Whose Job Are You Doing?

Aug 20, 2009 | Leadership Development

I had a work session yesterday with a client who wanted to discuss what to do with his General Manager who has been micromanaging his Operations Director and other staff. The General Manager's micromanaging has caused three key staff members to resign and the Operations Director has threatened to do so too. What was my client, the company owner, to do? After I'd gotten more background on the situation, I asked my client to identify the top five responsibilities of both his General Manager and...

Office Politics Is a Tool You Use to Do Your Job

Aug 12, 2009 | Leadership Development

Women and men think differently about many things, but office politics is one area where the difference is vast. Women will try to run from office politics as they equate it with cattiness and gossip; men will more readily speak up and view it for what it is: a way to achieve your goals by establishing networks, building relationships, seeking input, and asking people to take action when needed. As a leader, to play politics successfully, you have to accept that playing politics and working...

People Like Confident Leaders

Aug 11, 2009 | Leadership Development

Confidence is the ability to take a stance and defend a position. To be able to project confidence: Convince, don't cave: Confidence resides in those who show conviction and "sell" their ideas rather than backing away from them when challenged. Don't explain. Don't defend: When you make a decision and you're willing to "bet the farm," go with it. You don't have to defend your views every time you're challenged. Realize confidence doesn't equate to witchiness - and if people call you a witch -...

Visions Establish the Target

Aug 11, 2009 | Strategic Planning

Developing a vision is easy for many leaders; clearly articulating it is hard. For a leader's vision to work, it needs to be clear, concise, and measurable. A solid vision will create the same image in the mind of every person who hears it. This clarity enables everyone to understand it, support it, and systematically track progress toward or away from it. If employees don't understand what they're working toward, it's hard to make it happen. Make Your Vision Statement Clear. Copyright...

Sometimes We Get What We Ask For

Aug 10, 2009 | Leadership Development

As leaders, when faced with difficult professional situations, we adults often revert to immature (i.e., girly or teenage-boy) behaviors. We second-guess ourselves, change our opinions erratically, fear the potential professional ramifications or - the worse yet - fear that others may not like us because of our actions. These and other self-defeating behaviors cause bosses, peers, and direct reports to doubt our abilities as leaders. If we doubt our own leadership decisions and abilities, why...