Archives For leaders

A Fresh Take on Leadership Traits

December 20, 2012 — 6 Comments

iStock 000004475220XSmall 300x287 A Fresh Take on Leadership TraitsIf you’ve taken a college course on leadership, you likely went through the evolution of thinking on leadership… including “trait theory.”   I won’t begin to debate all that as I did back in college, or as I had my freshman debate in my classes.  Unless you want to chat about traits… please feel free to spark conversation in your comments.  It can be fun.

Lately I have been thinking about a different spin on traits… my own…. your own…. and how they can inform our leadership.

After meeting Charlotte Beers at the TEDxWomen’s conference and connecting with her afterwards for my post, Please: Developing Leadership Standby Skills, I was inspired to read her book. I’d Rather Be in Charge.

Why Traits Matter

She shares a practical approach for getting in touch with your one or two deeply embedded leadership traits.  Understanding, owning them, and learning to leverage and control them as needed.   She shares:

Traits are the interior drivers that run your work life.  They are powerful inclinations that may not show up as you are getting an education or early in your career.  These big engines will come roaring out when the going gets serious, when you are being tested. Continue Reading…

In Listening , , , , , , ,
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The Power of Always: Making Commitments You Can Keep

November 13, 2012 — 9 Comments

iStock 000016283516XSmall 200x300 The Power of Always: Making Commitments You Can Keep

I will always brush my teeth before I go to bed.

That’s pretty easy.

I will always exercise at least 5 times a week.

Unless..

I get stuck in the airport… my kid gets sick…there’s a hurricane…

A bit harder.

As leaders we have long lists of intentions.  We do our best to keep our commitments.

Unless… Continue Reading…

In Authenticity, Trust , , ,
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Hot Mess Leadership: When Image Becomes Dangerous

November 12, 2012 — 4 Comments

iStock 000015090448XSmall 300x235 Hot Mess Leadership: When Image Becomes DangerousThe term ”hot mess” typically refers to someone disheveled on the outside with some redeeming qualities on the inside.  Urban dictionary defines a “hot mess” as

“when one’s thought or appearance are in a state of disarray, but they maintain an undeniable attractiveness or beauty”

Leaders can go a long way by getting clothes that fit, shoes that shine, and well-kept hair and nails.

Work on your magnetism.  Refrain from stupid outbursts.  You will have another leg up.

It’s important to avoid being a “hot mess”.

Cleaning up the outside matters. Continue Reading…

In Authenticity, grow your career, Listening, Trust , , , , ,
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Cheer in the Next Gear: How to Make Your Support Count

October 25, 2012 — 2 Comments

iStock 000018805621XSmall 300x199 Cheer in the Next Gear: How to Make Your Support Count

Each time a cyclist peddled past our corner at the Ironman triathlon , the woman sitting next to me on the curb would clang her large cowbell.  No words.  No sign of emotion.  This went on for hours.  It was almost a Pavlovian response.  See bike, ring bell. She was committed.  She never missed an athlete.   For whom was her bell tolling?  Why was this helpful?

In contrast, my husband Marcus is my cheering hero.  I have run several marathons by his side, and watched him as he cheers from the inside of the race; looking to encourage anyone running behind, ahead or beside him.  His cheers go something like this: Continue Reading…

In Culture, Recognition, Speaking and presenting , , , , , ,
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A Matter of Trust: Why I Trust You, Why I Don’t

October 9, 2012 — 9 Comments

 

iStock 000011938410XSmall1 300x210 A Matter of Trust: Why I Trust You, Why I Dont

“The lamb and the lion shall lay down together,
but the lamb will not be very sleepy”
-Woody Allen

Developing real trust takes time.  The people we lead come to us with history, memories, and experiences–they recall times of trust inspired and trust betrayed.  When we are in a new gig, our teams watch even more closely.

  • “Can I trust you?”
  • “How do you talk to your boss?”
  • “Are you like the last guy?”

When we have been with a team longer, our teams have real perceptions and interpretations of our actions.

  • “Is this a pattern?”
  • “Does she always have my back?”
  • “How does he act under stress?”
  • “How is she treating everyone else?”

After years of leading, being led, coaching leaders, reading employee surveys, and hanging out with leaders… here’s my best summary of what inspires or destroys trust. Continue Reading…

In Authenticity, Relationships, Trust , , , , , ,
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Beginning Better: 9 Tips for Successful Starts

October 4, 2012 — 14 Comments

iStock 000016816986XSmall 300x253 Beginning Better: 9 Tips for Successful Starts“Let us nourish beginnings. Not all things are blest, but the seeds of all things are blest.  The blessing is in the seed.”

Muriel Rukeyser

How you begin matters.

Prepare the team.  Reinforce the vision. Energize the plans.  Refresh the excitement.

Do you begin well? Continue Reading…

In Culture, Planning , , , , , ,
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Feedback: Getting Great Insights From People Who Matter

October 3, 2012 — 3 Comments

iStock 000016947047XSmall 300x199 Feedback: Getting Great Insights From People Who MatterAs leaders, getting enough feedback on your leadership can sometimes be a challenge.  Of course, it’s important to know what your boss thinks.  What is equally important are the broader impressions your leadership is making up down and sideways.  Today I share some formal and informal tools to get the conversation started.

Who Are You Asking for Feedback?

One of the most frequent questions folks ask me when starting a new mentoring relationship is,  “what impressions do you have of me?”

In other words,

“What’s my brand?”

“What have you heard about me?”

“What have you observed?”

“How do you talk about me to others?”

Great questions. I believe in transparency and I always shoot straight.  But the truth is, what I think may matter, but I am just one opinion. Continue Reading…

In grow your career, Listening, Relationships , , , , , ,
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A Question of Intimidation: Questions that Shut People Down

October 2, 2012 — 9 Comments

iStock 000019827119XSmall 235x300 A Question of Intimidation: Questions that Shut People DownQuestions are powerful.  They can motivate, and inspire deeper thinking.

Great questions empower.

Questions can also intimidate, frustrate and shut down people down.

The most dangerous are those where the leader already  ”knows” the answer… and is looking to see if the person will “get it right.”  Closed ended questions can have a similar impact, if the leader only wants to hear “yes” or “no.” Continue Reading…

In Questions , , , , , ,
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