This was originally published on July 16, 2012 Friends, The Greeks had the most instructive villains who spoke to our human foibles. Many of their names and myths live on, and they still reveal the ways our character and leadership can go awry. Narcissus – whose name lives on – was in love with himself … Continued
This was originally published on March 27, 2011 Friends, If you’ve been with me the past few weeks, you know I’ve been writing about the notion of “presence.” I’ve been suggesting that we can understand this unusual concept, and that as “everyday leaders” we can not only understand it, but practice and develop it. Often … Continued
Friends, Almost every leader’s biggest challenge is unleashing initiative. If it’s not getting people to initiate and generate, then it’s getting people to initiate work with others. Parents, bosses, presidents, principals? They’re all trying to light fires and increase people’s capacity to work together and work out problems. What’s THE biggest obstacle to people … Continued
Ivana, a former law student of mine, gave me this week’s “Reading for Leading story,” while we were having a drink to celebrate numerous goals that she had recently completed. She told me how another student approached her and asked why she always has a smile on her face. She told him, “I believe Happiness … Continued
I continue my brief sabbatical with the “best of” Reading for Leading. This one is from the Fall (campaign of 2008). Although it may seem crazier than then, because everyone seems “mad as hell,” but I WILL be bullish on America until I die, because it’s a democracy, after all. I love it! A few … Continued
I originally published this column in 2008 and got almost 80 reader responses. Thought it worth sharing with some minor revisions… Do you make anything of this? Last Monday I wrote about “managing up.” I got only 4 blog comments, three of which were random attacks on the Governor that were unrelated to my column. … Continued
What does this say to you? Abraham Lincoln had only about a year of formal schooling. George Washington was schooled by his father, until the latter died when Washington was eleven years old. His schooling ended then. Our two greatest presidents – who led the country through its two most treacherous times – were both … Continued
Would you argue with me if I said that we have become a culture of whiners? Leaders — and of course I use that word not to refer to a position, but to a frame of mind and action — leaders don’t whine. And our world needs us to lead. Whining connotes powerlessness. And maybe … Continued
I led a workshop last week in San Francisco for the Institute for Management Studies, and I was reminded again about how bosses can make their people miserable. This is about how not to do that! Among the 40 or so participants there were about six ghosts, managers the participants had left behind at their workplaces, … Continued
I am guessing that you did not notice that I first published last week’s “Reading for Leading” about Dr. King in January of 2007. (I updated one line about Black Lives Matter.) Many of you weren’t even getting “Reading for Leading” in 2007. I am coming upon my 16th anniversary of birthing RFL (God … Continued