Last week I was fortunate to return to Krakow, Poland to form part of an otherwise internal team providing a leadership conference for the large office based there. This follows closely on the heels of a well received leadership development programme I ran two months before with a delightful, engaging and highly intelligent group of [...]
From listening to much of the dialogue surrounding bankers and their bonuses it seems that huge amounts of money are the primary motivation tool - but what do we really know about the requirements of knowledge workers? In some research cited in the impressively revamped Harvard Business Review, Teresa Amabile and Steven Kramer reveal the [...]
This headline about the lack of trust for senior managers was published today as the result of a survey held by the Chartered Institute Of Personnel and Development. This quarterly survey of employee attitudes, explores the fast-changing world of work and emerging challenges for individuals, employers and policy-makers. It’s based on a representative sample of more [...]
As we enter a new year, indeed a new decade, it’s a great opportunity to consider how you can make the best of your impact and leadership of others. Those of you that know me will realise I’m not one for too much of a recipe approach, believing that you need to create new neural [...]
I often use a Muhammed Ali quote on our leadership programmes
“The fight is won far away from witnesses - behind the lines, in the gym and out on the road, long before I dance under the lights”
His thought was that your performance directly reflected the preparation you have put in - obvious no? Not [...]
Many people in leadership positions were originally appointed due to their technical skills and their individual capabilities, not for their natural abilities in collaborating and working well with others to achieve a result. A classic example would be Gordon Brown, the UK Prime Minister, who admits ”No doubt I have much to learn about a collective way [...]
For those who don’t know, Noorul was fired from the Apprentice in episode 6 despite a complete lack of either leadership or management from his team leader, the odious Ben. Although Nooral stood up to Ben’s latest superficial rant, Sugar dismissed Noorul as he hadn’t seen him contribute during any of the tasks and questioned [...]
Many of my clients are working on sophisticated talent management processes. The majority are doing splendid, useful work. However the attitudes and impressions of managers working the systems are equally important. Being able to withhold that instant decision making critique, which in some contexts is so useful, and challenge your own preconceptions are qualities I [...]
Once again the Apprentice last night brilliantly exhibited leadership styles in action - and the dangers of using an inappropriate style for the person involved and the situation. James’ team had to design and pitch a product relating to the fitness and leisure industry. Ben likes to work out, so was full of enthusiasm for the task and [...]
Tough times all around. Some participants on a recent programme I was running told stories of a senior manager telling them to stop laughing at the coffee machine – they were there to work – enjoying themselves and laughing are for in their free time. Is that right – especially during times of adversity?
Those colleagues [...]
