Recovering Leader

Attacks on Obama: Leadership and "Reversion to the Mean"

The attacks on Obama ("Not ready for the White House!" and "Celebrity!" and "Muslim!" and "No substance!" and "Elitist!") are mean-spirited, manipulative, and meant to scare us. Hey, fear works . . . Stalin, Hitler, and others have proven that over the years. We the people have been so snowed by fear-mongering, boogie-man politics ("Weapons of Mass Destruction!" and "The... Read more →

Monday’s LeaderTip: Stuck? Ask Different Questions

We all get stuck at times, and leaders are no exception. All too often our tendency to ask the same questions when facing the same circumstances is the silent culprit that keeps us from making progress. Consider asking new / different questions than you have so far, no matter how odd they may seem. While you’re at it, steer clear... Read more →

Monday’s LeaderTip: Ask The Ethics Question

Strong ethical standards are a key ingredient of great leadership. Yet too often the question of whether or not we are doing the right thing goes unasked, particularly during the daily tumult of competition, adaptation, and negotiation. Make it a practice to ask yourself and your people the often-forgotten question: is this the right thing to do? The answer is... Read more →

Monday’s LeaderTip: Develop a “Stop Standard”

Many leaders make good choices about investing in new projects and ideas. Yet it’s also critical to set up a measurement, preferably from the start, for when to stop investing resources in something. Lacking such a “stop standard,” you are influenced mainly by opinions and hopes—and your own stake in the game—which can lead to avoidable cost and frustration. Take... Read more →

Monday’s LeaderTip: Combining Responsibility and Authority

Successful delegation requires granting both responsibility and authority. Too often, the two are split—one person or team controls the resources, while another is held accountable for getting the job done. When there's a stumble, a leader's first impulse is to wonder why the two can't work together more effectively. Yet looking in the mirror is a better first move: it's... Read more →