The leadership development traffic is jammed with variations of the most common components, which when put under the microscope are actually more about management, not leadership. Styles of leadership, envisioning, systems theory, strategy, planning and execution concepts, and communication abound, cluttering the thinking of earnest buyers. There’s intellectual understanding but where are the practicalities that […]
The newly appointed executive was invited to lunch with the chair of the board. “Welcome to the rank of servant” said the chair. There was no smile on her face. “What do you mean?” asked the executive. “What do you think I mean?” The executive paused. This is not what he expected. He’d imagined he […]
The programs that abound for “Leadership Development” should be split into those that deal with managing and those that deal with leading. Whilst it is true that today’s leaders must also manage and vice versa, we still need to separate the two, in my opinion, for one simple reason. I think management is the greatest […]
Here’s an interesting look at your leadership ethos. Let’s look in the mirror for a moment. It’s a fun look at my experience with my many wonderful clients and comrades (and me) over a period of 40 years of leadership activity. Are you a lizard or a learner? There are many types of lizards and […]
Tom replaced the medium sized mining company’s former chief operating officer, who had fallen seriously ill. Less than two months later Tom felt extremely stressed and was struggling to keep up with his workload. Worst of all he hadn’t had time to get to know the people who were delivering the outputs and results. He […]
I long for the day when most organisations have a binary system for advancement for their people, where they can be recognised, rewarded and advanced equitably for their operational skills and/or their people skills. Presently the main route for recognition and advancement is by being operationally excellent – for example the best salesman becomes the […]
