Lives of Leaders
Follow this link to learn about inspiring, forward thinking and transformational leaders. Leaders were asked a set of questions, starting with “what are three words that describe your leadership style?”
Off the Shelf
Click here for recent book reviews and recommendations.
Passion, commitment, courage
Ka Hsaw Wa b 1970, Rangoon, Burma As Executive Director of Earthrights International, Ka Hsaw Wa works for environmental and human rights by combining international legal action, grass roots training and advocacy campaigns. 1. What are three words that best describe your ... read more
The Importance of Getting Beneath Our Common Ground
At two separate retreats this week I had the powerful experience – and the privilege – of being with groups as they got to know each other on a deeper level than they had before. These were people who in ... read more
Top ten reasons managers don’t have regular, productive conversations with their staff about performance
Whether or not you believe that annual performance reviews should happen at all, everyone agrees that they are not the time or place to hear about performance issues for the first time. So why don’t managers talk to their staff ... read more
Throw out the Praise Sandwich and other ways to improve your feedback
I was having coffee with Laura, a middle school teacher, when she told me she couldn’t remember a time when her administrator had pointed out something she had done well. She only ever heard from him when she made a mistake. “I ... read more
Obama’s Brain Scientists
The day before the election, my son Daniel (16) and I volunteered at the Obama campaign offices. Our job was to call Virginia voters who usually don’t vote (or answer the phone, apparently) and encourage them to get to the ... read more
Responsible Delegation
We've all heard the expression, “Give me a fish and I’ll eat for a day, teach me how to fish and I’ll eat for a lifetime.” Learning is good, but so is being on the hook for delivering results. ... read more
Fresh memories
Last week I was being introduced as the facilitator at a two day leadership team retreat when someone mentioned he had read a speech I had given about the need for labor law reform. I was immediately transported to two ... read more
Stop setting New Year’s resolutions!
A couple of years ago I stopped making New Year’s resolutions altogether. Better to have not tried – I reasoned – than to have tried and failed on cue. That’s when I began to notice that there is an entire ... read more
Is gossiping a comfort food?
Nothing like thanksgiving to remind us that not all food that tastes good is good for us. Yes, in the aftermath of our national celebration of gluttony, I am reflecting on the feel good and ultimately unattractive nature of gossiping. ... read more
Embracing followers as equals
At the OD Network conference this week, we heard Chris Worley from Pepperdine University talk about organization development and how the role of the consultant is changing. He said that we need to support organizations in becoming more adaptive and ... read more