Being a Successful Leader

In this the final episode in the series we discuss Dimensions of Success. For the final episode I have designed a model that not only serves as a nice way to summarize our journey together, but can also serve as a continuing resource for you. The post Dimensions of Success appeared first on WebTalkRadio.net .

In this episode we draw upon the complementary work of two prominent researchers and authors in the area of leadership and human effectiveness. They stress the importance of being a net giver over a net taker in achieving success, in leadership and in life. The post Leader as Giver, not Taker appeared first on WebTalkRadio.net .

In choosing your new associate, be it an outside hire or an internal selection, you have used a targeted selection process, such as we have discussed, to assure a good position fit. A good fit between the position requirements and the person's qualifications. Now it is time to make sure the two of you get off to a good […] The post Coaching Your New Associate appeared first on WebTalkRadio.net .

In this episode we build on the Action Planning or Project Planning process discussed earlier in this series and in my book Making and Fulfilling Your Dreams as a Leader; Some additional structure and concepts are added to help you successfully plan and manage your larger projects. The post Planning and Managing Your Larger Projects appeared first on WebTalkRadio.net .

The traditional performance review or appraisal is an annual ritual dreaded by both the leader=manager and the associate. Fortunately it is dying a slow death. Emerging in its place is a modern process called Continuous Performance Management. In this series we have discussed the key elements to make Continuous Performance Management work for you. We review these elements in this episode. The post...

Most people, if they understand what is expected, will strive to meet shared expectations by exercising self-control. But occasionally there will be situations where you will need to as a leader-manager apply external control when appropriate self-control is not exist. This is where constructive discipline comes in. The two occasions when constructive discipline is appropriate are; […] The post Co...

As a leader you need to be aware of the elements that go into designing and implementing training that can produce real world learning and application for the participants. In this episode we discuss the process for designing and implementing such results based training.   The post Results Based Training appeared first on WebTalkRadio.net .

As an organization evolves and moves through the various stages of organizational growth there will be an occasional need to modify its organizational structure. In this episode we discuss organizational principles that serve to guide organization design. We also discuss a practical and proven process to help you and your leadership team engage in quality […] The post Organization Design appeared...

To be successful, and perhaps survive, an organization cannot stand still. Maintaining the status quo is not an option. Growth not necessarily in size, although such growth may be necessary, but in getting better at what it does. In this episode we discuss the stages of organizational growth and the strategic implications of each stage. The post Stages of Organizational Growth and Strategic Implic...

The Gap Analysis tool is great for facilitating quality thinking and interacting when contemplating making an important organizational transition. Other tools can also be used in conjunction with Gap Analysis, enhancing its value. As a leader, you need to be familiar with this planning tool and use it with your leadership team in making important organizational transitions. The post The Gap Analys...

My book Leadership Begins with You, and several episodes in the series, help you to discover the real you by surfacing your subconscious tendencies, priorities, and preferences. This episode provides additional guidance to help you to increase your self-awareness. It takes you through two powerful exercises relative to thinking about your life story. These exercises can provide […] The post Tellin...

In the last episode, Meetings, Damn Meetings, we discussed ways you can enhance the productivity of your meetings, especially staff meetings, by effectively planning, conducting, and following up on your meetings. In this episode we discuss one-on-one meetings. A highly recommended practice that can yield high returns for you and each of your direct associates. The post One-on-One Meetings appeare...

Meetings are neither bad nor good. They just are. But meetings are generally dreaded by many people. The problem is that they are poorly planned and conducted. This is unfortunate in that a well-managed meeting can be a vital conduit for leadership and management problem solving, decision-making, action planning, and communications. In this episode we […] The post Meetings, Damn Meetings appeared...

The previous episode concluded a four-part mini-series  focusing on leader-manager decision-making approaches or options when interacting with the organization or immediate reports. The four episodes were: Approaches to Managing; Leader-Manager Decision-Making Options; Using the Collaborative Decision-Making Option; and, The Art of Delegating.. This episode serves a corollary to the previous episo...

This episode is the final of a four-part mini-series focusing on leader-manager decision-making interactions with associates. The first episode in this mini-series described what I call Approaches to Managing . The second episode looked at specific Leader-Manager Decision-Making Options when working with associates. The third episode focused on the Collaborative Decision-Making option. This final...

Collaborative decision-making. This is the third of four episodes in a mini-series relative to leader-manager decision-making interactions with associates. The first episode was Approaches to Managing. The second was Using the Various Leader-Manager Decision-Making Options. And the final of the four episodes in this mini-series will be The Art of Delegating. The three leader-manager decision-makin...

In the previous episode we discussed four approaches to managing your organization. The approaches being: Manager as Doer/Technician; Manager as Conductor; Manager as Coach; and, Manager as Working Leader. In this episode we move from general approaches to managing the organization or organizational unit, to discussing leader-manager options in interacting with your individual associates in […] Th...

In this episode we look at four general approaches to managing. There is no one best approach. The most appropriate approach depends on the situational variables at play. We will discuss each of these four approaches in some detail, as well as the situational variables. Also the importance for you as a leader-manager to diagnose just what approach […] The post Approaches to Managing appeared first...

In this episode I discuss a conceptual framework for thinking about and optimizing your potential. My thinking was sparked by Adam Grant's new book Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things. Based on research, he posits that growth is not so much about the talent or genius you possess, but the character you develop to advance that […] The post Cognitive Skills and Character Skills...

As a leader it is important to find your voice, and use it. As previously discussed, one of the essential leadership practices is to Model the Way. And in so doing to find and use opportunities to deliver powerfully articulated messages relative to your organization's Identity and Direction. In this episode we lay out a […] The post Your Leadership Voice appeared first on WebTalkRadio.net .

The topic of our last episode was The Characteristics of Admired Leaders. Research tells that honesty consistently rates the highest as the most admired characteristic. In discussing honesty, I made mention of vulnerability. And that vulnerability is not something to be avoided as a leader, but rather a characteristic that earns respect. I would like to go into a little more […] The post Vulnerabi...

Researchers have long since given up on a quest to discover the great leader mold. The so-called "Great Man Theory." No such mold exists. Leadership requirements are too highly contextual, situational, and changing to try and cast an ideal mold. But some solid research has identified some of the key attributes of admired leaders, regardless of the variables. […] The post Characteristics of Admired...

As we look at various aspects of leadership, the behaviors of the amateur and the professional leader are distinctively different. And the mental models, that is, the attitudes, assumptions, and values that drive these behaviors, are, expectantly, quite different. The post Contrasting the Amateur and the Professional Leader appeared first on WebTalkRadio.net .

In addition to being a Self-Aware and Skillful Leader, as discussed in my book, Leadership Begins with You, you need to commit to taking care of yourself so you are ready and able to be at your best in being a professional leader. Toward that end, in the previous episode we discussed Life Balance. We reviewed a process […] The post Staying Fit: Some Sense Wellness Practices appeared first on WebTa...

In addition to discovering the real you and mastering the critical leadership interpersonal competencies, as discussed in my book, Leadership Begins with You: Being a Self-Aware and Skillful Leader, you need to commit to taking care of yourself so you can be ready and able to be the best you can as a professional leader. In […] The post Staying Fit: Life Balance appeared first on WebTalkRadio.net...