The cover story of the March issue of Harvard Business Review* is focused on Work-Life Balance, which – the executives surveyed by the authors – consider either a myth or elusive ideal. However, through the research these authors conducted of senior executives, some helpful ideas emerge. The overall theme of the research is that we each need to own making choices around our … [Read more...] about The Balanced Life Myth?
Leadership
The Dark Side of Confidence
Confidence is absolutely necessary to be a successful leader. And yet, gone too far, it can become arrogance and can lead to poor decisions – even disastrous decisions. How do we find a balance? One way to balance this is long term versus short term confidence. Long Term: “I am confident in . . . . . . the importance of our mission and the impact we make.” . . . the … [Read more...] about The Dark Side of Confidence
Experts Get Stuck in Status Quo
When you are stuck in the status quo there are a lot of things you miss. Opportunities are one of them. If you are sure that there is no better way of going about doing what you are doing, then you will for sure miss Opportunities. If you are an expert and you know that this certain way of doing things is the right way, then you will not see Opportunities for new ways to … [Read more...] about Experts Get Stuck in Status Quo
When Your CEO Retires
You are a Board member for a nonprofit and, at a regularly scheduled Board meeting, your CEO gives her two week notice. Even though she is 68 years old, you and other Board members are somehow shocked. I hope this does not happen to you or your organization, but it could. One reason is that many Boards and staff alike are in denial about leadership succession. They … [Read more...] about When Your CEO Retires
Five Management Fundamentals
It’s a sports cliché – because it is true, and it is true in the working world as well. Winners are the ones who get the fundamentals right. Management is complex, but here are the five fundamentals to make sure you get it right: Set Clear Expectations. It makes common sense and it is backed up by research (1). Make sure that your direct reports are perfectly clear on … [Read more...] about Five Management Fundamentals