In organizations with “good-enough” cultures, billions of dollars are wasted each year by leaders and staff who compromise on standards. Such leaders endanger themselves and their careers by permitting a “good-enough” mentality. Fortunately, this danger of mediocrity has a remedy. “Only the … [Read more...] about The Failure of “Good-Enough” Cultures
organizational culture
The Risks of Working for a People Pleasing Leader
Working for someone who is a people-pleaser may seem fairly innocuous or even desirable, but such leaders pose daunting challenges for their organizations. If you work for a people-pleaser, you most likely see the inherent problems and confess to seeking ways to maneuver around … [Read more...] about The Risks of Working for a People Pleasing Leader
Self-Managing Organizations: The Next Wave?
Some forward-looking companies are now using self-managing principles to organize work with stellar results for both people and profits. Up to this point in history, we’ve organized work based on four very different worldviews: impulsive, conformist, achievement and pluralistic. This … [Read more...] about Self-Managing Organizations: The Next Wave?
Creative Insights Boost Performance
Leaders may inadvertently suppress their people’s creative insights. While bragging about their innovative, out-of-the-box thinking, these bosses may fail to notice that company systems discourage creativity. This ingrained, often invisible problem has an adverse side effect: It can diminish … [Read more...] about Creative Insights Boost Performance
The Creative Power of Questions
Asking creative questions can change everything. A big, beautiful question can generate ideas, inspire action, influence engagement and participation, as well as solve problems and spark creative genius. Provocative questions can answer most conundrums of life and work. Einstein allegedly said … [Read more...] about The Creative Power of Questions
Toxic Leadership: A New Look at Solutions
“Toxic leaders cast their spell broadly. Most of us claim we abhor them. Yet we frequently follow — or at least tolerate — them.” ~ Jean Lipman-Blumen, The Allure of Toxic Leaders (Oxford University Press, 2004) Much has been written about toxic leaders with psychopathic traits and narcissistic … [Read more...] about Toxic Leadership: A New Look at Solutions
Accountability Essentials
Is accountability becoming even more important in 21st Century business? In an age of ubiquitous social media and cell-phone videos, Big Brother’s watchful eyes seem to loom large. Rudeness, politically incorrect slips of the tongue and outrageous conduct are digitally captured and immediately … [Read more...] about Accountability Essentials
Rekindle Your Creative Thinking
Creativity is something you practice, not just a talent you’re born with. ~ Tom Kelley and David Kelley, IDEO According to a global IBM survey of chief executives, creativity is the most sought-after trait in leaders today. Without continual breakthroughs, Facebook, Google, Apple, Procter & … [Read more...] about Rekindle Your Creative Thinking
Why Do Leaders Deceive Themselves?
The secret of rulership is to combine a belief in one's own infallibility with the power to learn from past mistakes. ~ George Orwell As much as we’d like to believe that we’re rational human beings, we can all too easily mislead ourselves. Self-deception is a process that encourages us to justify … [Read more...] about Why Do Leaders Deceive Themselves?
The Business Case for Empathy
“The problem with business today isn’t a lack of innovation; it’s a lack of empathy.” ~ Stanford Professor Dev Patnaik, author of Wired to Care In an uncertain economy, empathy may seem like a soft business skill. It can, however, serve as a catalyst for new growth, innovation and employee … [Read more...] about The Business Case for Empathy