Leaders say a lot about themselves
Whenever you speak as a leader, you reveal a lot about yourself. As you may have often heard me say, words matter to leaders. Why? Because they speak volumes about you. They reveal your leadership capability (so much so that it can even be measured); your cognitive capability (enough to identify the stratum you’re operating […]
Hey leader, it’s not just about you.
It’s not about you. Well, not just about you. If you’re managing a team or an entire organization, you know this. But it’s even more true if you’re leading. And yes, there is a difference. As a leader, you’re challenging the status quo – what is now – with what could be, should be or must […]
Are they responding to your leadership?
Do you know exactly how you need them to respond before you open your mouth to speak? If not, just like Alice, you’ll end up somewhere. But is it where your leadership initiative needs to be? Every time you speak, you have an opportunity to advance what matters to your leadership. Your communication therefore has […]
The Secret to Navigating Change
I spent several months living and working in Copenhagen this summer, and it’s given me new insights on navigating change. I’ve long known that a lot of change — most change, in fact – in organizations fails. The stats say as much as almost 80%. That’s pretty dismal. So I devote my services to helping […]
Can They Really Hear You?
When you speak to others, it’s easy to assume that if they’re listening, they can hear you. But that’s not always the case. In fact, more often than not they don’t hear you. They can’t. It’s not about volume. Shouting will make absolutely no difference – except to possibly foment dislike and disrespect for you […]
They Can’t See What You See.
As a leader, you have a super power. You can see what others cannot. Yet. It’s partly because you’re distinct in and of yourself. You’re a unique blend of experiences through which you developed particular mastery. That gives you insight that others may not have. Plus you have a distinct vantage point from which to […]
Why don’t they get it?
You say it. But they don’t get it. So you repeat it again, hoping that this time it will register. And it still doesn’t. It is frustrating in and of itself. But it’s also one of the single greatest impediments to effective leadership. Because if they don’t get it, they will not respond. And response […]
Leaders can’t afford to offend
I may be stepping into a minefield here… I was having coffee with a friend who was about to leave her position as Chief Human Resource Officer. We were talking about all the changes we’re seeing in organizations these days. Being very familiar with my work, particularly my diagnostic, she cautioned me that the language […]
It’s time to raise women’s voices, not lower them.
On behalf of women, and all of the exceptional women leaders I know, enough is enough! Misperceptions of a woman’s voice need to be pitched. Yesterday, I received two different emails saying that in order to be heard, you have to lower the pitch of your voice. One said that “If you lower your pitch, […]
Does your leadership sound distinct?
Next time you speak to any group, big or small, be sure you say what only you can say. If you can hand off that communication to anyone else on your team, it is just not good enough. What you say as a leader should be distinct. It’s your opportunity to express yourself in the […]