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 … Continue reading

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 … Continue reading

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 … Continue reading

Can Strengths Be Carried Too Far?

We can all think of examples of things that are good for us when done in moderation, but when done in excess can be harmful.  For example, drinking water is generally good for us.  But, when done in excess, even drinking water can become deadly.  The same thing holds true for exercise.  It is a … Continue reading

Is your company prepared to fail in 2012?

— The following is a guest post from leadership blogger Andrew Bryant, CSP PCC, founder of Self Leadership International.– A friend of mine is an Asia Pacific Managing Director for a global firm. We were chatting over lunch and I was sharing the need for a long-term approach to developing leaders. “I agree,” he said, “but my … Continue reading

7 Ways to Lead by Going First

— This is a guest post by Bud to Boss blogger, Kevin Eikenberry — To lead someone or something means, literally, to be in front, so that others can see and follow in that direction.  Stated another way, if you think you are leading, but no one is following, you are just taking a walk. … Continue reading

Six Core Elements to Leading a Peak Performance Culture

—This is a guest post from Practical Leadership blogger, Jim Clemmer— Organizational culture development is a complex topic with many intertwined leadership components. Establishing a peak performance culture in what’s sometimes called a “green field” situation has different challenges than changing an established culture (sometimes called “brown field”). A participant in our culture change work … Continue reading

The 16 Days of Competencies: #2 Technical and Professional Expertise

As featured in the article “Making Yourself Indispensable” published in the October 2011 issue of Harvard Business Review. Yesterday, Harvard Business Review published an article titled, Making Yourself Indispensible, by Jack Zenger and Joe Folkman—co-authors of The Inspiring Leader and principals of the leadership development company, Zenger Folkman. After years of extensive research, we at … Continue reading

Are YOU an Inspiring Leader?

I just returned from a visit to the Pacific Northwest. Our destination was Friday Harbor in the San Juan Islands. I have a sister there who lives on a lovely boat and we had a “sister’s retreat” with a third sister and niece joining us. This was a very beautiful and inspiring time and place. … Continue reading

Leadership- It’s Everybody’s Issue

In the last few months I have spent time in San Jose, Atlanta, Houston, Minneapolis, England, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, New York, Doha Qatar, Amsterdam Netherlands, Orlando, New Haven, Chicago and Mexico City. I have also had conversations with people from India, China, Denmark, Switzerland, Washington D.C., Singapore, South Africa, Egypt, Florida and Japan. I have … Continue reading