Archive for Leadership Articles
What leaders & managers must know to manage change
Problem solving is no longer sufficient. What we focus on expands so when we focus on solving problems as a way of managing change we actually get more problems.
Change happens so quickly that individuals & organizations can barely keep up. Leadership skills of planning, organizing, delegating are no longer sufficient in the knowledge based culture.
Leaders [...]
Leaders creates the very problems they want to avoid.
When power comes from above there is an increased possibility of employees experiencing harassment and bullying. A hierarchy is based on beliefs about POWER. The belief that power is held at the top is reinforced through family life, school, community and work. It espouses the beliefs that
• I’m the boss so it’s my job to fix [...]
The job of a leader is to connect her voice with her touch
“…most successful companies in the future would be those that aggressively hire, train, and promote women…transform the work place by expressing, not giving up, their personal values.
John Naisbitt and Patricia Auberdene
Reinventing the Corporation
Food for thought – These twins provide a great metaphor for the role of the leader. Touching another and connecting our touch with [...]
Dealing with stress, disappointment and failure among Senior Executives
The mind and behavior of senior executives is an instrument that guides your company – a very expensive item. When in difficulty senior executives need attention as do expensive pieces of equipment. The situation I’m about to describe is prevalent and preventative. If, as a leader, you have no time to deal with this then [...]
Assess your profile as a leader
This profile of a leader is based on leadership skills identified by senior leaders in automotive, aerospace and high-tech industries. It reflects the belief that the leader does what s/he wants others to follow. On a scale of 1 – 10 (10 high) how do you rate your own leadership skills?
1 VISION: I see [...]
How we manage failure
HOW WE MANAGE FAILURE
by Edward Deming, Detroit, June 1988
North American, companies tend to do the following:
rush in and take ten percent of the graduates; serves them right
increase technology
keep control of technology
encourage competition
allow failure without sharing the learning that resulted
encourage “just enough” involvement to discourage thinking
insist on annual performance ratings that kill motivation
ask people to [...]
The double-edged sword of success.
“The Industrial Model, achieved success by controlling people, managing information, obtaining the skills needed and getting people to do what was right – all to create a culture of effective administration. For a long time this was the best way to manage…much more is now needed.”
Gwen McCauley, Well Systems.
“What leader in his right mind [...]
The impact on people when a company is bought out, merged, downsized or rapidly expanded
EVIDENCE OF CHANGE
The company has officially been purchase.
New owners have established their presence.
The composition of the senior team has changed.
The new owners are American. There is a financial and cultural impace.
RESPONSE OF THE SENIOR TEAM
Any single loss or addition means a completely new team is forming.
The team finds itself redefining roles, reorganizing [...]
What is leadership anyway?
People are the next frontier in organizational growth and success. Organizations, concerned about the competencies of its leaders, may be measuring the wrong things.
In order to maximize the human dimension leaders first must understand their own motivations, fear, irritation and frustration and be in touch with their beliefs and values. When they understand themselves they [...]
Venture Capitalists - There is a flaw in the process
Research is complete in the start up company, product is great, venture capital obtained and the media has showcased the product, company and possibilities in the market. Scientific/technological experts in the field ARE the new management team. Offices, work-stations, equipment is in place, support staff hired. Excitement is palpable. Conversation about “product to market” is [...]