culture

Effective Leaders Stand Out (part one)

by

In preparation for a breakout session at an upcoming conference, I developed a list of ten things a leader can do to stand out and get noticed.  Not in a “look at me!” kind of way, but in a way that will help the leader connect more to others, and to enable others to connect as well.

While all ten pointers are applicable to all potential leaders, there are four that newer, more fast-paced leaders, might relate to more than the experienced.  So, those four this week, the rest next week.  Here we go:

Read more

Why “Tabatha” smokes “Boss”…

by

As a guy obsessed with maxing out potential in groups and individuals – and one who believes the person at the top is the one most responsible for making it happen – I was pretty fired up about the concept of Undercover Boss.  In each episode, a CEO goes undercover, in disguise, to work next to front-line employees.

The format got tired quickly – boss leaves fancy home and doting family, stays in fleabag hotels, realizes he/she is totally inept at frontline tasks, discovers that employees are (gasp!) real people with real problems, cries (most episodes), promises to change, and gives lavish rewards to the episode’s featured employees.

What a great concept – and what a disappointment in a show.  

Read more

What ought Iowa’s schools consider next?

by

Recently, Iowa’s new Director of the Department of Education, Jason Glass, posed three questions in his blog.

These questions got people talking – mostly online.  Mr. Glass has made himself very transparent and accessible online, particularly on Twitter.  This is a good example of best practices in leadership.

And that’s the purpose of this blog: to explore best practices in leadership. Our schools need leadership to become as effective as possible.  One such leader is today’s guest blogger, Matt Pries.

Read more

“Generational Differences” offer opportunities, not excuses…

by

Last week, I visited with someone close to my age (40s) about people in their 20s. The topic of generational differences came up, and I was reminded of the pervasiveness of the current stereotype many of us have about people in their 20s:

Entitled, lazy, hyper-connected, always with the earbuds in, leaving work as soon as possible, doing the minimum necessary, always

Read more

Smile. Merry Christmas!

by

No original thoughts from me this week, as I’ve been ill and have focused my energies only on 1) family needs , 2) current clients, and 3) getting myself well [that is, sleeping a lot!].

Thanks for understanding; I’ll be committed to the weekly Wednesday updates in the new year, I assure you.

In the past few weeks, a few of you have let me know that you look forward to the weekly post, though, and so this week I’ll provide a post from

Read more

Things successful leaders avoid saying (Part 2)

by

Last week, I raised up the value of the principles in “Drive” by Dan Pink.  If, as research has shown, people are motivated by autonomy, then there is a class of words we ought to avoid, as they can crush autonomy.  These may include “ought,” or “must,” but let’s focus on the one that seems to pass judgement:

Read more