Learning Is the Most Celebrated Neglected Activity in the Workplace

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by Gianpiero Petriglieri

When I am invited to “teach leadership” to managers in corporations, I use the first few minutes to address the issue of where and how one learns to lead—and what gets in the way. I usually begin with a confession and a question.

My confession is always the same. That I am hoping to learn something from our encounter, brief as it may be, that I will remember and use. This is what I believe good leaders and good teachers have in common—the commitment to keep learning as they practice.

I have never met a manager who disagrees. Good leaders, they tell me, like good teachers, raise tough questions and make others feel stretched, empowered, inspired. Mediocre ones issue commands and make others feel overlooked, bored, underutilized. Continue reading →

Why I Connect With Strangers on LinkedIn

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Bresman Blog.jpgby Henrik Bresman

In online and real-world networking, the same principle applies: You never know when you might make a crucial connection.

Social networks are like any other social environment: No two have exactly the same standards of acceptable behaviour. For good reasons, most of us would think twice before granting a Facebook friend request from a stranger. And since the workplace tends to have more rigid social standards than other areas of life, people commonly assume that their cache of connections on LinkedIn – the leading internet venue for professional networking – should be similarly exclusive, if not more so. Continue reading →

Take a Look at Yourself in the Leadership Mirror

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By Manfred Kets de Vries

To gain a better understanding of your leadership strengths and weaknesses, take a look at yourself through the eyes of others.

How we see ourselves is often very different from how we appear to others. Actions we believe reflect decisive or confident characteristics may come across as controlling or arrogant while attempts at openness may be perceived as being indecisive or weak. Understanding how supervisors, co-workers, direct reports and clients perceive us can give valuable insights into our leadership behavior and help us become more effective leaders, better able to embrace and adapt to change. Continue reading →

Feeling Good Friday

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by Gayle Hilgendorff

About ten years ago (or was it fifteen?  I seem to take five years off of everything I remember to make me feel younger), back in my corporate executive days, the ‘Corporate Word of the Year’ was Paradigm.  You know what I mean, right?  Every year or so, the corporate world buzzes with some new word or phrase.  Laser Focus.  At the end of the day (add calming observation here…).  Synergy.  Disruptive Innovation.  Mindshare.  Shout them out – I’m sure you all know a few of them, including whatever word or phrase that is most popular right now.  Paradigm was used when talking about doing something differently.  “We have a new paradigm”.  “We need to consider a new paradigm”.  “Try to imagine a new paradigm.”  “Let’s create a new paradigm”.  “It’s a paradigm shift.” Continue reading →

Leadership Is A Process, Not A Position

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Brad Smith copyBy Brad Smith

Leadership is the key interpersonal role played by managers in organizations and is most critical for a CEO. As the highest-ranking officer in a corporation, the CEO is ultimately accountable for the outcome of all managerial decisions.

At this level, leadership requires motivating and managing all activities within a company to achieve desired strategic objectives, which benefit its overall performance. CEOs must inspire the trust, commitment and loyalty among subordinates, capturing workers’ enthusiasm and admiration. Continue reading →