Tag: character traits
Effective Leadership Tools – Promoting Team Dynamics
In the world of contemporary business management and leadership training, the phrases “group dynamics” and “team dynamics” have essentially become interchangeable. Yet, there is a difference between the two – an important difference – that can lead to failure of your team if you fail to recognize it. Group Dynamics vs. Team Dynamics According to the website Team Technology, a simple definition of group dynamics is, “Groups are a social community, consisting of two or more people who have something in common.” Conversely, and critically, “A team is a special instance of a group in which the commonality is a shared goal.” The difference between the two is clear when you consider the ways in which individuals respond to each […]
Positive Corporate Culture – Trust, Loyalty, and Relationships
Fortune’s recent “100 Best Companies to Work For” edition talks about corporate culture. In the rankings for this year, aided by surveys taken in a partnership with Great Place To Work, the key to the cultures of the top 100 companies is how the culture fosters relationships between management and employees. The surveys focus on what are called the Trust Index© Survey and the Culture Audit©. “The best workplaces understand the factors that are truly valued by their people. They perpetuate policies, practices and behaviors that strengthen the employee-manager relationship. Employee retention improves, mitigating the costs of continual re-hiring of personnel.” – GreatPlaceToWork.com Relationships are the key to any culture, and the setting, time, and authenticity that supports healthy relationships […]
Why I Want to Be a Boss – NOT a Leader
Leadership sucks! I always wanted to climb the corporate ladder when I was a young banker. I wanted to climb the industry ladder when I was telecom executive. I always wanted more – more size, more importance, and more impact. I focused on the power and influence I had and – it was great. Or was it? Upon reflection, leadership is hard. Everyone I lead is looking to me to model my stated values and the company’s core values. I have an obligation to do things for the benefit of others. And not just their financial benefit. As I grew up (e.g., threw less temper tantrums and thought longer term), and woke up (e.g., stopped thinking in terms of ME […]
Defining your Role as a Leader
The concept of leadership can be so broad, and the definition so narrow, that trying to identify yourself as an effective leader can be confusing at best and impossible at worst. After all, how can you lead effectively if you have no idea what “being a leader” means? A dictionary definition of leadership is far too narrow, “the action of leading a group of people or an organization.” Yet, this one from Bill Gates, “As we look ahead into the next century, leaders will be those who empower others,” is more than a bit vague. Instead, maybe we should ask ourselves, “What do great leaders do?” and “What is the role of a leader?” or “How does a leader inspire […]
How to Avoid Emotional Reactivity
All relationships have certain things in common, whether personal or professional: first, every relationship you enjoy must be based on mutual respect; second, both parties must be willing to listen to each other; third, empathy is key to keeping the relationship moving forward. Staying neutral is the key to effective leadership Effective leadership involves staying emotionally neutral. I don’t mean numb or emotionless, just in control of your emotions, not reactive. To be a better leader, avoid idealizing or reacting to the extreme positive (I love this guy, everything he does is perfect) or being critical or extremely negative (this guy is an idiot). Both of these reactions reflect your projection and capacity to deflate or inflate yourself. The result […]
How to Find Balance between Work & Life
If you are serious about managing the “inevitable” work/life conflict, start with what you value most, and follow a vision to be aligned with these things. Here are five tips to finding a healthy work/life balance: Gaining Perspective – Establish the real and relative value of your work, your personal life, and your family life. What is most important to you, and why? Once you decide which area of your life deserves priority, commit to it fully and without restraint. This does not mean that you should ignore the areas of your life that you’ve assigned a lower priority: healthy eating, exercise, and personal relationships also have value to a fully realized person. Care for those areas of your life […]
Effective Leadership Tools – The Importance and Value of Positivity
If you asked 100 people to define leadership, you’re likely to receive 100 different answers. Although extensive research has been done in recent years on the power of positivity in everyday life, and how effective it can be in business, still far too many leaders are negative or fear-based. Perhaps the most common example of this can be seen in athletic coaches; the stereotypical screamer that heaps harsh criticism on the players whenever they fail to perform to his (usually) unrealistic standards. Is this type of abusive behavior actually effective? It does change behavior. Sometimes very quickly. But there is a price to be paid. What happens when the leader doesn’t have the organizational or economic threat to the employee? […]
Be Your Ultimate Cheerleader
Why is Your Work so Important to You? One of the most powerful impulses we have as human beings is our need for validation; the idea that what we do and value also has value in the eyes of another. In fact, the need for validation is so strong that even receiving praise from strangers, people whose judgment we really have no reason to value, makes us feel better about ourselves. We seek validation from loved ones and friends, business associates, our boss, and employees. However, by placing so much importance on the opinions of others, we also set ourselves up to be hurt by, or resistant to, negative feedback Seeking validation for your work begins with you An article […]
We Are All Brian Williams
To Find Success & Happiness – Check your Premises A person’s character is a function of their choices and their behavior, which are a function of their beliefs and values. Everything you hold dear will have a profound effect on anything you do, say, and feel. And of course, these are the things that define your character – or lack of it. What is integrity, and why does it matter? “Integrity is honesty in action.” – Ayn Rand While you may not be a fan of the writings of Ayn Rand, this particular insight has deep meaning for all who wish to think of themselves as a “good person”. It flies directly in the face of the old, tired saying, […]
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