Category: The Practice of Leadership

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

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 #19: Is Consistently Bad Leadership Better Than Sporadically Great Leadership?

Transparency is often defined as the responsibility of the leader to make information, data and even thinking available to employees. But there is another aspect of transparency that is important, possibly more important than sharing information. That additional factor deals with future transparency, the ability of employees to read the leader, also known as predictability.… Continue reading Leadership Nugget #19: Is Consistently Bad Leadership Better Than Sporadically Great Leadership?

Why Leaders Can’t Lead: The Deification Of Leadership

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: The Deification Of Leadership

Leadership Nugget #16: Leadership Development Pipelines? You Have To Be Kidding!

The image is powerful: a giant pipe with millions of leaders spewing out the end. Unlimited leadership talent for decades ahead! Leadership pipeline is a popular term in management circles today and consultants and leadership thought leaders have jumped on the bandwagon to make sure they are speaking on this cutting edge issue. In fact,… Continue reading Leadership Nugget #16: Leadership Development Pipelines? You Have To Be Kidding!

Leadership Nugget #15: Leadership Is Not Rocket Science!

195 leaders in 15 countries over 30 global organizations were asked to choose the 15 most important leadership competencies from a list of 74. Their survey results were reported and charted in the Harvard Business Review (March 15, 2016). https://hbr.org/2016/03/the-most-important-leadership-competencies-according-to-leaders-around-the-world?referral=00563&cm_mmc=email-_-newsletter-_-daily_alert-_-alert_date&utm_source=newsletter_daily_alert&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=alert_date Today consultants and thought leaders race to find the holy grail of leadership. Research studies,… Continue reading Leadership Nugget #15: Leadership Is Not Rocket Science!

Leadership Nugget # 14: The Impact Of Visible Values on Organization Culture

Does it help to post scripture verses or virtuous quotes in a person’s cubicle or at the bottom of e-mails? Several studies, quoted below, explored that issue. The results of these studies have some food for thought in actions necessary to build healthy organizational cultures. “In a series of studies, subjects were told that they’d… Continue reading Leadership Nugget # 14: The Impact Of Visible Values on Organization Culture

Why Leaders Can’t Lead: The Damaging Impact Of Soccer Trophies On The Workplace

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: The Damaging Impact Of Soccer Trophies On The Workplace