Self awareness

Universal truths: Leadership, Parenting . . . and conflict

Professional development and talent management is often focused on the skills we need at work. Many of those same skills apply to our lifes/roles outside of work. I was reminded of that recently when I went to a parenting seminar and learned something that most leaders need to know – managing conflict and teaching your children to do it well.

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Leadership: The Power (And Trap) Of Non-Verbals

Leaders need to understand non-verbals, and they need to be comfortable and competent in using that information to have a richer conversation. The Birkman method is one reminder/tool I use to help leaders see that what is happening on the outside is not necessarily what is happening on the inside.

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Who Wants to be CEO?

Succession management, development plans, performance evaluations all have a key ingredient. Asking people what they think. Getting your talent engaged in charting their own career course and owning their personal development is key.

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My Top Shelf – Books that I love

Everyone has a list of books that are favorites. Here is my list that encompasses leadership development, individual development, self-awareness, friendship, and making a choice to make a difference. Talent management for each of us is about chosing to continue to learn and to know what our foundation of talent, passions, and the rewards that mean the most to us.

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Leader/Manager as Culture Builder

Managing Right For The First Time is a book for new and experienced managers to think about what they do and learn how to do the basics right. Building culture is a key task of a leader, and everything they do impacts it. However, there are some big things they could be doing that will make a substantial difference in the culture they create. This is part of a series of posts around a book by David Baker. Culture is a critical piece in the talent development for any team or organization, and it starts with performance management.

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A tool to help leaders listen

What does effective leadership look like when you meet one on one with your people? What does good followership look like, and how do you ask the right questions of your leader and share with them what you need so they can lead? Talent management is about great conversations, and here is a template to make that happen.

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How long do you listen?

Listening is not the lost skill of leadership, but it tends to take a back seat to getting work done when things are moving fast. A recent speech by a brain expert reminded me how little listening doctors do in the course of diagnosing certain medical conditions. Leadership and getting most out of the talent of a team (talent management) is, in part, about listening.

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Failure (continuing a thought from Seth Godin)

Failure is an important part of leadership and followership. Striving to be our best does not mean always being right. Seth Godin planted the seed for this post, and I reflect on how certain leaders show they are special by how they process failure openly. Leadership development, self awareness, and building a great culture require a healthy attitude towards failure.

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Quick trU Tips: 4 Destructive Myths

Here is a quick learning activity for a leadership team. Tony Schwartz talked about myths that live in organizations that are destructive. Leadership development is about awareness first, and these points help leaders examine some myths that might be getting in their way. Use this at your next leadership team meeting, or around an examination of talent management.

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Leadership Development Starts – BEFORE you lead

David Baker wrote a book to help new managers make their transition successful. As I read Managing Right For The First Time in preparation for writing a review, I will share things that make me go Hmmmm. Some thoughts are around leadership development, while some are just about self awareness or individual development. This is about starting your development before you lead.

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