The Big Problem with Saying “If You Don’t Like It, Leave”
Just because a 40-ton excavator may have worked well on The Big Dig, that doesn’t mean you should use it to aerate the putting green. Leadership isn’t generalized.
Category: leadership
The Dirty Secrets About Micromanaging
There is a time and place for micromanaging. During significant change, like when a new leader or manager steps in, a direct report is new to a job, or when a big new initiative is being implemented, some level of micromanagement is often necessary. Managers and leaders are responsible for things like level-setting, compliance, efficiency, and just a basic understanding of what everyone does … Read More The Dirty Secrets About Micromanaging
Of Janitors and CEOs
Of all the pseudo-inspirational quotes out there, there are few I dislike more than the one that says something like “I was raised to treat the janitor with the same respect as the CEO.” Under what conditions would you need to make this proclamation? What is the objective here? It’s certainly not to make a statement about equity or respect. The point-of-view is first … Read More Of Janitors and CEOs
The Destructive Advisor: When a Leader’s Closest Ally is Her Undoing
Why do otherwise promising leaders hitch their wagon to an anchor? Being an effective and ethical leader is exhausting. It requires constant effort and a strong group of allies and advisors (i.e., other leaders). When you’re desperate or feel like you’re drowning and someone tosses you a rope, you can be so eager and grateful for the gesture that sometimes you don’t notice when … Read More The Destructive Advisor: When a Leader’s Closest Ally is Her Undoing
The Slow Boil: Why We Shouldn’t Shy Away from Politics When Discussing Leadership
Some people, I have found, are displeased when we mix politics with talk of leadership. Readers who feel this way, I surmise, just want to stay focused on what they know to be an important subject without having to wade through someone’s political opinions to get to the point. They want to be free to talk business and share knowledge of their profession without … Read More The Slow Boil: Why We Shouldn’t Shy Away from Politics When Discussing Leadership
