So much is expected of leaders. After all they have accepted the role and the rewards of stewardship of the values, the vision, the people and the results. With such high stakes the effective leader must have a variety of traits to handle the complexities and uncertainties of the territory. Yet there is one trait […]
In helping my senior leader clients master their role, I ask them to consider developing a pentagonal mindset. The foundational element is values. Values are the rules of the game, why and how we think and behave. To break them is to be in dishonour. A dishonourable leader has no future. The next element is […]
I’ve seen various lists of things that most CEOs supposedly worry about more than anything else. At face value, these lists are always convincing because everything they include looks important. Here are some typical examples: Talent retention Operating in a global market Compliance Cost efficiencies Performance Productivity Usually, one item is missing, although it’s really […]
Have you ever been in the presence of a leader who is ranting, angry or overwhelmed? How did you feel at that moment? You can be assured that in that moment that leader wasn’t capable of either thinking or behaving effectively. If the leader is in that emotionally unstable state, then trust and respect in […]
Everything we do, whether leader or not, begins with our mindset, doesn’t it? So what characterises the effective leader’s mindset? Firstly let’s agree on what we mean by ‘effective leader’. After all, deploying a workplace psychopath to lead a short term essential crucial task may be justified. She’ll get the job done, at whatever the […]
I plead with you for your answers to these five questions: Why, when we know the value of leadership and the massive return on investment in having effective leaders, do we not invest sufficient and realistic time and energy in developing effective leaders? Why, when we know that shared values drive sustainable desired outcomes for […]
Hierarchy of Enterprise Success© Within each of the above “bricks” of success there are related and inter-related requirements that ensure the integrity of each brick and the model as a whole. For instance the brick of Continuous Learning and Improvement includes the setting of key performance indicators or results areas, their measurement, performance mastery, innovation […]
The issue of unsatisfactory accountability seems pervasive across commerce industry and government. I heard a mine manager of a significant mine tell his direct reports, general managers of divisions, “I’m holding you accountable for the delivery of these actions”. The problem was he said it at the end of each of the five consecutive meetings […]
I was bemused then disappointed to see that a British manufacturing company is seeking to appoint an Employee Engagement Manager! The function is within HR, requires the usual survey and data collection and processing and includes supporting leaders in monitoring and improving employee engagement. The salary offered is circa GBP 50,000. With on costs and […]
When baby boomers were new and younger employees, they were not expected to ask why but to do or die, as the old saying went. That was a carry-over from the colonial military days and the recent Second World War, when obeying difficult orders without question was essential. Those authoritarian days are well over. Today […]
