Overdoing your Strengths – The Tale of Two CEOs
“When all you have in your hand is a hammer, everything starts to look like a nail.” Abraham Maslow Self-Inflicted Wounds The nub of the issue is this; human nature is instinctual, visceral and human organizations are thereby “instinctual institutions.” Many leaders unknowingly run their companies in ways that are instinctual, natural and comfortable for them. And pay a terrible price, for so doing. Of course, you should always try “do what you are”, except of course, when you shouldn’t. Two CEOs: Jimmy and Jenna Jimmy and Jenna are each CEOs of two young but...
Read MoreHow Great Leaders Manage Change
As a discipline, the management of organizational change has been in existence for more than 50 years; yet nearly three-quarters of all such endeavors fail miserably. Not only do companies fall well short of their financial targets, but untold psychological damage is done, both to those who lose their jobs, and those who don’t. Traditionally, the blame for all this has been laid at the door of employees. The presumption has been that the leaders “did the right things,” but that try as they might, managers couldn’t get the people to “do things right.” And it’s still widely...
Read MoreLeadership through Communication
Which of the following is the right thing to do? · Should you always tell people the truth, or only when it is expedient to do so? · Should you always keep people informed on their future, or should you only tell them when you think they need to know? · Should you keep your people in the loop, or should you keep them in the dark for as long as possible? As a leader, your answers reveal a great deal about your attitude towards communication. You can talk all day long about the need for transparency and openness, but unless you are willing to do it, no one...
Read MoreFinding the Balance in Self-Promotion
It’s been said that if you’re indispensable, then you can’t get promoted. While there’s some truth to that, promoting yourself too much can also backfire. You have to find a balance. It must be handled in the right way. No one likes someone who is in love with him- / herself. Psychologists call that narcissism. We all have something of a bent in this direction, but some people stand out as being more inclined in this way than others. Those who are like this don’t get promoted because they lack the diplomatic skills that are needed with additional responsibility. If you’re...
Read MoreLeadership through Communication
Which of the following is the right thing to do? Should you always tell people the truth, or only when it is expedient to do so? Should you always keep people informed on their future, or should you only tell them when you think they need to know? Should you keep your people in the loop, or should you keep them in the dark for as long as possible? As a leader, your answers reveal a great deal about your attitude towards communication. You can talk all day long about the need for transparency and openness, but unless you are willing to do it, no one else will either. To look at this another...
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