leadership development resources

The talent shortage – and 4 tips for what you can do today

Is there a talent shortage? Yes. The numbers all point to a tightening labor market. When I do an occassional project in this space here is what I see. Remember, the goal of a good search is to look more attractive as an employer than the other companies that are looking. Here are some tips . . .

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Never Start With Do

Leadership development is about honest conversations, that lead to thoughtful actions, and improved performance. It rarely starts with the DO of practice, but the DO of observation. Here is what I mean by that.

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When we don’t react, and Listen

Great conversations start with a question. Leadership development is about learning to listen and then react, and to act out of an understanding of most of the variables in the situation so that the decision is the best one for your people and the organization. That is what I believe, and this is a piece of how to DO that has a leader. This is also a foundation for talent management.

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Just Add Joy – Just ask Rich Sheridan

Building a culture and developing leaders are two big conversations. A new book by Rich Sheridan does a great job telling one story and helping people understand where they should start. Great conversations start with a question – and the best conversations are honest, lead to thoughful actions, and ultimately improve performance. Rich Sheridan has a great story and I recommend it to leaders who want to build a better culture.

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4 Words That Frame the Succession Conversation, 2 Tips to Reframe it

Succession planning is an important conversation, and a difficult one. Here are two tips for making it easier, and some feedback from a recent keynote topic I did on the topic. Talent management is about having great conversations. Great is about having honest conversations, leading to thoughtful actions, and improved performance.

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4 Fallacies of Networking

Networking is an important part of professional development, and it is also a key for making a successful career transition. It is also something that takes time, and too often people don’t start soon enough. Here are four fallacies of networking that have developed from over a decade of working with people in career transitions and training people around the importance of building relationships. Relationships are a cornerstone of professional development.

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People Habits before People Skills – Johari Window

It is great to have a goal of Fierce or Crucial Conversations – but while the skills are critical for leaders, the success of implementing this work rests largely on your ability to create the time to practice them and get better. The one-on-one is a critical place for this work, and here are some Johari Window videos that will help you look differently at this time. Talent management is about great conversations – and great conversations are honest, result in thoughtful actions, and ultimately lead to improved performance.

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Tough Conversations

Leadership is about having honest conversations. The skill of being able to handle difficult conversations (conflict, differing opinions, accountability) is one of the most critical skills for a leader. Fierce Conversations and Crucial Conversations are great books, and here is another offering – a video by Ash Beckham. Talent management is about great conversations, this will help you have more of them.

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Lots of Reasons, No Excuses

Talent management is about great conversations. One aspect of a great conversation is Lots of Reasons, and no excuses. This is a leadership tool that will transform how you listen and how you lead. When you do it well, accountability and safety follows.

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Leadership – The biggest choice you will have to make

What is leadership? Not what others tell you, but what do you believe LEADERSHIP IS? What are you doing to get there? Talent management is about great conversations, and a key conversation is the one you have with yourself that is started by this question. I believe that one on ones are critical habits for leaders, and it is based on what I believe leadership is. I would love to hear your input on this.

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#joymatters

Joy by Rich Sheridan chronicles the forming of a company and how a culture focused on Joy was created. Menlo Innovations is not perfect, but they are intentionally trying to do things differently. I loved this book, because I believe talent management is done through Great Conversations, and Rich gives us all a glimpse on how that has worked at Menlo. It is a good read, and any leader or entrepreneur should read it.

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Leaders and One On Ones – Know your voice

Leaders have to be adaptable – not only in the changes around them but in how they vary their natural style when leading their people. Talent management is about great conversations, and one of the most critical conversations is the One on One. Here are some tips to help leaders be more effective in understanding what their people need and to meet those needs. Here is also a template for a one on one form that incorporates some of these key tips.

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