Have you ever encountered a “watch me swim” leader? This is the person who insists on letting you know about every accomplishment they’ve achieved, no matter how small or insignificant. The attitude is very similar to the child splashing around the swimming pool, desperate for the grown-ups to notice their aquatic abilities. For children in…
Five Ways “I’m So Busy” Undermines Your Leadership Credibility
In a world that has attached a strange nobility to the notion of being busy, effective leaders stand out by avoiding the “I’m so busy” trap. One of the most effective leaders I’ve ever known was highly productive, and yet operated at a pace that was somehow both urgent and yet unhurried. This leader had…
5 Leadership Traits from King Wenceslas That Matter This Christmas, and Beyond
A leader must be as relentlessly protective of their people as they are zealously focused on their goal. And as the Christmas season is upon us, you can find a vivid picture of how these two vital leadership principles can be intertwined by looking at one of the time-honored carols of the season. In Good King Wenceslas you…
Halloween Alert: 5 Costumes That Mislead in Leadership
October 31st is Halloween in many parts of the world. Of all the costumes you might see this Halloween, those of the Inauthentic Leader might be the most common, at least in leadership circles. And if you are wearing these fake costumes, you are not leading at your best. Think of it this way. Comedian…
Is Your Change Strategy Doomed by a Common Leadership Flaw?
To introduce significant change, leaders must know when and how to cash in their “change chips”. Leaders possess a certain number of ‘change chips’, made up of credibility, respect, authority, good will and other essential leadership ingredients. You pick up change chips every time you keep your word, share credit with the team, achieve a key…
