Recovering Leader

Leadership Update: What's next for Sarbanes-Oxley (aka "Sox")?

In 2002 Congress passed legislation that they themselves didn't seem to read before signing (...wait, does this sound familiar? Can you say Patriot Act?) Many believe "Sox" was a knee-jerk reaction to Enron and other corporate scandals of the time. It was intended perhaps as a way for Congress to say they did something about the smarmy shenanigans of the... Read more →

Monday’s LeaderTip: Shifting Your Viewpoint

When at odds with a given point of view, it’s important to pull back and reassess the situation from the opposing perspective. Without making such an effort, dead ends and lost opportunities follow. Seeing a situation through the eyes of another and learning what they are up against can replace frustration with healthy debate. In fact, by detaching from your... Read more →

Mistakes in Delegation: Look in the Mirror

Many mistakes in delegation can be tracked back to your own fears or desires. Sound unusually zen-like? Bear with me here... First, eliminate any possibility that your reluctance or issues with delegation are simply an accurate response to a team that needs work. Let's take a hypothetical executive working for you. Let's assume that: 1. She is capable 2. She... Read more →

Creative Upward Delegation

At times it's necessary to delegate upward effectively, particularly when you've done your part, and need your boss to take the next step on your project or business. Case Study: Jean, an executive at a marketing consulting firm, was assigned a high-profile project with both creative and business aspects to it. She completed her part of the work on time... Read more →

Mechanics of Delegation

At times clients with highly directive management styles ask what, specifically, they need to do to delegate more effectively. It's an apt question, particularly for those operating under the belief that they will save time by telling their people both what to do and how to do it. After all, most leaders have had to do some form of the... Read more →

Delegation Week at Recovering Leader

It's delegation week here at the Recovering Leader, and you invited to add perspective and comments on everything related to delegating work to others, a key, yet often misunderstood, leadership skill. David Peck Read more →

"Know Your Hire" Article Published in HR Executive Magazine

Know Your Hire The need to swiftly, economically and accurately evaluate job candidates is growing as global competition soars. by David Peck Download know_your_hire_hr_executive_magazine_11172006.pdf Read more →

Monday’s LeaderTip: Breaking a Pattern

Even experienced leaders find themselves coasting sometimes—meeting demands without making significant progress. At such times, ask yourself if this is a healthy breather—or an unwanted pattern of inaction. When it's the latter, consider the possibility you may, without realizing it, be gaining something simply by maintaining the status quo—even if it’s just the comfort of familiarity. It's important to notice... Read more →

Monday’s LeaderTip: Leadership and Fun

To leaders expecting the best from their people, fun on the job isn't a luxury—it's a necessity. Leaders who believe work can't or shouldn't be enjoyable create a culture of indifference and stress. Who wants that day in and day out? When playfulness is encouraged, not only do people look forward to coming to work, but new energy and enthusiasm... Read more →

Leadership and Riding the Curve Ball

I get together every few months with a former co-worker, a leader of the firm where we both worked at the time. He is always dealing with really challenging problems around his health and the health of his family -- serious medical issues that come one after another, affecting multiple people at the same time. Last time we met, he... Read more →

Avoid The Risks of Negligent Hiring by Asking Better Reference Checking Questions

The current feature article on Workforce Management is called “The Foley Factor: The Risks of Negligent Hiring” in which the author, Gina Ruiz, writes that, “In many cases, interviewers are keenly aware of the discrimination charges that may occur if they ask certain questions, but are unaware of the negligent hiring claims that may arise if they fail to pursue... Read more →

Candor and Leadership: The Truth Works

Candor is missing in many organizations. The absence of directness undermines organizational effectiveness, one relationship at a time. What prevents so many, with so much to gain, from developing working environments where complete candor is a high priority? HARD WORK: Honesty takes a lot of effort -- it's harder to tell the truth, particularly when it's awkward or uncomfortable. FEAR:... Read more →

Vote Today!

Every vote is an act of leadership. We at the Recovering Leader applaud everyone who makes time today (or by absentee / early voting) to cast a vote. Yet with all of the negative campaigning, opponent-bashing, and mis/disinformation, it can be difficult to make thoughtful choices. If you haven't already voted, or are still ruminating about who/what you may choose,... Read more →

Monday's LeaderTip: Words and Actions

Leaders inspire loyalty and integrity among others when their actions match their words. Without such congruence, skepticism and distrust interfere with overall morale and effectiveness, which can cause problems with attraction and retention of top talent. While it is unreasonable to expect perfect congruence between word and action 100% of the time, it is important to recognize when you need... Read more →

Rev. Haggard: Leadership and Congruence

I was fascinated by the robust news coverage of Rev. Ted Haggard, the Crystal-Meth-buying / gay-prostitute-hiring evangelical leader, and that worries me. As dining on the ashes of garden-variety human frailty is a waste of my time, I woke up today and reminded myself not to confuse the grim spectacle/story of the teacher with the lesson to be learned. As... Read more →