We all know that when visions are discussed, there is often a reference to the word imagination. You have probably heard the adage, “you have to imagine the future before you can create it.” If you are an aspiring leader and need some exposure to some great imagination, I have a recommendation for you. I [Read More]
Integrity is Alive
November 9, 2011 by Leave a Comment
I was recently working in a national security facility and witnessed a terrific example of integrity. I was escorted into a highly restricted area by a couple of staff members. As I was almost through the card and password controlled gate, one of my escorts remembered to verify if I had a cell phone on [Read More]
The Exaggeration of Conflict
October 24, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Occasionally I work with teams where there is a personal conflict among two or more of the members. There are a number of reasons for the conflict, more often differences of opinions than outright animosity toward each other. But the all too common result is that one or both seem to be more intent on [Read More]
Be Careful of Catchy Slogans
September 29, 2011 by 1 Comment
For some reason, I like to examine statements for their potential mixed messages. Corporate slogans or platitudes are examples which often get my attention. Two of my favorites are “the customer is always right” and “our associates are our most important asset.” They both sound positive and affirming, but unfortunately they are a bit deceptive [Read More]
A Great Leadership Principle
September 12, 2011 by 8 Comments
During our residential version of The Leadership Challenge® Workshop, we utilize a high ropes challenge course, to help cement the lessons around experimenting and taking risks, coaching and encouraging, challenging preconceived beliefs, and other important leadership behaviors. Recently a young man attended, who openly admitted having a severe fear of heights. Yet, he still participated, [Read More]
The Rehab of Leadership Practice
August 28, 2011 by Leave a Comment
A friend and I were kibitzing recently about physical therapy and a great lesson about leadership development emerged. He ask his therapist, if while strengthening his shoulder and knee, there was anything he could do to tighten up that well-known “middle-aged spread,” with which so many of us are too familiar. To his surprise, he [Read More]
Truth or Convenience
August 17, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Ever hear a manager remark, “my people don’t have to like me, they just have to respect me.” This particular quip stirs up a couple of question for me. First, I wonder how possible it is to actually respect someone you don’t like. Do you hear other people say that, “so and so is a [Read More]
Why Aren’t There New Ideas?
August 8, 2011 by Leave a Comment
I frequently hear managers tell me that new ideas are simply not bubbling up in their groups. My experience has shown that there are usually a couple of culprits. One, when people are simply too overwhelmed with work and change, the surfacing of new ideas can easily be turned off. Survival becomes the name of [Read More]
Lessons from The Leadership Challenge Forum
July 31, 2011 by Leave a Comment
This past week, a couple hundred people met just off the Magnificent Mile in Chicago to learn more about the Magnificent Methodology of leadership development called The Leadership Challenge. Those of you with whom we at ILA work are quite familiar with this body of work. Thought you might appreciate a quick summary of powerful lessons from [Read More]
Who Cares Enough?
July 25, 2011 by 1 Comment
I had several people comment on our previous blog (Little Things), that in their opinions, organizations simply don’t care very much anymore about their customers. Organizations frequently say they care, but the customer experience is often a different story. Saying you care is pretty easy, but by itself only sets the table to disappoint others [Read More]
