Intuitively, the picture resonates. We’ve all had the petty-tyrant boss; the person who loves the sound of their own voice and is oblivious to the resentment and de-motivation they’re engendering. And most of us can relate to the manager who loves to roll up his sleeves and jump in on the line. But don’t…
WHAT motivates people to lead others; to take on the role of organizational leader, whether in corporate, non-profit, government, military, sports, or a myriad of other organizational settings? Enjoyment? Money? Power? Prestige? Because no one else can? I’m sure for most it’s a combination of many factors, and equally sure that reasons vary from leader…
TAKING the lead – initiating – is key. Don’t worry too much about trying to influence others to follow. Whether others follow your lead should be less about your influence, and more about their choice. Leadership, taking initiative, can come from anybody. It should come from everybody. In the best teams it does. The choice…
EXPERTISE is one of the four essential attributes of good leadership. It is rare to find a good organizational leader who has not built up a wealth of knowledge and skills within his or her industry that is directly relevant to the organization, as well as considerable “general knowledge” and a suite of transferable skills….
“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” John Quincy Adams
A definition of Organizational Culture distilled from several dictionaries would run something like this: The sum of the ideas, knowledge, beliefs, values and behaviors characteristic of and displayed by the members of a particular organization or group. Of the five drivers of culture mentioned above, “values” is the foundation, and “behavior” the visible manifestation. Any…
You think for yourself, you initiate and pursue values, you’re good with people, you’re always trying to learn more, and you’re passionate and committed to everything you decide to do. You inspire people by your example. You don’t have a leadership title and you don’t have formal followers. Are you a leader? I would argue…
THE term “leader” is ambiguous. You could use the word to refer to Steve Jobs, Adolf Hitler, the Pope, Jack Walsh, Henry VIII, Albert Einstein or Helen Keller, and in each case be referring to something very different. There are titled “leaders” (CEOs, managers, supervisors, coaches, generals, etc.) with good leadership skills, and there are…
A day ago I posted a clip from Glengarry Glen Ross, and promised to comment on the “leadership skills” displayed therein. The rudeness and ad hominem attacks are terrible, and are almost always out of place and self-defeating. The “wake-up call” nature of the address though, is sometimes justified. Every management manual will tell you…
