Category: The Practice of Leadership

The Artist-Leader

Most leadership writers are overly prescriptive about what it takes to be a leader. Lists and recipes abound. Thought leaders suggest they have discovered the “Holy Grail” of leadership that leads to success if only the approach is followed (books and audio-tapes available!). The problem is that leadership is not mechanical and it is not… Continue reading The Artist-Leader

How Many Leaders Does One Organization Need?

You have heard these points of view before. Point of view #1: “Everybody can be a leader”. Not true. Everyone works with other people and is dependent on others to achieve results but not everyone is or has the capacity to be a leader. Point of view #2: “Leadership is influence.” Not true. At some… Continue reading How Many Leaders Does One Organization Need?

Can A Company Become Unleadable?

The consequences of sustained poor or average leadership can have devastating effects on a company, its success, and its employees. We often read about failures of leaders in academic terms (10 Traits Of The Bad Boss, etc.) but to watch in real time how confused or inadequate leadership can destroy the potential of a company… Continue reading Can A Company Become Unleadable?

Is Convenience Becoming Our new Ethical Standard?

Having her own personal e-mail server was simply a matter of convenience according to Ms. Clinton. It was too taxing for the Secretary of State to carry two devices: one for her government job and one for her personal e-mail (notwithstanding the iPad, iPad mini and Blackberry she carries). Maybe like the rest of us… Continue reading Is Convenience Becoming Our new Ethical Standard?

What Can We Learn From One Upset Mom In A High Risk Situation?

Both mother AND son — whose filmed confrontation on the edge of the Baltimore riots went viral — are speaking out about what happened and why the teenager, wearing a mask and carrying a brick, was there in the first place. (http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/04/30/mother-son-baltimore-protests-confrontation-tv-viral/26628207/) The pictures of the mom in Baltimore are riveting. A mother storms across… Continue reading What Can We Learn From One Upset Mom In A High Risk Situation?

How Management Can Get Its Groove Back

Today, management is a four-letter word. The common belief is that anything that smacks of management, especially people management, is to be avoided at all costs. Many believe that all managers are bad and all leaders are good. If the truth is told, management adds tremendous value to organizations and to staff. Without proper management,… Continue reading How Management Can Get Its Groove Back

Leadership In Pictures #5 The Myth of The Perfect Leader

This is the last in a five part series entitled Leadership In Pictures. When one reads current leadership articles it often feels like Diogenes roaming the earth searching for the truthful man (or woman). Writers bemoan the fact that they cannot find one person who consistently exhibits sound leadership principles techniques and who applies them… Continue reading Leadership In Pictures #5 The Myth of The Perfect Leader

Leadership In Pictures #4 Change Without Movement

Management vs. leadership: the differences and similarities are often analyzed, discussed and debated. Many believe managers are always bad and leaders are always good. In reality these terms do not refer to types of people but different types of work. Management focuses on activity and leadership focuses on people. Both are needed to achieve and… Continue reading Leadership In Pictures #4 Change Without Movement