How does your manager describe you? Words like action oriented, dependable, driven, and collaborative are all admirable. But to demonstrate you’re ready for next-level leadership, you need words like strategic, innovative, influential and resilient. It might seem like a subtle shift, but the potential impact on your career can be enormous. Know someone [...]
Have you ever noticed that almost all the coaching advice (solicited and unsolicited!) you receive is about how to deal with other people, workplace situations or a variety of outside factors that you don’t have direct control over? While this counsel is necessary and helpful, you may be looking for something that you have dominion [...]
While many professionals today have embraced the popular concept of the “authentic leader,” I often wonder whether that pendulum has swung too far to one side. In fact, this latest trend prompts me to think, “here we go again.” Authentic Leadership Don’t get me wrong; I think authenticity is an important attribute for leaders. It [...]
When Brad spoke during meetings, people listened. And I mean really paid attention—the set-down-your-coffee-and-stop-checking-Facebook kind of listening that’s usually reserved for announcements by top executives. Even though Brad was a mid-level manager, he was known for making observations or recommendations that invariably helped to solve pesky problems that had the rest of the team stumped. [...]
We see it happen in so many companies. Five or six mid-level managers all have about the same credentials and experience, but only a few of them seem to get more attention. And better projects. And greater opportunities. And the coveted promotions. On paper, these leaders look very similar. In reality, only a few of [...]
This is part of a series about the attributes and behaviors of professionals who have elevated their leadership impact and reached the next level of success. To read previous posts about next-level leadership, please click here. Her frustration was clearly visible. I was meeting with a coaching client, and she described the progress she had [...]
This is part of a series about the attributes and behaviors of professionals who have elevated their leadership impact and reached the next level of success. To read previous posts about next-level leadership, please click here. In my coaching sessions with leaders and high-potentials, I frequently hear comments like this: “My VP has asked me [...]
This is part of a series about the attributes and behaviors of professionals who have elevated their leadership impact and reached the next level of success. To read previous posts about next-level leadership, please click here. Today’s global economy calls for some serious staying power. Consider the diverse obstacles facing corporate employees: cost cutting, downsizing, [...]
This blog is part of a series profiling the key attributes of professionals who have elevated their leadership impact. Organizations that want to remain competitive are constantly looking to innovate and evolve. The burden of meeting that necessary yet frustrating goal falls on teams and individuals, so next-level leaders successfully weave innovation into the fabric [...]
In my work with leaders and high-potential groups, I’m often challenged to raise the bar by helping them develop a new brand of leadership. Not something that generates an incremental amount of improvement, but an innovative, game-changing approach that will take their companies to the next level with breakthrough performance. Achieving that kind of “leadership [...]