Recovering Leader

Leadership Coaching for Americans: Vote Your Heart

With Rudolph Giuliani and John Edwards set to exit the presidential race, the 2008 election is taking shape. Whether you're a Democrat, Republican, Independent, or Other, I have one piece of advice: vote you heart. Let's start with "Vote." While it's tempting to dismiss all of the candidates as full of baloney, or imagine it's going to be more of... Read more →

Monday’s LeaderTip: Falling Down

Leaders who are also achievers tend to be tough on themselves. While high standards are admirable, many take them too far—being fearful, intolerant, or ashamed of making a mistake. In fact, just the prospect of falling down from an oversight or error can seem to some like a deadly plunge from a mile-high cliff. Yet it’s not a mile …... Read more →

Monday’s LeaderTip: Digging In

Circumstances often confront leaders with the unknown. Those who overvalue the appearance of knowing what they’re doing tend to respond with bluster or defensiveness. Over time, such reactions can prompt a leader to dig in to an uninformed position. Review the beliefs and decisions you guard most fiercely—look for signs that they may rest on shaky ground, or that you... Read more →

Leadership Head versus Heart: A Quick Insight

Many Sundays, I collaborate with my older/wiser/good friend Larry Crevin on the "LeaderTips" posted here and sent to leaders worldwide. My new book is also made up of them. Over the last few weeks, we've been have a series of great talks about the nature of hanging on to something, and the problems associated with letting go, when we know... Read more →

Monday’s LeaderTip: Letting Go

Leaders can sometimes hold on to something—or someone—for too long. Why? Often it’s the heart: We have a strong emotional investment in what’s familiar, or we fear the unknown consequences of pulling the plug. Rationally, though, we know these feelings don’t justify hanging on to what’s not working. Ask yourself, from time to time, if there are situations or people... Read more →

Leaders: Police Your Own Blind Spot

If you could see yourself exactly as others see you—even just for one moment— you would see things you would want to change. As a result, you would be a better leader, and better able to achieve your aims. Why? As described in previous posts (see Related Posts, below), we all have beliefs and behaviors that unintentionally interfere with our... Read more →

Monday’s LeaderTip: Belonging and Diversity

The drive to belong and feel a part of something larger than ourselves is fundamental to being human. In organizations, a sense of belonging leads to cohesion, innovation and achievement. It’s important to take a hard look at any factors that may be excluding, displacing, or alienating key people. Consider, for example, any gaps in diversity / inclusion of styles,... Read more →

Self-aware Leadership Watch: Media's Leadership Causing "Opinion Burnout"?

Under the leadership of our media is the TV intensifying the boob-factor of the public by simply overwhelming us with noise? Does that explain the new mantra of the absent majority: "What-EVER!"? Much ink has been spilled on the topic of why the American public seems apathetic when it comes to politics, elections, and the large issues facing / created... Read more →

Self-aware Leadership News Flash: Victory Speech—Obama Online Again

Obama’s bringin’ it. After the Democratic Iowa caucus votes were cast last night, and the numbers rolled in, something ignited / a pall was lifted for Candidate Barack Obama. His victory speech was electric. For the first time since very early in the race, he once again touched my heart as would a great leader. And I don’t mean his... Read more →