Leaders have to be empathetic, and unfortunately there is not a metric on empathy which makes it elusive and often ignored. That is until the feedback comes by key people leaving or they do not care about me/us. Empathy can be developed, and here are three things any leader can do to develop it. Great conversations start with a question, and empathy requires some great conversations.
Time has replaced money as the number one excuse from leaders for not developing their people. Here are three tips for making it happen if it truly is a priority, and one tip includes a lesson I learned parenting teenagers to help shift the conversation from excuses to reasons. I believe Learning + Doing = Growth, and here are some thoughts and resources for making that happen for you and your people around leadership and individual development.
The entrepreneurial mindset is coveted by organizations today, and is the only reason that small organizations grow through all the barriers to success. Another way to phrase it (thanks to the research of Carol Dweck) is growth mindset. What does it look like and do you have it?
Leadership is about change management. Here is a story about a coach of a football program rich with tradition, and he was not successful. It had nothing to do with him being a good coach, because he has proven he is a great coach – in the right situations. Getting the most out of your talent and leading effectively is about people-centered leadership. In transition, this is even more important, and here are 4 questions to ask and a proven process for navigating that change.
Colin Powell shared some leadership lessons with me recently and here is one I took away – sometimes as leaders we need to be a buffer. Being a buffer could be protecting your ‘turf’ and it has a possibility to be so much more. It can have huge benefits to your organization if you do it well. It is the leaders job to be a buffer, and here are 3 tips to make it a way to build a healthier organization.
If you want to go fast, go Alone. If you want to go FAR, go together. All leaders, teams, and organizations will hit the ceiling if they Go Alone. It happens, and moving past it is part attitude and part practice. The entrepreneurial operating system (EOS) is a tool I use to help leaders/teams do that, and here are some key steps to starting the journey. Call it team building and leadership development using your business as the classroom.
My goal is to equip leaders to lead more effectively, and development plans are a key part of leadership and general talent development. Here is a LinkedIn article i just published and one other worksheet you might find helpful.
The passion of the artist. Where does it fit in the performance equation and how do we find it? Here is the where, and a little bit of the how, but the how is a much bigger conversation. Here are four beliefs about passion and a few tips to shift your perspective about how to seek it.
What if we asked more questions? You might be thinking that you do ask more questions, at least compared to the people around you. Here is some research on kids that I believe applies to adults. Do you really think the graph starts going back up AFTER the age of 18? It comes down to being aware of how our EGO gets in the way and committing to asking GREAT questions vs GOOD questions.
Is a performance conversation you are having with your own leader, peer, or direct report laced with adjectives and/or emotions? Too often they are, and it clouds the real issues that need to be talked about. Here are some tips for creating a culture that supports performance – whether you are a leader or someone being led.
What was your first leadership lesson? Mine happened when I was 19 and learning how to operate a jackhammer. Here is what I learned, and how it frames my work as a leader, a coach, and even a father. Some thoughts, and a question for you: What are you challenged with today that you have to learn to let the jackhammer do the work? Great conversations start with a question. Lead well and go have one.
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 . . .