Do You Know The Difference Between An Engineer and A Manager? Caution: The Truth Hurts!

I was in a plant working on a project and one of the senior linesmen called me over to his station. When I go there he asked me if I knew the difference between an engineer and a manager. When asked him what his definition was, he told me what he had learned over the… Continue reading Do You Know The Difference Between An Engineer and A Manager? Caution: The Truth Hurts!

Leadership Nugget #25: Forget the Feedback Sandwich. Get To Your Real Point

People tiptoe around giving feedback that others may take as negative. All types of leadership “wisdom” is provided on how to give negative feedback but unfortunately many if them only diminish the leader’s credibility by advocating the leader to play games rather than be honest and direct. Perhaps one of the dumbest techniques on how… Continue reading Leadership Nugget #25: Forget the Feedback Sandwich. Get To Your Real Point

Leadership Nugget #24: Bad Management Or Unethical Decisions ? You Better Know The Difference!

As I look back on my career in leadership there were two decisions made above me that caused me to question whether or not I could comply with what was asked. Was management above me making an unethical request or were they making a horrible decision with which I was in total disagreement but which… Continue reading Leadership Nugget #24: Bad Management Or Unethical Decisions ? You Better Know The Difference!

The Alarming Epidemic of Leadership Dishonesty

Jim Boeheim is the latest in a long line of disgraced leaders. In a stunning moment Boeheim’s reputation, legacy and accomplishments are gone but the actions creating the fall from grace have been in development over many years. The Atlanta Journal and Constitution’s Jeff Shultz writes: “Jim Boeheim has long been one of the nation’s… Continue reading The Alarming Epidemic of Leadership Dishonesty

Why Leaders Can’t Lead: Complexity and Bureaupathology

Warren Bennis in his classic book, Why Leaders Can’t Lead: The Unconscious Conspiracy Continues, discussed the forces that impact leaders and diminished their ability to lead. Bennis knew that the environment in which a leader operates impacts his or her ability to lead. A great leader in one setting may be totally ineffective in a… Continue reading Why Leaders Can’t Lead: Complexity and Bureaupathology

Leadership Nugget # 23: When Polls And Majorities Define Leadership

Tony Robbins: What is leadership? What makes a great leader? Often the “leaders” we see on TV or in the media today are figureheads that do what’s popular, but not what’s right. http://www.forbes.com/sites/danschawbel/2016/04/07/tony-robbins-most-leaders-do-whats-popular-not-whats-right/#78de29d52060 A generation of spineless leaders is emerging. This is not because the leaders start off spineless but it occurs because our society… Continue reading Leadership Nugget # 23: When Polls And Majorities Define Leadership

Leadership Nugget #21: So You Think You Know Talent

Overqualified: Having more education, training, or experience than is required for a job or position. Dictionary.com Underqualified: Insufficiently qualified for a particular job. http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/underqualified Question: Does the right hire depend more on the person who is hiring than the person being hired? Copyright 9 By 9 Solutions 2016 All Rights Reserved

Leadership Nugget #20: The Intersection Where Direction, Commitment, Excellence and Meaning Meet

Tried employee engagement and it did not work? Held company picnics, college sweatshirt and employee appreciation days and not getting a long-term impact to the bottom line? Then maybe you are doing employee engagement all wrong. Engagement is all the rage in businesses today. Consultants and thought leadership gurus are on the bandwagon about how… Continue reading Leadership Nugget #20: The Intersection Where Direction, Commitment, Excellence and Meaning Meet

Leadership Nugget #22: Is Competition An Effective Workplace Motivational Approach?

Competition is good! Competition is bad! At some point in every leader’s careers he or she will have to decide whether or not to use competition to motivate staff. Some people swear by competition and use it as often as possible. They see it as focusing staff and creating a game-like, fun environment in the… Continue reading Leadership Nugget #22: Is Competition An Effective Workplace Motivational Approach?