...] about The Language of Leadership: Inspiring Change
Emotional Intelligence
The Mindful Leader: Sit and Be Still
"Face reality as it is, not as it was or as you wish it to be." —Jack Welch, former CEO of General Electric Most business books focus on how leaders can achieve more. How can you do more, better…and faster? This full-length article takes the opposite tack: how and why, as leaders, you should sit … [Read more...] about The Mindful Leader: Sit and Be Still
A Checklist for Managing Your Boss
There will always be those who view the concept of managing upward as flattery and manipulation. Others hold the common belief that if bosses are wise, they don’t need to be managed and such efforts will be viewed solely as attempts to play office politics. But managing upward is not about … [Read more...] about A Checklist for Managing Your Boss
4 Paths to Less Business Stress
Work is a common source of unhappiness and stress. Studies have concluded that the number of burned-out, stressed-out or chronically stressed individuals is between one-fourth and one-third of the work force. Leaders and workers must be fully present and engaged at work, in a state of health and … [Read more...] about 4 Paths to Less Business Stress
Narcissistic Leaders in Times of Uncertainty
Today, rapid changes in technology, the economy and the way business is conducted call for robust leadership. To paraphrase Dickens, it is the best of times and the worst of times. In the quest for leaders who can “save” us, we turn to strong charismatic CEOs, in spite of the inherent risks of … [Read more...] about Narcissistic Leaders in Times of Uncertainty
4 Uncommon Leadership Qualities & 5 Common Myths
4 Uncommon Leadership Qualities & 5 Common Myths Everyone agrees great leaders have vision, energy, authority and good strategic direction. Leaders must also have enthusiastic followers; leadership requires skills in persuading others to commit to company goals and embrace initiatives … [Read more...] about 4 Uncommon Leadership Qualities & 5 Common Myths
Leadership Taboos: Exploring Credibility
Leaders do many things others couldn’t get away with and cannot understand. And each time a leader “gets away” with something, there’s an erosion of credibility. Leaders are charged with getting things done through others, so we allow them a great leeway. We expect our leaders to exert power, … [Read more...] about Leadership Taboos: Exploring Credibility
The Blind Leading the Blind: Why You Really Need a Coach
Most successful people are self-directing and self-managing. They take initiative and they have discipline. They know their strengths and weaknesses. They have action plans to follow in order to avoid procrastination and keep on track with goals. So why would successful people seek out the … [Read more...] about The Blind Leading the Blind: Why You Really Need a Coach
The Global Empathy Deficit: Two Lessons
"...We've got a budget deficit that's important, we've got a trade deficit that's critical, but what I worry most is our empathy deficit.” – Interview in "O" Magazine with Barack Obama. Perhaps this is not only a US national concern but a global crisis: people are dividing into camps and … [Read more...] about The Global Empathy Deficit: Two Lessons
Optimism: Living Longer & Happier
“Success is measured by your ability to maintain enthusiasm between failures.” ― Sir Winston Churchill People who are successful in life measure high on assessments of optimistic attitudes. It would be easy to presume they are optimistic because they are successful, but there is enough research … [Read more...] about Optimism: Living Longer & Happier