Many people who become leaders do so with self-doubt. I know, because I did too. What we think about ourselves becomes a story, one we tell ourselves. In my case, as a 20-year-old newly commissioned officer in the army, I had concerns about many things: Would I make a mistake? What if they think I’m […]
I’ve spent three decades helping people become better leaders. Here’s my take of whether we can change others. We can’t. All we can do is model, inspire, persuade, or coach, and the result we’ll achieve is in direct proportion to their desire and effort to succeed. Also, whether our message or training is effectively delivered. […]
There are two ways to read that headline, and both are correct. The leader’s behaviour creates, or tolerates or influences the culture. The leader has a primary responsibility for setting or adjusting the culture. You can walk into a business and spend about an hour working and conversing with the people and be able to […]
Everything about leadership has already been written, argued, demonstrated and preached continuously for at least 5000 years. The evidence proving the importance of leadership is overwhelming and unarguable. Every respected learning institution has a school devoted to leadership. Despite this, we see operating organisations of all types, with the possible exception of defence establishments, minimising […]
Max (not his real name) was my new client, a CEO of a mid-sized infrastructure service provider (industry changed for privacy). He had asked me to help him improve his leadership skills. I agreed because he had the ‘learner’s attitude’, despite his solid experience as a respected senior leader. He believed in continuous improvement and […]
Have you ever been with a leader who doesn’t give you space to have input? Do you get bombarded with what he or she says? Do you get the impression they don’t or can’t listen to you, only to what’s going on in their heads? Is there no thoughtful pause between their mind and their […]
There are two reasons why workplaces lack accountability: Inept leadership Dysfunctional culture The reasons why the leadership is inept at creating accountability are: Inability or unwillingness to confront the issue effectively. They’ve set the low standard themselves by their own example. They don’t know how to reset the corporate mindset, or improve the culture. They […]
Ineffective leadership is the biggest reversible cost to a business. If the leadership is dysfunctional at the top, then it gravitates downwards, infecting leaders at other levels. However, dysfunction in leadership at any level will have a negative impact at all levels of the business. The costs come from loss of: - talent engagement productivity […]
Asking and listening – that’s it. Gone are the days when leaders could just be command and control addicts. Gone are the days when leaders are anointed the alleged gurus in their field. Educated informed and concerned employees worth their salt need more than gurus and bosses. Google is guru and bosses are dinosaurs. Today’s […]
Gary was a very competent and confident CEO. His people knew he was an expert and would mostly lead them down the right path. That however, didn’t stop them not trusting him. It didn’t stop good talent from leaving. The reason they didn’t trust Gary was that they felt Gary did not care for them. […]
