Recovering Leader

Leadership and Expectations: Avoiding Self-determined Outcomes

It’s human nature, whether conscious or not, to plan for what we think may be an emotionally-charged or challenging situation. In fact, we tend to plan out our role—even create a story to follow, so as not to get caught off guard. This is often automatic pilot thinking … not something we are aware we are setting up for ourselves... Read more →

Monday’s LeaderTip: Perfectionism / Procrastination

Many leaders hold themselves and others to high standards. While certainly positive, taking such standards too far results in perfectionism. Because perfection is highly improbable at best, adopting it as an ongoing expectation -- especially when it's done unconsciously -- tends to damage motivation. Since most of us can't meet or even approach it, paralysis can set in -- we’ll... Read more →

Einstein Quote on Problem Solving

"We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them." - Albert Einstein Read more →

Measuring Success / Failure in Iraq ... One No-bid Contract at a Time?

Is it really all about the Oil? I wonder... My op-ed piece in the Christian Science Monitor prompted some response. Recently, I heard from this person, who said, among other things: "...Let's just hypothetically say that the actual yardstick of success our President is using to measure success in Iraq is the secure, profitable, and steady flow of oil into... Read more →

Americans Need to Get Better at Assessing Leadership

All voting Americans and our representatives are responsible to evaluate leaders-we hire them, we fire them, and through our individual actions and inaction, we reject or endorse their performance. It's the beginning of what could prove to be a very long election cycle. The airwaves are already full of pundits and politicians, rhetoric, and 'on-message' answers to questions. Voters and... Read more →

Monday’s LeaderTip: Questions Contain Answers

When facing a truly difficult situation, important questions naturally arise. If we identify and reflect on them, they can be a goldmine of information, shedding new light on what’s holding you back -- and what to do about it. When confronting a tough problem, make a list of the most significant questions to you—and put it aside for a while.... Read more →

Look for the Similarities, Not the Differences

When I'm working with a leader, I like to notice how he or she evaluates a situation, particularly a dysfunctional or non-productive one. When things aren't going well, we tend to notice how we, our views, or our approaches are different than those of others. In doing this, whether consciously or not, we separate--even distance ourselves not only from other... Read more →

Recovering Leader ... A Word from Our Sponsor

Ever since my op-ed piece in the CS Monitor, I've noticed that more web traffic is going here, to the blog, than to my company's site. So in case any of you visitors are interested in what we can do for you, I thought I would pin a virtual brochure up here. Download leadership_unleashed_2007_brochure.pdf Take one -- they're free... David... Read more →

Monday’s LeaderTip: Challenge Your Patterns

Familiar beliefs and behaviors that once produced great results can, if left unchecked, interfere with your own ability to lead. As circumstances change, even highly effective leaders can undermine themselves and others by blindly sticking with what's worked in the past. To avoid this trap – and stay in step with the present – solicit candid feedback from others and... Read more →

Fighting the 'Telling' Epidemic

Whether we present ourselves as experts, or others cast us in that role, leaders and mentors alike need to fight the expectation to "tell" with a willingness to "ask." This came up today because I was talking to a smart 30-something business dude who's interested in working in leadership development. He's canvassed several capital "B" brilliant authors and capital "S"... Read more →

Leadership and Iraq: Christian Science Monitor Publishes Op-Ed Piece

I wanted to extend my personal thanks to Joshua Burek, Opinion Page Editor, and the Christian Science Monitor for publishing my op-ed piece on Iraq (Why President Bush Needs a Yardstick for Failure In Iraq). Although I do not affiliate myself or my company with any particular religion or denomination, I consider the publication of this piece to be a... Read more →

Want More Effective Results? Leaders: Look in the Mirror

"How can I make my business more effective, and get better results?" It's a reasonable question an executive will ask me. I suggest you first look in the mirror because your organization, its people, and its results are a reflection of the leader. "Okay Dr. Phil -- so what am I looking for?" Dr. Phil has left the building, so... Read more →

Lessons from Executives: Coach Your Frenetic Boss

Here's some usable news for all executives and aspiring leaders reporting to a boss with a short attention span: coach them. According to a recent book by Edward M. Hallowell, psychiatrist and author of "CrazyBusy: Overstretched, Overbooked and About to Snap," many are too busy with details to focus on the more important big picture. This means that the CEO... Read more →

Monday's LeaderTip: Conflict-Friendly Leadership

A leader who supports constructive conflict creates an effective environment for sustainable innovation. A culture that goes overboard on consensus and feeling good together can be symptomatic of avoided candor, garbling communication and hindering teamwork. The leader sets the tone -- giving "permission" for vigorous debate by promoting frank and open discussion. Reasonable disagreement followed by resolution tends to yield... Read more →