Guest Post: David Graham | Empower HR leadership teams to deliver more business value

Oct 28, 2011 | Guest Post

We have a special guest on the blog today. David Graham, founder of Executive Insight, has written a terrific article that we'd like to share with you. How do you empower HR leadership teams to deliver more business value? Visit David Graham's blog for more great articles. This article, produced by Deloitte Human Capital discusses the role of the HR COO. If you have any questions, contact Jack Sellschop at jsellschop@deloitte.co.za or Gareth Evans at garevans@deloitte.co.za The emerging...

A Self-Respecting Leader: Robert 'Tink' Lehmer

Oct 24, 2011 | Leadership Development

I never met Robert 'Tink' Lehmer. I wish I had. He thought the way great leaders think. I say this because of a little poem he wrote in 1976. Tink's poem was shared during a Leadership Training program graduation ceremony I recently attended. My hope for the graduates is that they paid attention and took his words to heart. If the graduates did, his words will serve them well. Myself (Written June 11, 1976) I have to live with myself, and so I want to be fit for myself to know I...

Leadership Hypocrisy

Oct 17, 2011 | Leadership Development

Leadership hypocrisy, that's a rather startling phrase isn't it? Truth be told, you're probably waiting to see what I have to say about some slimy individuals who have cheated their customers, scammed their vendors, and profited grotesquely while their employees have barely earned a sustainable wage. Nope. Leadership hypocrisy can be much more subtle. It's not seeing the unintentional things you do that cause your employees to lose respect for you and to disengage from you and the...

Who is Key?

Oct 10, 2011 | Succession Planning

I had an interesting conversation the other day with a client. We were discussing her company’s strategic plan and the next step: the succession plan. I was outlining for her the basic steps to identifying the responsibilities of key positions when she asked a great question: “Just what is a ‘key’ position?” Her question honestly stunned me for a moment because of its simplicity and its importance. If we, as business owners, do not know which positions in our company are key, how can we ensure...

Are You Too Busy Being Busy?

Oct 3, 2011 | Leadership Development

Do you work 11, 12, or 14 hour days and never get ahead? Do you believe that the more tasks you physically do yourself, the greater your chances are you can inspire your staff to do more? And then, do you ask yourself over and over why no one seems to be working as hard or caring as much as you? One reason for your frustration might just be your own behavior. If you are running around like a chicken with its head cut off, scurrying from task to task, often shifting direction with no notice and...