Leadership Series: Debate
Leadership Series: Debate In our most recent Leadership Series post we spoke about the importance of conflict; and today, we’ll talk about the importance of a related but unique interaction necessary for organizational/team success—debate. Oftentimes it’s said of good leaders that they’re decision makers—and this may well be true in certain cases. But decision making leaders often leave something behind. The knowledge, ideas and intelligence of everyone else. Liz Wiseman, in her best seller, Multipliers, teaches us how to make sure we’re seeking fact based, well thought through...
Read MoreLeadership Series: Conflict
Leadership Series: Conflict Conflict. A word feared by many and a topic avoided by most everyone. But should it be that way? The answer is: NO In fact, conflict is essential to drive results. Now, we’re not talking about yelling at your co-workers or bashing people–but healthy conflict. The kind that is based on trust, engenders commitment and accountability and leads to action. Have you ever heard the saying, “if we both see things the same way, one of us isn’t necessary”? Patrick Lencioni, author of The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, provides an excellent model...
Read MoreLeadership Series: Conversation
Leadership Series: Conversation You’re heading to an important business event with industry experts and thought-leaders primed as the keynotes. Speaking starts at 8pm but the networking mixer begins at 7pm. So what do you do? In most cases, the average leader would justify his/her way out of thinking it necessary and show up at 8pm for the speakers. But why? Maybe because you’re busy, but we all know that making great connections is essential for success. How about because it’s uncomfortable? Tiring? Or perhaps you think you just don’t have much to say. Well then, you’re in the...
Read MoreLeadership Series: Mentors
Leadership Series: Mentors Behind every successful leader is a great mentor. Think about it—Bruce Wayne (Batman) had Alfred, Luke Skywalker had Obi-Wan Kenobi (who had Qui-Gon, who had Count Dooku, who had Yoda…sorry, nerded out there…), Martin Luther King Jr. had Benjamin Mays, Warren Buffett had Benjamin Graham and Shaquille O’Neil had John Brown. Do you have mentors? That’s what we’ll discuss in the section of our Leadership Series—the how and why of acquiring and learning from different mentors. This content is inspired by a recent issue of Success magazine. First off,...
Read MoreLeadership Series: Networking
Leadership Series: Networking Have you ever heard the saying, “It’s not what you know but who you know?” That could not be more true than when it comes to leadership. Behind every great person, are many great people. Today we’ll discuss briefly what David Bradford, former Chief Executive at Fision-io and Chairman of HireVue, calls his six “Up” principles of networking/relationship building in his book Up Your Game. Start Up – This is perhaps the hardest part–getting out of your comfort zone to meet people who can make a difference! If...
Read MoreLeadership Series: Being a Multiplier
Leadership Series: Being a Multiplier Have you ever met or worked with someone that made you feel smarter, better and like you could do anything? We all have. In some cases it’s a family member, a friend, a co-worker or a boss. Liz Wiseman, former executive at Oracle Corporation and talent researcher calls these people Multipliers. Here is a great quote from her Wall Street Journal bestseller, Multipliers, defining the term and introducing its counterpart, the Diminisher: “ We’ve all had experience with two dramatically different types of leaders. The first type drains...
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