Staying quiet and nodding your head is not enough! In order to be an effective, active listener we need to listen purely for comprehension – without an agenda! Wow – that is not easy. But it is important. Research shows that people who engage in active listening are considered to be more trustworthy, competent, and likable. Here are some excellent thoughts from Amy … [Read more...] about Improve Your Active Listening
SWOT Your Personal Goals
Do you have a big personal goal that you don’t know how to achieve? SWOT it! SWOT is not just for organization strategy. First, imagine yourself accomplishing this new, big goal. (Check here to learn more about The Power of Goalsetting.) Next – with that goal in mind – ask yourself: What Strengths do I have that can help me achieve that goal? Don’t list all of … [Read more...] about SWOT Your Personal Goals
Get the Best Ideas from Your Team
You have an amazing, brilliant team! How do nurture the best ideas from them? First, create a safe environment and a trusting culture for your team. Role model this by being honest and respectful. Once you have a trusting team, then you can set the norm of “constructive conflict” in which people are expected to respectfully debate ideas. These are bedrock actions … [Read more...] about Get the Best Ideas from Your Team
Humble Leadership
Some people will think that “humble leadership” is a contradiction in terms. The stereotype that some have about a “leader” is that they are all about themselves, self-absorbed, and boastful. While there are certainly leaders like that, many of us don’t believe that it is what “true” leadership is all about. Jim Collins called it “Level 5” leadership in his excellent … [Read more...] about Humble Leadership
Top Qualities of Successful Leaders
What does it take to be an excellent leader? People have been opining about this for centuries and there are literally more than one thousand definitions of leadership – each with their own data set and perspective. My view is – read about the different perspectives and take what resonates with you. Here is a recent list from an article in Harvard Business Review. I … [Read more...] about Top Qualities of Successful Leaders