Open Space Leadership: Using Open Spaced Technology to Generate Ideas
An Example of Using Open Space Technology for Innovation and Problem Solving What is open space technology? Open Space Technology (OST) is a technique for organizing and running a meeting or multi-day conference. Participants create the agenda and lead mini-meetings...
Labor Day Reflections: A Saturday Salutation
Labor Day was first organized in 1882 by labor unions as a celebration of the contributions of working class Americans. Although not a big union supporter, Grover Cleveland formalized it as a National Holiday in 1894. There is some good background here for those who...
Is Fitness a Leadership Competency?
As a yogi, I believe in the connection between body, mind and spirit. I also know that my fitness routine is a vital aspect of who I am as a leader. For me, time spent on fitness is time to think, to clear my head and to become mentally and physically stronger. When I...
On Anger: Techniques for Managing Emotions at Work
I run, I do yoga, I reflect, I write and sometimes I get angry. As leaders, how we manage our anger and other emotions is vital. Everyone is watching, and if we don’t handle our anger well we can make a tough situation even more difficult. “Anyone can be angry,...
Stupid Feedback: When Stupid Smarts and What to Do About It
We’ve all been on the receiving end of stupid feedback from time to time. It’s mean. It hurts. And it isn’t useful or is it? Feedback is stupid when it’s alarming but not specific when we leave the conversation not understanding what to learn,...
Team Trouble? How to Build a Team One Person at a Time
My phone rang again this week. It was a front-line leader I have known for years having team trouble. “I can’t get them motivated. They just don’t seem to care like I do. I am not sure what to do, I’ve tried everything.” I have received...
Leadership Magic: Key Actions That Inspire Results
“What’s your leadership magic?” That’s my favorite question to ask really successful front line leaders. Clearly something is working for these folks, and I am always thirsty to understand just what. If you are a leader growing leaders,...
What’s Next? One Big Thing (Book Review)
What’s next? What are you born to do? What is your calling? A vital topic for me and for those I lead. Phil Cooke contributes well to this conversation with his book, The One Big Thing. “It’s tough not to notice a raging fire” ~ Phil Cooke He starts...
