Recovering Leader

Monday’s LeaderTip: When to Manage

Leaders guide people, resources and strategies toward their vision of tomorrow. Managers focus on the tactical / practical realities of today. At times a leader must act as a manager, and it's vital to have standards that tell you when such a time has come—and when it has passed. Without specific guidelines, you risk either being too hands-on, or too... Read more →

Check it out! Inside CRM's 'Managers Cheat Sheet'

Take a look at this cool post 'Manager's Cheat Sheet." There are no coincidences! ... It came at a time when I'm wrestling with the title of my just-finished book of 96 Leadership reflections/suggestions that fall into five categories. I'm getting focus group feedback as I write this, with votes divided between something like "96 suggestions for leaders" and also... Read more →

What is Leadership? The results are in …

Last month I posted the question on the blog for you, the readers, to answer: what is leadership? I asked you to come up with your own ending to the sentence: “Leadership is…” And you did – and it was magnificent. I received 20 responses from all over the country that covered 47 different areas of leadership, which I summarized... Read more →

Monday’s LeaderTip: Open Mind

Effective leaders ask great questions, unencumbered by any need to present themselves as experts. Many—particularly people new to management—wrongly believe that their role is to have the answers and appear authoritative. However, the less you think you know, the deeper your potential for creative solutions. A leader who understands that ongoing progress requires continuous learning, and that learning begins with... Read more →

Monday’s LeaderTip: Developing Future Leaders

Identifying and grooming potential leaders is critical for organizational effectiveness and continuity at the top. Baby boomers are retiring in massive numbers, and we are facing a potential leadership talent drain of 30% or more through 2012. Great organizations get ahead of this curve by getting their leadership—and even outside help—to groom, coach, and mentor potential leaders. Those who don't... Read more →

Monday’s LeaderTip: Community

The members of a true community share the vision: “I will watch out for you.” A leader who takes responsibility for participating in a significant way in their community enriches prospects for the long haul. Yet in the rapid march to our goals, it’s easy to overlook or put off until tomorrow the needs of the people and issues just... Read more →

Talent Management Magazine Article

Thanks to Talent Management magazine for publishing my article in their August issue, originally titled "Leadership Development in Large Organizations: A Time for Change", which they retitled: "Leadership Development Through Self-Awareness." Other than the title change, I regret they did not include the following section, which should go directly above the "Factors Leading to the Demand for Self-Awareness" subhead, at... Read more →

The Harry Potter of Leadership: Part 1

Watching Lord Voldemort, also known as U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney, being interviewed by Larry King yesterday, I felt my life force being sucked out of my body as if I was being kissed by a Dementor. I realized it's better if you keep your mouth shut, and don't gaze directly into his eyes. (Kevlar under your robes don't hurt... Read more →