Because we live in a hyper busy world, chock full of important and not-so-important distractions, we are constantly looking for a way to keep our heads above the tsunami of stuff. Because so much of this busyness is driven by our work lives, I have given the phenomenon a name- “organizational A.D.D.” Unfortunately, this form of A.D.D. is not treatable with meds and so we go in search of some other “holy grail” to make it better. Hence the never ending quest for “time management.” (more…)
My last post discussed the changing requirements for leadership as you move up the organization ladder. The skills and behaviors that work so well at lower levels, or in different circumstances, can become impediments at higher levels or when the job focus is different. Nowhere is this phenomenon more evident than in the realm of decision making. (more…)
People too often make the mistake of viewing the skills required to advance in an organization in much the same way they view the ascension itself, in a steadily upward course along a fairly predictable path. They figure out the behaviors and skills that pay dividends for them early in their career and they reason that if they just keep it up, their future is pretty much secure. Too bad it just doesn’t work that way. (more…)
Why are we all so busy all of the time? Exactly when in the modern epoch did it become necessary to look at our Blackberry to know when to go to the dentist, or our kid’s ballgame, or on vacation? Why do so many people wear their overstressed lives on their chests like some workaholic badge of honor? (more…)
It is simply impossible to be a great leader without being at least a good listener. A leader needs to understand what makes their people tick. What motivates and demotivates them. Where the land mines are planted. What obstacles need to be removed for them to achieve the mission that matters. What inspires them to do what they didn’t believe was possible. This kind of listening requires two things- a broad constituency and unfiltered messages. (more…)
