Today a combined Reading for Leading and LeadingX2 (leading by two). I will keep this reasonably short by introducing a topic, two steps, and then continuing next week. In any strong partnership there come times when you need to “clear the air.” Your partner cuts you off while you’re speaking (again), or cuts … Continued
This past week seemed to rival if not surpass the divisive madness that followed Trump’s election, or the intense emotion of the hanging chads after the Bush-Gore election. I offer a big picture and an observation of some truly amazing everyday leadership. Big picture. We all need to take it down a notch! Our feelings … Continued
I approach this column as perhaps the “most” I have written in 20 years. It’s most important. Most controversial. Most already-written about. And most tricky. I am writing about Mr. Kavanaugh and Ms. Blasey Ford. What’s tricky? Well, first what lens will I use, and will you agree to see through it? The fact is … Continued
3 quick stories of leadership with the same moral – and music – to the stories. “Men and women on the street” was a favorite segment on my radio show Everyday Leadership. Problem was none of my student assistants wanted to put a microphone in front of unsuspecting people in parks, at the mall, on … Continued
In Washington DC and the State of Washington, we saw some crazy border crossings last week. Some people led, literally, got out in front, and flouted rules, laws and conventional wisdom. Risky stuff. Maybe stupid. Maybe wrong. Have your views, but stay with me for a minute and try to forget the political issues to … Continued
I offer three resources today for leading the leader. Yes, you leading you. Jennifer and I ran a half marathon on Saturday. The field was sparse. Jen had literally left me in the dust, and I was on my own. I, poorly conditioned, heard the usual chorus of voices in my head pointing out what … Continued
Maybe it’s not just us humans. “Monkey see. Monkey do,” we used to say to each other as kids. But as humans, we can raise our leadership skills by reflecting on those who excel at it. The passing of John McCain has set many to ask, “just what should we take away from such an … Continued
[Approximately twice a month I will be focusing Read2Lead on the specific context of LeadingX2.] Every manager has the capacity with every direct report to build a relationship in which the two: “lead by two.” The advantages of turning a direct report into a peer are enormous: the “lower” person is set free to invent, … Continued
Soul Searching: Do You Lead – Are You a Leader? I’d like to explore the distinction, as a way of getting you to think about your fundamental attitudes at work, in community, and at home. I am 99% sure that everyone who reads this blog leads, and I wonder if it would help if they-you … Continued
It’s pretty inescapable that individuals as leaders, and organizations as leaders . . . stretch. A couple examples. Amazon the ultimate elastic company just keeps stretching with almost daily experimentation – from incorporating Whole Foods to continually new advertising on its boxes to Prime Day (I was a victim of this modern day variant of … Continued