Many leaders I work with cycle through feeling frustrated, to crippled with self doubt, through to feeling elated. Our emotions are in constant flux. So are our teams, projects, and organisations. One leadership approach does not suit all times, the best and worst of them.
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Fit For the Future Leadership: From strategy to execution - what gets in our way?
I love a good strategy. All the bright, shiny hope and expectations of it all. Then we get to work and forget about it all. The daily grind takes over. Business as usual carries on, oblivious of our lofty ambitions. Why is there a massive gap between strategy and execution?
Read MoreFit For the Future Leadership: Three ways to make more time for strategic thinking
One of the things I’m hearing a lot from leaders is how much things have changed. We’re never going back to pre-pandemic ‘normal’. We’re in brave new territory. It’s intimidating. And exhilarating! So much opportunity! (along with all that threat). Most of the same leaders also acknowledge, somewhat sheepishly, they don’t do enough strategic thinking.
Read MoreFuture of Leadership: Explore Map ADAPT
A complex world needs adaptable, inclusive leaders - this is a skill we can develop with practice.
Read MoreFuture of Leadership: Explore Map Adapt - Three ways to map
Leadership for the future requires a deeper understanding of problems, possibilities and potential (of our people).
Read MoreFuture of Leadership: Explore Map Adapt - The practice of 'exploring'
The future of leadership needs adventurous explorers who are always learning and expanding their horizons.
Read MoreFuture of Leadership Trend: Distributed Everything - Are You Ready?
Distributed everything is an exciting trend that's full of potential. To make the most of it, leaders will need to work on communication and building connection.
Read MoreAdaptability: A Skill for Leaders of the Future
What’s beyond resilience? Adaptability. And we can flex this muscle through small, intentional changes.
Read More3 Habits for Leaders of the Future
When we are smarter about what goes in we can be smarter about what comes out! Here are three habits for leadership of the future that focus on consumption.
Read MoreOn Kindness and Self Doubt
In many conversations with leaders, I’ve noticed a common theme: self doubt is rife. Admitting self doubt sees shoulders slump, brows furrow. Somehow, we believe we have failed. Real leaders are confident! Charismatic! Capable! And for many, we fail to measure up. Let’s reframe self-doubt as something useful.
Read MoreTop 10 Tips for Building Autonomous Teams
Discover ten great leadership tips on how to build more autonomy in your teams. One of the things leaders I work with fantasise about is having teams be more independent, proactive, and forward thinking. Working with a team of leaders makes everything better! But there is so much that gets in the way: dependencies, approvals, unwillingness. Let’s get beyond that and build better teams.
Read MorePower and toxic leadership: how to avoid it
The war in Ukraine shows us one thing: abuse of power still runs rampant in leadership. It’s horrifying to witness. We were meant to be done with autocratic lethal nationalism. Yet here we are. Many of us watching would say, “I would never…” Or so we hope. Can we fall into power traps? The answer is ‘yes’. So let’s protect ourselves from ourselves with these vital strategies.
Read MoreThree essential habits for high performing leadership teams
Performance is crucial for every team. It’s how we measure progress in the game of work. Obsessing about the scoreline is not how we improve the play. It’s only by improving our habits, relationships, and systems that we can generate better results in the long run. High performing teams master these three elements, plus three critical habits. Read more in this month’s article.
Read MoreLeadership skills for dealing with change fatigue
With constantly changing conditions, change fatigue can set in. The good news is that there are certain leadership skills that will help you, and your team, avoid the calamity of change.
Read MoreOne leadership skill you can’t do without
Leadership skills range from emotional intelligence to critical thinking. Underpinning them all is this one: perspective. Here’s how to develop it.
Read MoreDo you struggle with people stuff?
Many leaders struggle with one aspect of people stuff: dealing with their supervisor. Since most leaders also supervise others, chances are their direct reports also struggle with them! But most of us tend to think we are doing ok as leaders and the fault lies with others. Maybe not. Maybe we need to look in the mirror first.
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Read MoreDo this one thing to be better at the people stuff
Why don’t they just get on and do their job? People stuff can be exasperating. Life would be so much easier if people just do what they’re told, to the level as expected, in a time frame that fits expectations. How often does this happen? Not often enough for people leaders to feel at ease with their direct reports.
It’s sad case of PICNIC - Problem In Chair, Not In Colleague. Any people problem should start with a solid look at oneself first. Thankfully there is a fundamental that you can turn to every time: read the manual.
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Read MoreLeadership principles for getting them to listen
There is nothing more frustrating than not being heard. Especially when we know we have something valuable to contribute. And that we’re likely right. We see others who disagree as set in their ways, oblivious to alternative points of view. How then do we get attention and get heard?
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Read MoreLeadership skills for successful strategic planning
It’s budget and strategic planning time. It’s when we put together our best guess at the future. And yet so many leaders miss critical pieces in their plan!
Why data is not enough to make decisions with
The 7 levels of leadership awareness
What questions to use to expand your strategic perspective
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Read MoreDon't get derailed: A leadership framework for difficult conversations
Emotions are a troublesome thing in difficult conversations. Rather than feeling boundless, we end up frozen, shut down, or worst - explosive. They lead us off track from the constructive progress we wanted to make in the first place.
Why catastrophising can be a useful approach
The wisdom of Petyr Baelish from Game of Thrones
3 steps to preparing for the worst
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