If a company is to be truly effective, the organizational chart should be upside down with the leader on the bottom. His or her role should really be to encourage, empower, and energize their team to perform at their best. In addition, they need to provide their staff with the proper resources, training, and coaching. … Read more
The news has covered many stories about CEOs and other members of the senior management team misbehaving in terms of lavish parties, exorbitant salaries, etc. When the economy tanked, other issues of exploiting executive privileges came to light as well. There were also a few executives who seemed to be unaware that bad practices were … Read more
Most definitions for catalyst describe a chemical reaction, but it also means “a person or thing that precipitates an event or change.” A leader not only has to suggest changes to move an organization forward, but also has to have a solid plan to not only execute these changes, but to communicate them effectively so … Read more
If you think about true leaders, whether they are in a big or small company, in a service or product industry, one key attribute they must possess is being bold. The leader does not have to be loud or overly demonstrative but must come across that they are the one who is directing their organization. … Read more
Before one can become a leader, it is imperative to be aware of one’s own self. Too many leaders are not aware of how they behave and then are surprised when their interactions and relationships with others are not as fruitful as they can be. In addition, the way these leaders perceive themselves under normal … Read more
Storytelling is a critical skill in the business world but it tends to be overlooked. No one ever puts on a position description “Must have excellent storytelling ability”, however, if you want to capture the attention of your audience either in a meeting, presentation, or speech, you need to be able to tell a story … Read more
Recently my alma mater changed the name of their Alumni Relations department to Alumni Engagement, which supposedly other universities are doing as well. I thought this was a good idea because engaging someone is very different from relating to someone. The major difference is that you may feel there are commonalities with you and someone … Read more
When I was growing up my mother always said to me “don’t brag”. She still to this day feels the same way to the point that she does not even like newsy Christmas letters because she feels the senders are bragging. In her eyes, brag is a bad four letter word. How then in the … Read more
It takes courage to be vulnerable especially in the workplace! It can be very difficult and stressful to be “seen” by others when faced with challenging issues. By exposing ourselves to others to voice our opinion, we open ourselves up to possible ridicule. HOWEVER more importantly it can open the door to innovation and willingness … Read more
We all have a past and with that we all have a story. In telling our narrative to others, some highlight accomplishments while others tend to focus on inconsequential things or even possibly negative ones. These stories do help explain who we are and how we come to certain conclusions on issues. As we continue … Read more