Passing the buck is the flavor of the day. The news cycle is filled with stories of powerful people blaming subordinates who somehow “let them down,” “did not measure up,” or were “disloyal and incompetent.” Leaders throw their team members under the bus as a show of strength, when doing so actually demonstrates quite the [...]
“Example is not the main thing in influencing others. It is the only thing.” — Albert Schweitzer, theologian, doctor, humanitarian, and more At any dog park, there’s normally an eclectic mix of dogs. There might be hyperactive puppies, calm older dogs, playful golden retrievers, expressive beagles, and intense bulldogs. If you observe for a while, [...]
We interact with hierarchies in nearly every aspect of our daily lives. The grocery store has a manager. The schools our children attend have principals. Companies have CEOs. Humans use hierarchy, and leadership structures, as a tool to impose order, delineate authority and provide a recognizable structure with which others may easily interact. The Delineation [...]
While some individuals might have the talent, skills, and persistence to perform exceptionally well, often it’s the work of their team that helps bring outstanding results. Think of the quarterback, lead singer, headline performer, top salesperson, or any individual able to operate within a given system to great personal advantage. Often these people receive repeated [...]
When a new leader takes over a team that lacks direction and focus, there are a few early steps that pave the way toward success. The most important of these are protocols around: Verbal communication In-person interactions Internal and external electronic communication Respect for time commitments Standards for professional behavior Expectations in regards to client [...]
Many people believe that building an amazing team is the end game or the highest purpose of leadership. While team building is certainly an important aspect of leadership, there’s another key element to consider, because teams can change as people come and go. Culture is what persists. Culture is far bigger than one person — [...]
“I’ve become absolutely convinced that the seminal difference between successful companies and mediocre or unsuccessful ones has little, if anything, to do with what they know or how smart they are. It has everything to do with how healthy they are.” — Patrick Lencioni, The Advantage – Why Organizational Health Trumps Everything Else in Business [...]
Just like a lighthouse shines to help sailors steer through dangerous waters, expectations help leaders effectively and efficiently steer team members through the challenges of everyday business. “People require guidelines, structure, vision and accountability to succeed… People need to know they matter to an organization and that what they do makes a difference.” — Steve [...]
When something in a workplace goes awry and frustration begins to build, there’s a distinct difference in how a leader handles the situation and how it is handled by a person who simply exercises positional authority. Getting to a Solution Means Moving Beyond Accusations When a boss begins making accusations, you can be assured that [...]
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