Why The Best Leaders View Vulnerability as a Strength

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by Jim Haudan, CEO with special contribution by Katharine Lind, Root Inc.

Howard Shultz, CEO of Starbucks, once said, “The hardest thing about being a leader is demonstrating or showing vulnerability… When the leader demonstrates vulnerability and sensibility and brings people together, the team wins.”

Almost everyone seems to think that being vulnerable is a bad thing – it implies that you’re weak or defenseless. In fact, when someone is willing to admit they’re vulnerable, it demonstrates a level of trust and respect with the person or people they’re opening up to. Great leaders recognize the importance of bringing vulnerability to work because it is the foundation for open and nonjudgmental communications. The boldest act of a leader is to be publicly vulnerable. Continue reading →

To Build Your Strongest Team, Don’t Hire Your Clones

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Paul Whiteby Paul White

Many developing leaders start out with the goal of making an army of workers and junior leaders who are like the clone armies from the last set of Star War movies – where every soldier looks and acts the same as the leader they were created to emulate.  Sounds cool, and boosts your ego, but it is not a very effective strategy for developing a healthy team of employees and supervisors who can accomplish significant goals.

Why?  Because no one is all-knowing and has all the skills necessary to individually complete all aspects of the business (and even if you do, you will eventually hit the limits of your time and energy as the business grows.) Even if you have a group of “mini-you’s”, you will limit what your business can accomplish. Continue reading →

How Leaders Can Develop Confidence in Themselves and Their Employees

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By Dr. Martin Turner and Dr. Jamie Barker

The key to performing well under pressure is no great secret. When leaders have the personal resources to meet (or even exceed) the demands in a given situation, they thrive when it matters most. These resources include unshakable self-confidence, controlling the ‘controllables’, and a focus on what can be gained rather than lost.

 

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First Things First: How to Prioritize and Really Get Things Done

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Avatar of Glen Stansberryby Glen Stansberry

Stephen Covey’s timeless “Big Rocks” principle can ensure you’re getting the important tasks done every day. Here are 5 practical ways to use this idea to become your most productive self.
Most of us have likely heard at least a variation of the “Big Rocks” principle made famous by author and educator Stephen Covey in his book, First Things First. The Big Rocks principle says that you choose a few “big rocks” each day to work on first, so you’re sure to get the important stuff done. The rest of your time can be used for smaller tasks to fill out the day. (Here’s a visual representation of the concept.) It’s how you ensure you’re always getting the critical things completed. Continue reading →

What New Team Leaders Should Do First

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80-Carolyn_OHara by Carolyn O’Hara

Getting people to work together isn’t easy, and unfortunately many leaders skip over the basics of team building in a rush to start achieving goals. But your actions in the first few weeks and months can have a major impact on whether your team ultimately delivers results. What steps should you take to set your team up for success? How do you form group norms, establish clear goals, and create an environment where everyone feels comfortable and motivated to contribute? Continue reading →