The Unspoken Leadership Skill You Need to Survive

 

By Samuel B. Bacharach

No matter how large or small your organization, your political skills play a critical role in your success as a leader.

Recently, I attended the Inc. 5000 conference, where I conducted a session on skills for moving an agenda. To open, I asked the group if any of them had good ideas that they’ve successfully implemented. One colleague and entrepreneur from Texas told the story of having a great idea, but not having talked to right people, and not having gained the right support.

More often than not, entrepreneurs fail not because of a lack of good idea, or even because of a lack of resources. Leaders fail because they have not honed their political competence. For the past generation, we’ve talked all about “leadership,” but political skills are only politely whispered about, if they are mentioned at all.

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Learning Is the Most Celebrated Neglected Activity in the Workplace

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

Take a Look at Yourself in the Leadership Mirror

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

VP/SVP Sales – Insurance

Our Client is a leading global Business Process Management (BPM) company. They offer business value to 200+ global clients by combining operational excellence with deep domain expertise in key industry verticals, including Banking and Financial Services, Healthcare, Insurance, Manufacturing, Media and Entertainment, Consulting and Professional Services, Retail & Consumer Packaged Goods, Telecom and Diversified Businesses, Shipping and Logistics, Travel and Leisure and Utilities. They deliver an entire spectrum of business process management services.

Role and Responsibilities: The VP/SVP Sales is an individual contributor responsible for developing new logo sales in the US for the Life & Annuities and/or Property & Casualty segments. Continue reading

Leadership Is A Process, Not A Position

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