The Power of Asking
Recently I was sharing some data with a group of leaders on the impact of asking for feedback. The data showed an exceptionally strong correlation between asking for feedback and the overall effectiveness of a leader. One of the leaders commented, “I must be a great leader then because I seem to get boat load … Read more
Does Leadership Development Really Work?
It’s estimated that $60 billion is spent annually by corporate America on learning and development programs. Over 20 percent—about $12 billion—is spent on programs specifically for executives and managers. I frequently hear comments from skeptics who say something like, “People don’t change. We invest all this time and money, and people stay the same.” These … Read more
“Tis Better to Receive Than to Give”
We were all taught while we were young that it is better to give than to receive. After all, giving has great benefits for both the recipient and the giver. There’s one exception, however, and that has to do with the exchange of feedback between bosses and those who report to them. In this case, … Read more
Influence and Accountability
Recently a client asked me to speak at their annual meeting about accountability. The groups’ senior leader explained, “We work as a staff group in a highly matrixed organization. Very few people feel they are personally responsible for achieving results.” In researching accountability, I found that there is a very strong correlation with influence. The … Read more
Forbes Blog: Filling the Talent Pool — With Women
Earlier this week I heard a presentation from a consultant representing one of the large auditing and consulting firms. He presented research the firm had done with CEOs regarding the issues that were top of their minds. Clearly revenue growth was one big worrying topic. The other was talent development. It sounded like many CEOs … Read more
The Results Are In: Women Are Better Leaders
Forbes Blog by Erika Andersen- Business Thinker and Author Just read an excerpt of an article from HBR, over at my friend Bob Morris’ blog. The article, by Jack Zenger and Joseph Folkman, is based on a research study they did of 7,280 leaders in 2011. They looked at leaders in a variety of positions … Read more
Are Women Better Leaders than Men?
We’ve all heard the claims, the theories, and the speculation about the ways leadership styles vary between women and men. Our latest survey data puts some hard numbers into the mix. Our data come from 360 evaluations, so what they are tracking is the judgment of a leader’s peers, bosses, and direct reports. We ask … Read more
The Perfect Solution
Have you ever received a gift that you both needed and valued? I remember receiving a wheelbarrow for father’s day some years ago. I needed a wheelbarrow but it seemed like the implied message of this tool was; “Now you have no excuse for not doing the yard work.” This gift was needed but not valued. My wife always wanted a back massage and I could never satisfy the need, so I bought her a massage chair. This gift was both needed and valued and years after I gave the gift I still get thanked.
What Can Business Learn From Politics?
The following post is a portion of Jack Zenger’s Forbes.com column. Approval ratings of Congress are in the teens. Big decisions facing our nation are completely avoided. Urgent decisions are postponed to the last day and the final hour. Gridlock is a generous description of what is happening in Washington. Are there any useful lessons … Read more
Lin-Sanity: A Strengths-based Approach to Basketball
Many of you have heard about Jeremy Lin, the new, young superstar on the New York Knicks. His rapid rise to stardom has been noticed even outside the world of basketball, due to the inspirational human aspects of his story. In honor of New York’s most recent megastar, what’s now being called “Lin-Sanity” is seen … Read more
