I recently hired a new leader for a regional area of our large sales type organization. During our initial meeting he and I discussed my expectations, talked about the vision for the organization, my leadership philosphy, and near term goals for his area. I also provided him with a concise list of the top five things he could do to get off to a good start with his subordinate leaders: Be clear...
In this 2009 TED Conference presentation Daniel Pink examines motivation, starting with a fact that social scientists know but most leaders don’t: Traditional rewards aren’t always as effective as we think.
I grew up in a time when church frequently included special gospel meetings that featured a guest preacher imploring nightly over the course of a week to get right and reap the rewards of heaven or certainly go to hell. We were encouraged to invite our friends and neighbors where every night the message and volume would escalate until a satisfactory number had responded to avoid the punishment of...
Leadership is the capacity to influence others through inspiration, motivated by a passion, generated by a vision, produced by a conviction, and ignited by a purpose.
As defined at a Diversity Champions Workshop by Guardian Quest
“Being a professional is doing the things you love on the days you don’t feel like doing them.” “If you don’t do what’s best for your body, you’re the one who comes up on the short end.” “The key to success is to keep growing in all areas of life – mental, emotional, spiritual, as well as physical.” “To be great we need to win games we aren’t supposed to win.”...
Opportunity to succeed (43%) The good life (37%) The pursuit of happiness (34%) The American dream (22%) A fair shake (17%) To be left alone (13%) A fresh start (9%) Everything I can get (9%) A fighting chance (8%) A new beginning (8%) The American dream has been dropping on the list because young people don’t think they will ever achieve it. Wanting the good life has moved up in its place...
Communicate. Clearly let others know what you and they can expect Listen. Listen more than you talk Follow-through. Keep your promises and expectations Own-up. When you or a subordinate fall short take personal accountability Trust. You have to trust others for them to trust you Respect. Respect others regardless of their position WYSIWYG. Be a what you see is what you get person Loyalty...
There comes a point in everyone’s life when they determine the veracity of their character. Some may think they know, but not until pressed by hardship, fear or heartache will they really know. All other times are spent in preparation. When the moment of trial comes will you be irrelevant, expendable, a fighter, or a warrior? “Out of every 100 men, ten shouldn’t even be...
Go APE for your teamates [bosses, peers, subordinates]: A – Acknowledgement. Make a big deal out of everything your teammates do good. They love acknowledgement. Show excitement, say their name, acknowledge even when you are the one who rightfully should be acknowledged. P – Praise. You want to attack your teammates. Don’t just say nice things, attack, make a big deal about...
The manager administers, the leader innovates The manager maintains, the leader develops The manager relies on systems, the leader relies on people The manager counts on controls, the leader counts on trust The manager does things right, the leader does the right thing – Fortune Magazine There is some debate about the attributes of leaders and those of managers. Some interchange the titles...