Talent Reviews: What They’re Saying Behind Closed Doors

May 21, 2013 — 7 Comments

iStock 000009960589XSmall 300x150 Talent Reviews: What Theyre Saying Behind Closed DoorsThe talent you count on as central to your brand could rub people the wrong way.  What you do well, may not do you well.

After two decades participating in talent reviews, I’ve noticed a pattern.  The talents candidates count on as central to their brand, are often talked about negatively when assessing their readiness for promotion.  Be aware of what decision makers may be saying about you.  Your strengths may be weakened in other’s eyes.

5 Talents Reviewed (ups and downs)

Here’s what I’ve heard said about good guys behind their backs.  The sad truth– feedback doesn’t always get back.  Bosses shy away from sharing what’s shared.  They protect confidences or worry that addressing over-used talents will stifle  current performance.

Your boss knows, but you don’t grow.

Be aware of your talent and both sides of the conversation.
Continue Reading…

In confidence, Fear and Courage, grow your career , , ,
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Prove it! Growing Leaders One Proof at a Time

May 20, 2013 — 10 Comments

iStock 000003645793XSmall 100x150 Prove it! Growing Leaders One Proof at a TimeThey think it can’t be done.  You do.  Now you’ve got to prove it.  Game on.  Nothing’s more inspirational than having something to prove.

My team has spent the last 2 years proving “the impossible.”  The more folks told us “it” wouldn’t work, the more fired up we got.

We wanted to prove that culture drives results– and culture can be built.  It’s not only about extrinsic rewards.  Engagement counts.  So do trusted relationships.  Partner.  Inspire.   Give both ways.  Through an extensive collaboration across multiple companies, we’re creating complex proof that culture matters.  Proving it is fun, inspiring, and leaves us salivating for more.

The hungry for more part is important, because proving yourself is never handled.  Bill Treasurer told me, “even at your funeral, it’s likely you still will be proving something.”  Leaders need to get used to that inspiring feeling.  Prove yourself early and often… then do it again.

5 Ways to “Prove It” Continue Reading…

In accountability, confidence, grow your career , , , ,
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Frontline Festival-May 2013: Trust and Transparency Edition

May 17, 2013 — 19 Comments

frontlinefestival 300x300 Frontline Festival May 2013: Trust and Transparency Edition

Welcome to the May Frontline Festival.  Thanks to all the amazing thought leaders sharing their perspectives on Trust and Transparency.

Building Trust

Wally Bock of Three Star Leadership says you “can’t build trust,” in his post How do I trust thee?  Trust is important, but it has more than one dimension.  I like that he differentiates between being trusted as a person and being trusted as a leader, with salient examples of a newly promoted team leader.

New to the Festival, Henna Inam, of Transformational Leadership, shares her post How To Influence Others Powerfully.  She explores the linkage between influence and trust. I agree with her statement, “influence expands in direct proportion to trust and connection.”

Jonathan Green, of Monster Leaders, shares The Three Rules for a Prospering Work Culture.  Jonathan teaches, “Sharing is caring…   It is critically important to keep people in the know and connect them through honesty, sharing experiences and  promoting open dialogue.”

Trusting Your Team

“He who does not trust enough, Will not be trusted.” -Lao Tzu

Lolly Daskal of Lead From Within offers great advice for building trust in her post, Just Trust Me.  My favorite point, “Trust is a two-way street. To make someone trustworthy, you need to trust them first. The best way to find out if you can trust somebody is to trust them.”  More leaders need this message. Continue Reading…

In Authenticity, Fear and Courage, Trust , ,
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How To Fire Someone… With Compassion

May 16, 2013 — 21 Comments

iStock 000009612718XSmall 150x105 How To Fire Someone... With CompassionYou really like this guy.  You’ve grown close over the years.   You care about him.  You might even know his family.  Perhaps he’s even a strong performer who did something stupid.  Now you have to fire him.  How do you that?

Firing someone is the hardest thing to do as a leader.  Layoffs are awful too, but at least there’s a softish landing and some conciliation that it’s not their fault.

This post is not about whether you “should” be firing this person.   I’m assuming you’ve vetted that… given appropriate second chances, and now are stuck with “how.” Continue Reading…

In accountability, Execution, Failing, Fear and Courage, Listening, Performance , , , ,
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Powerful Perspective: Opportunities and the Arch of Time

May 15, 2013 — 17 Comments

Powerful Perspective: Opportunities and the Arch of TimeYou hear devastating news.   Job loss.  A diagnosis.   A new baby with life-changing special needs.  Your brain and heart rush through thoughts, prayers, next steps.  It’s hard to gain perspective.  This was not in the plan.

What now? Continue Reading…

In Authenticity, confidence, Fear and Courage, Gratitude , , ,
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Should You Reveal Your Secret at Work?

May 14, 2013 — 10 Comments

iStock 000010410000XSmall 150x103 Should You Reveal Your Secret at Work?You want to show up authentic, but then again… not every environment is safe.  If you tell your secret, will they admire your courage?  Will it bring you closer to your boss and others?  Or… Will they judge you?  Will doors open or close as a result of your authenticity?  Bill Treasurer, author of Leaders Open Doors, shares a powerful story of how revealing a deep secret opened the doors to remarkable opportunity.  I admire his courage.  At the same time, I can’t help but consider how his story would play out in other contexts… with other important leaders I know.  I suspect the outcome would be different.

Risky Reveals

A risky reveal can be admitting something from your past, in Bill’s case, he was recovering from a drinking problem.  Or perhaps it’s a hidden lifestyle choice.  If you’re wrestling with a potentially risky reveal, you know.   When Bill shared his secret with his boss at Accenture, it didn’t appear to go well. Continue Reading…

In Authenticity, Fear and Courage, grow your career, Trust , , ,
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Can You Ignore Office Politics?

May 13, 2013 — 6 Comments

hoodieXSmall 300x199 Can You Ignore Office Politics?Can you ignore office politics?  I wish the answer was yes.  I’d love to give you a Harry Potter style invisibility hoodie to pull up over your head when the cross-fire starts.  You could go on with your work while the turkeys battle for survival.

It’s not that easy.   I’m a bit like Cheryl Conner, author of Office Politics:  Must You Play?  A Handbook for Survival/Success.  I disdain office politics because ”I’m just not that good at it.”  If you want to learn how to play the game, read another blog.  If you wrestle with staying true to your values within the political turbulence, read on. Continue Reading…

In confidence, Conflict, Empowerment, Fear and Courage, Mentoring , , , ,
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Moms Growing Leaders: A Mother’s Day Tribute

May 10, 2013 — 22 Comments
momsadvice 300x225 Moms Growing Leaders: A Mothers Day Tribute

Thanks to Joy Guthrie for drawing the lesson from my mom https://twitter.com/VizwerxGroup

If you ask my mom if she’s a leader, she’ll say “no.”  And then, everyone who knows her will just shake their heads and laugh.  People follow leaders toward a vision.  Leaders serve.  Leaders grow leaders.  My mom’s a leader.  She’s grown a nice crop.

Moms Growing Leaders

Some moms hold formal leadership roles.  Others do not.  Either way, don’t underestimate the impact.  Over the last few weeks, I’ve been asking successful leaders what their moms taught them about leadership.  Some great insights shared below.

In the spirit of Mother’s Day, take a minute to reflect.  What did your mom teach you about leadership?  Share in the comments… more importantly, if you still can, tell your mom.  Don’t assume she understands the impact.

What Moms Taught Us

“My mother taught me about creativity and passion for what you do. My grandmother taught me perseverance and hard work while always finding the joy (and a smile) in the moment. My great aunt taught me to respect the wisdom and the work of those who came before who put you in the position you are. My great great grandmother taught me that anything is possible when you put your mind to it, no matter what the circumstances. A long way to say – I have had great teachers.”  -Kahina Van Dyke, Global Women’s Executive Leadership Council Continue Reading…

In accountability, confidence, Developing Leadership in Children, Empowerment, Fear and Courage, Listening , , ,
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