LeaderSavers

Stir the Soup

A recent reading of Jon Gordon’s delightful and thought-provoking book, Soup, brought to mind some important points to remember about being a leader.  Gordon’s easy, story-telling style packs a lot of good points to ponder in a small package, and it’s well worth reading and thinking about how you “stir the soup.”

 

The Grindstone

When you put your nose to the grindstone rough

And keep it down there long enough,

In time you will forget such things

As brooks that babble and birds that sing.

And then, in time, the story goes,

These will all your world compose:

Yourself, the grindstone ... and your poor old nose!

(found on a trailside sign in Walnut Canyon, Arizona)

Is It Leadership - or Leader?

A recent discussion on a LinkedIn group about leadership prompted more than 150 comments at last count.  So many good ideas, suggestions, and food for thought!  What struck me was the number of responses that dealt with leadership rather than leaders.  What's the difference?

IT’S ABOUT TIME!

Most of us these days worry about time.  We’re OK when the plane departs on time, but we fuss when it is 10 minutes late.  Our doctor’s appointment is at 9:30, but we are annoyed when we don’t get called into the exam room until 9:55 – on a good day.  Well, it’s about time!

Which Way Is Up?

Picture yourself as an astronaut floating in the zero gravity of outer space.  Your feet point toward the floor of the command module, but your fellow astronaut’s feet point toward the window.  Which way is really up when your “up” is the other’s “down”?

The secret to getting the best from your team...

If you want to get the best from your team for any of these reasons:

·         The number of people on your team has been reduced, yet you’re expected to produce the same or better results

·         Your team is not producing the results that are expected from you and your team, and you’re concerned that your superiors and peers are not going to be happy about that

·         Your team squabbles with one another and you’d like to lead a team that performs like a well-oiled machine or well-tuned orchestra

 

Then, pull up a chair, pick up the phone, and let’s talk.  I’d like to help you get the best from your team by offering you a special one-on-one Modern Leadership Mastery Coaching Session.  It’s confidential and complimentary.

Thoughts on Leadership

These "Thoughts on Leadership" were presented at a meeting of Delta Kappa Gamma, an international educational society for women, by a long-time friend, Barbara Chinworth, whose thoughts are reprinted here with her kind permission.

Leadership is a feather in one's cap ... or a pain in one's backside.

Leadership is on a moment's notice --- or for a term which can seem interminable.

Leadership is lonely ... but of necessity has a fellowship.

Leadership is an opportunity ... and an obligation.

How SMART Are Your Goals?

The idea of translating vague, general, lofty resolutions into clear and attainable goals has become near standard practice in many businesses.  Educational units, after years of fluff and puffery, are finally joining the parade.  Now, it’s time to get clearer on our personal resolutions and turn them into clear and attainable goals.  The SMART acronym refers to goals that are:

• Specific
• Measurable
• Attainable
• Realistic
• Tangible

Leading by Listening

How well do you listen – REALLY LISTEN – to the people you lead?  Do you hear what’s being said, or do you hear just what you want to hear?  Good leaders are good listeners.

 

Many people find it difficult to admit they don’t have all the answers.  Well, who does?  Good leaders listen.  Great leaders REALLY LISTEN – and they hear what’s being said and what’s NOT being said.

Kindness Isn’t Weakness

An interesting book by William Baker and Michael O’Malley caught my attention recently.  The book, Leading with Kindness, got me to thinking about leadership styles past and present.  The world of business tends to describe kind leaders as weak leaders, so developing kindness as a leadership trait doesn’t seem to be high on anyone’s priority list.  But maybe it should.