“I never really liked people a whole lot.” That wasn’t the answer I expected. It was the afternoon of Day 1 of a two-day leadership retreat for the senior finance team of a manufacturing company. We were discussing how our beliefs influence our behavior, and I wanted to illustrate how beliefs can change over time. … Read more
When I work with groups of leaders, I sometimes ask a simple question: “How many of you appreciate getting the big picture up front?” Nearly every hand goes up. Then I ask the follow-up question: “How many of you consistently give the big picture up front when you communicate?” The raised hands all suddenly disappear. … Read more
Leaders often solve problems to save time. A simple visible cue can help them ask better questions, clarify expectations and build more ownership. Most leaders know what good leadership looks like. Ask more questions. Set clearer expectations. Give feedback sooner. Let people think before jumping in with the answer. Then the day starts. A team … Read more
Somewhere between Zealand Falls and Galehead Hut, I realized that looking too far ahead was not helping me move faster. It was making me less safe. The trail demanded something more immediate. One wet rock. One root. One ledge. One careful shift of weight at a time. That is also how leadership works in periods … Read more
One of the fastest ways to lose credibility and trust as a leader isn’t through incompetence, arrogance, or bad strategy. It’s through vague communication. For the most part, leaders aren’t trying to be unclear. They mean well. In fact, they believe they’re communicating effectively. I was recently coaching a senior executive, let’s call him Dan. … Read more
Spend enough time around leaders and you’ll hear a familiar phrase: “My job is to hold my people accountable.” The phrase is often uttered with a high degree of certainty. “Holding my people accountable” is one of those phrases that sounds right, feels important, and shows up in just about every leadership conversation. But if … Read more
Over two thousand years ago, Publilius Syrus was referencing leadership when he wrote, “Anyone can hold the helm when the sea is calm.” Calm is not the first word that comes to mind to describe 2020. By all measures, this year has been an ocean of commotion. As the wave of one crisis crashes into the next, … Read more
Leadership isn’t about you shining; it’s about helping those you lead to shine. After all, if your success is based on the success of those you lead, it’s in everyone’s best interest for you to do whatever you can to help them excel. One of the most important roles we play as leaders is that … Read more
If it were you, which would you most prefer? No choice Someone else’s choice for me My choice The answer is obvious: In general, we prefer to make our own choices.There’s a freedom that comes from making our own choices. This is the heart of empowerment:the ability to be directly involved in our work. This … Read more
Barbara was in a panic. This struck her colleagues as particularly strange, since she was the most experienced of the group. A Senior Vice President with twenty years experience, Barbara had worked in six different countries and was one of the most respected senior leaders in the company. What was causing Barbara so much stress? … Read more
