I'm finding it hard to keep an open heart these days. On so many important issues, people are more polarized than I could ever have imagined. The chasm appears to be growing ever wider and deeper. The world feels scarier and even more unpredictable than ever. “Conventional wisdom” is no longer a trustworthy indicator of how events will play out.
Who Wants to Leap Out of Bed Without an Alarm?
Do you have a fascination with morning routines? I’m always curious about how people use the first hour(s) of their day. Until COVID, I didn’t have a real routine…
What gets you out of bed in the morning? Here are some possibilities:
You’ve hit the “snooze” button on your alarm clock three times and now you’ll have to sprint to catch your train.
Your first Zoom call is in 20 minutes and if you’re lucky, you’ll just have time to wash your face and arrange your hair. Thank goodness you’re wearing pjs with a collar!
You feel a sense of duty to your team, who’s been working on a big project that’s due on Friday and needs your approval to submit the project report.
Encouraging Reluctant Leaders
A reader sent me a question about reluctant leaders. That is, people who have expertise and experience to step up as leaders but who hesitate to do so.
He wrote, “I have two friends I believe should practice leadership but lack the courage or the energy for some reason. They are both in their fifties and at this point their profession needs them to share what they’ve learnt.”
He went on to describe leadership qualities he sees in each of them and some of the challenges in their professions that could use their leadership.
He concluded, “Any advice Deborah? Do you have a blurb in you to share about the reluctant leader?”
Remote Leadership Presence: Dos & Don'ts
Having trouble keeping people engaged and focused during endless video meetings? If so, you’re in good company. That often comes up in coaching sessions these days.
Read on for some “dos” and “don’ts” of remote leadership presence that I’ve gathered during the last year. Chances are, there’s at least one thing you can start doing and one thing you can stop doing. I’ve certainly learned a lot about the subject.
"Life as Coach": How to Grow as a Leader with 3 Simple Practices
I am all for investing in in-depth leadership development. This is one of my main passions in life. In fact, I’d almost rather take a course that helps me grow as a leader than take a vacation.
But there are times when formal leadership development might not be a top priority.
That doesn't mean you have to give up developing. Using a "life as coach" approach, you can still grow by using your day to day experiences as a springboard. Sound intriguing? Read more for simple practices to keep growing even in the most challenging times.
Leadership Potential: Do You Know It When You See It?
As a leader, you only have so much time to spend mentoring others. But it can be difficult to figure out who to invest in.
Wouldn’t it be great to have a reliable way to identify someone with leadership potential? Someone you can invest your time and expertise in with the confidence that he or she will thrive?
Well, obviously there are no guarantees. People’s lives have a way of playing out in their own way. But there are some ways to increase the odds of making a good investment.
Want to Retire Confident Your Work is in Good Hands?
Leading with an Open Heart
I'm finding it hard to keep an open heart these days. On so many important issues, people seem more polarized than I could ever have imagined. It seems that the chasm is rapidly growing wider and deeper. The world feels scarier and even more unpredictable than ever. “Conventional wisdom” is no longer a trustworthy indicator of how events will play out.
Want People to Listen Better When You Speak?
Necessity is the Mother of Innovation
Your Leadership Story
Leaders in every arena need a personal and coherent story that describes their views on what leadership is and what leaders do.
You might argue that you know it when you see it. Sure, that’s possible. But that kind of intuitive leadership leaves you without adequate tools to deepen your own practice or to communicate your approach to others.
Telling Your Story: Fake it Till You Make It
Anybody who follows my blog knows I’m interested in how introverts can hone their leadership style. If connection is the “special sauce” of leadership, then it’s essential to do so in a way that’s authentic to you. Short of a total personality change, what can reserved people do to amp up the connection?
Making a Connection: Easier Than You Think
How Great Leaders Think: The Art of Reframing by Lee Bolman and Terry Deal
I'm reposting a beautifully written review by Michael Sales of an excellent and important book by two widely recognized consultants, researchers, and theorists in the Organizational Learning Field.
Leadership for Introverts
Do You Have a Model of Leadership?
Last week a coaching client told me he was in the process of creating a model of leadership for himself in the context of working on professional development goals in several key areas: creativity, proactive communication and strategic leadership.
His model emerged as we discussed what he specifically wanted to accomplish in each area.