Category: Leadership
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SHOW UP AND BE THE DIFFERENCE-MAKER
The emerging form of leadership in our fast-paced, hectic world is counter-cultural – MINDFULNESS…being attentive, focused, responsive and clear. Unfortunately, too many times it is the opposite. Here’s an example from a Human Resources manager: “I attended a mandatory meeting of salaried employees at my company. There were about forty people in the audience. The…
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SERVANT-LEADERSHIP
This Fall term at Rollins. I am launching a new course….Servant-Leadership. While the idea of servant leadership goes back at least two thousand years, the modern servant leadership movement was launched by Robert K. Greenleaf in 1970 with the publication of his classic essay, The Servant as Leader. It was in that essay that he…
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LESS IS MORE: GET TO THE POINT
I recently attended a meeting in which the purpose was for the senior leader to listen to ideas of others on his proposal. Unfortunately, one person dominated the time with an endless flow of personal opinion. Because of this long windedness, others were unable to give their input. As the talkative member continued, I…
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LEADERSHIP IS ‘WRITING ON A BLANK SHEET OF PAPER’
Several years ago, I had the honor of interviewing Millard Fuller on the topic of leadership and listening. Millard founded Habitat for Humanity International in 1976 and served in executive roles until 2005. Through his stellar leadership, Habitat grew into a worldwide Christian housing ministry and in 1996, former U.S. President Bill Clinton awarded Fuller…
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LISTENING LEADERS TAKE NOTES
A fundamental tool for listening leaders is taking notes. Although you may periodically take notes when you are on the phone or in meetings, the majority of leaders normally do not take written notes. The following 6 suggestions are designed to help you improve your note-taking ability: 1. Be prepared and decide whether or…
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NO BEAT, NO RHYTHM, NO CONSISTENCY
In the film Mr. Holland’s Opus, music teacher Mr. Holland worked relentlessly in helping student Lou Russ, the state wrestling champion, to find the beat on the bass drum so that he would be able to pass the band course. No beat, no pass…. it’s as simple as that. Eventually, Lou found the beat and,…
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LEAD LIKE A THERMOSTAT
Leaders don’t just take the temperature of their team or their organization, they control it. A thermometer takes the temperature; a thermostat regulates it. So goes the life of an effective leader, otherwise known as….the thermostat. To create change, you have to control the temperature. There are 2 primary tasks: RAISE THE HEAT: So people…
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FACE CONFLICT HEAD ON – PUT THE BUBBLES ON THE TABLE
Conflict between individuals is an unavoidable part of working life. However, the way disputes are managed will determine whether there is positive resolution or damaging fallout for both employees and the organization. Studies reveal that over 65% of performance problems result from strained relationships between employees. There are a few common strategies that people typically…
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THE ‘EYES’ HAVE IT
I have asked hundreds of leaders the question….”Who is the best listener you know and what are they doing to be the best listener?” In the culture of North America, the number one response is EYE CONTACT. My best listener looks at me when they listen. In a May 28, 2013 article in The Wall…
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SERVANT-LEADERS ARE LISTENING LEADERS
Over 40 years ago, Robert Greenleaf coined the idea of servant-leadership in the workplace in his book, The Servant as Leader. Today, there continues to be a ‘quiet’ revolution in workplaces around the world based on the work of this insightful thought leader. Listening is at the center of this movement. At its core, servant…