Category Archives: Leadership

Posted on

How 3 Leadership Styles Contribute to or Undermine Your Success

Aggressive Businesswoman

Connection is a bond based on shared identity, empathy and understanding that moves individuals toward group-centered membership. It’s an essential attribute of successful teams, departments and organizations.

Groups with a high degree of connection have an assertive communication and leadership style. Being assertive means you speak and act in ways that reflect honesty and integrity, i.e. you say and do what you mean and don’t try to manipulate others by moving against them or moving away from them.

“ATD Podcast with Admiral Vern Clark”
by Association for Talent Development (ATD)

Sorry, listening to the audio on this website requires Flash support in your browser. You can try playing the MP3 file directly by clicking here.

ATD Podcast
May 31, 2016

It was a pleasure to interview Admiral Vern Clark, former Chief of Naval Operations in the U.S. Navy, about the approach he used to help the Navy achieve its goal of “winning the battle for people” and boosting retention rates. The interview is part 1 in a series of podcasts with Admiral Clark produced by the Association for Talent Development.

Posted on

Do You Have “Still Face” Managers in Your Organization?

Robot Representing Still Face Manager

Do you have “still face” managers in your organization? By still face managers, I mean supervisors whose lack of emotion makes it difficult for them to connect and to get people fired up. They seem unable to express appropriate emotion when interacting with others. The disconnection the other person experiences can be confusing, discouraging or lead to reaching a wrong conclusion.

I look forward to giving the afternoon keynote address at the 2016 Annual Sharing Day hosted by NJ Organization Development. This year’s program will focus on exploring a deeper understanding of what’s really needed from leaders in today’s chaotic and ever changing business climate. Click the links below for registration details.

Date: May 5, 2016
Time: 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Event: NJ Organization Development Annual Sharing Day
Sponsor: NJ Organization Development (NJOD)
Venue: Ramada Plaza Inn, Newark Airport
Location: 160 Frontage Road
Newark, NJ 07114
Public: Public
Registration: Click here to register.
More Info: Click here for more information.
Posted on

Leading with Character: Citizenship

Team with hands in center

Definition of Citizenship

Citizenship (social responsibility, loyalty, teamwork) is working well as a member of a group or team; being loyal to the group; doing one’s share.

Citizenship in Today’s Organizations

The historian and bestselling author David McCullough observed that, “little of consequence is ever done alone.” McCullough recognizes history has repeatedly shown that groups are essential to progress and impact on the world. That’s why citizenship is so important. When people are good citizens (members) of teams or organizations, they give their best efforts and strive for excellence in their work, and often go “above and beyond the call of duty.” They also align their behavior with team/organizational objectives and values and they cooperate, encourage and help their colleagues.

Posted on

Leading with Character: Integrity

Business leader talking to his team to avoid communication illusion trap

Definition of Integrity

Integrity can be defined as always interacting with others ethically and honorably. People with integrity aspire to the highest ethical standards and expect the same behavior of others. They conduct themselves honorably in any situation that may arise. They treat every person with respect and fairness. They are straightforward and forthright, expressing themselves with clarity, so that others always understand what is being communicated. They approach their work with honesty, and having made a commitment, keep their word.

Posted on

Leading With Character: Gratitude

Thank you card to express gratitude

Definition of Gratitude

Gratitude is being aware of and thankful for the good things that happen; taking time to express thanks.

Why Gratitude Matters

The word gratitude is based on the Latin root gratia which means “grace,” “graciousness,” and “gratefulness.” Religious thinkers and moral philosophers throughout history have long appreciated gratitude. Only recently, however, have scientists come to appreciate the positive influence gratitude has on human and organizational performance. 

Posted on

The Flawed “Customer First” Focus (and Other Management Practices to Question)

Under New Management Book Cover

“It isn’t what we don’t know that gives us trouble, it’s what we know that ain’t so.” – Will Rogers

In his latest book, Under New Management, David Burkus challenges a number of conventional business practices. These practices include, but are not limited to: the “customer first” mentality, non-compete agreements, email, standard vacation policy, office design, annual performance appraisals, and even the need for managers.

Under New Management is well worth reading. Below, I zero in on three practices Burkus addresses.