Free leadership articles by Timothy Pascoe
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Leadership: twilight of the gods
published: 2009-03-09
Richard Wagner's Ring Cycle ends with Valhalla, the lofty abode of the gods, collapsing in flames into the rising tide of the River Rhine below. And the stolen gold, whose theft triggered the gods' downfall, sinks beneath the flood back into the hands of its rightful owners, the Rhine Maidens. It takes 15 hours (and four operas) to tell this story. And, it's all rather reminiscent of the recent boom and bust of the global financial system. Pride, dishonesty and rejection of basic good sense. So, how in our new and darker world of business leadership should we all behave? ... read more
LEADERSHIP: KEEPING H.R. AT THE TOP TABLE
published: 2009-03-02
Let’s start with two anecdotes. First: I was recently talking with a client, with whom I’ve done business strategy work and who’s keen to try our Leadership Action Planning tool for himself and his team. Notwithstanding current conditions, their business is growing and profitable. It’s well-run and operates in an online retail space that’s gaining market share. But, he’s initiated cautionary cost-cutting; and, is wary of starting a leadership program at this time, even though he recognises its merit and its relative cheapness (given it’s also online). ... read more
LEADERSHIP: WHAT'S YOUR PLAN?
published: 2009-02-23
High (often unreasonable) expectations await newly appointed presidents - whether taking the helm of a company or a country. For President Obama, this is multiplied manyfold. His personal story, and the dreams it creates for others, breaks hugely with the past. And, he steps up in the face of challenges of hurricane proportions. How will he go? Sadly, if his current economic and financial initiatives fail, the dreams of many may end almost before they're born. So, let's take stock of your leadership (of your team, project or business): how difficult are things going forward? And, what the hell are you doing about them? ... read more
LEADERSHIP: A BROADBAND APPROACH
published: 2009-02-16
The Brookings Institution claims the US gains 300,000 jobs for each one percent increase in broadband penetration. And, two European consultancies see 2m new jobs by 2015 from increased broadband access*. That's the good news. But, what about the bad? What's the upside (and downside) of broadband for your leadership - and your job? ... read more
LEADERSHIP: LIFT YOUR GAME OR LOSE YOUR JOB
published: 2009-02-09
Do the math. Ericsson, Microsoft, UBS and BHP (to mention just four global companies) are each retrenching thousands of workers. Unemployment in New York is rising at the "fastest pace on record". Job losses in Singapore may "triple in 2009". Small businesses are closing in every Main Street. Across the globe, millions of people are losing their jobs. And, for every ten workers, one leadership position disappears as well. So, what are you doing to be sure you're not the next leader without a role? ... read more
LEADERSHIP: YOUR FISCAL STIMULUS
published: 2009-02-02
Whether you're President Obama or the leader of China, France or any other country, you’re currently struggling to craft or manage a stimulus package that’s both effective and efficient. Effective in creating growth and jobs; efficient in doing so without waste. There’s no point giving money that isn’t spent, gets into the wrong hands or takes years to impact. OK, but what about your personal stimulus package? In these times of retrenchments and cut-throat competition, what are you doing (and investing) to grow as a leader and keep your job? ... read more
LEADERSHIP: A LESS WOBBLY GELI
published: 2009-01-26
Manfred Kets de Vries, creator of GELI (the Global Executive Leadership Inventory), is a leading leadership thinker. He's teased out the so-called "soft" human aspect of leadership. But, this aspect is actually the "hard" one: more complex; and less trainable. And, that said, I think his GELI could do with more gelatine! ... read more
LEADERSHIP: AVOID NEW YEAR'S IRRESOLUTION
published: 2009-01-19
Every year's different. But, 2009 looks like being really different. For many, the most challenging year ever. So, let's cut to the chase: as you return to work, which of your stakeholders is most frightened - in relation to their dealings with you and your business? Is it customers, employees, suppliers or, perhaps, your bankers? And, what are you going to do to ensure they don't abandon you?
LEADERSHIP: BUT, I LIKE PEOPLE LIKE ME
published: 2009-01-12
If you were putting together a football team, would you select only people, who play the same position? Probably not. But, that’s what we often do with business teams. No, let's not ask Jenny, she's rather different, and she's not an engineer; and, Fred, he’s only interested in sales. We don’t want anyone who rocks the boat – in other words, with different or confronting views.
... read moreLeadership: the frugal option
published: 2009-01-04 - Comment count: 1
Carlos Ghosn, global head of Renault Nissan, talks up “frugal engineering”. He sees it as key to delivering affordable cars in emerging economies like China and India. But, what does he mean? And, by extension, what would “frugal leadership” be? ... read more
LEADERSHIP: COACHING AND SELF-COACHING
published: 2009-01-03
Think of your favourite sporting figure! Who's their coach? Call to mind how they watch each play or shot – then gently (often almost invisibly) send a message: to relax, focus, push harder or whatever’s necessary. It's powerful stuff.
... read moreLEADERSHIP: OF GENERATIONS X, Y AND Z
published: 2008-12-28
School teachers often teach - and, therefore, have to lead - students of a common age. But, most of us lead teams covering a range of ages. So, why the fixation with the leadership needs of Generation X or Y, or any other letter of the alphabet? An effective leader engages people of all ages - and types. And, I'll bet X and Y are as diverse as any group. ... read more
Leadership: recession but no depression
published: 2008-12-21
Times are tough - economically, but also psychologically. Calls to a national executive counselling service are up 25% year-on-year, according to a report I read today. And, training and development budgets are getting the chop. We're all under pressure: to maintain business performance, cut costs and hold our jobs. There’s no easy answer, but being smart beats being depressed. ... read more
LEADERSHIP: LEARNING FROM NET GENERS
published: 2008-12-14
In 1997, Don Tapscott published "Growing up digital" - and coined the name "net generation" for the natives of the online world. Now 11 years on, and after a two-year survey of 8,000 people (born 1978 to 1994) from across 12 countries, he's published "Grown up digital". He concludes that on average Net Geners are smarter, quicker and more tolerant of diversity than the decrepit oldies like the Baby Boomers, let alone the dodos like me, familiarly known as Veterans. ... read more
LEADERSHIP: SHARP TOOLS FOR HARD TIMES
published: 2008-12-07
What's the leadership equivalent of reaching for your Swiss Army Knife, and selecting the right blade? It's creating a plan, and populating it with appropriate leadership actions. Actions relevant to current challenges, not old ones. Actions that convince people and build commitment. Things that work, giving traction in this tough new environment. ... read more
LEADERSHIP: AND, THE OBAMA CABINET
published: 2008-11-30
As President-elect, three of Barack Obama's earliest appointments have been: Treasury secretary (Timothy Geithner); Director, National Economic Council (Lawrence Summers); and Director, Council of Economic Advisers (Christina Romer) . Why these roles, and why so quickly? ... read more
LEADERSHIP: THE V|E|C|T|O|R PROMISE
published: 2008-11-30
V|E|C|T|O|R Leadership® is an online leadership action-planning tool. It helps you do two things: first, diagnose what your colleagues need you to do, if they're going to follow and support you; and second, turn this into a plan. Sounds simple - but it's not often done. The cost: as little as $75 - and you can update your plan, email it and access lots of resource material. It's certainly new, and we believe unique.
... read more
LEADERSHIP: ARE YOUR CARROTS FRESH AND SWEET?
published: 2008-11-24
As children, we learnt about rewards. We got dessert, if we finished our spinach. We went to the fair, if our rooms were tidy. It's not surprising therefore that as adults, incentives still work for most of us.
... read moreLEADERSHIP: YES, SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF
published: 2008-11-17 - Comment count: 1
You won't become famous by being efficient. It’s too mechanical. But leaders are brought down by the opposite. Inefficiency is something your detractors can point to. It annoys – and offends – people. No one likes their time being wasted.
... read moreLEADERSHIP: STAY AHEAD
published: 2008-11-10
If you can’t keep up, you're part of the problem not the solution. And, this is true for leaders, as for anyone else. If you don't understand how your business works today – the market trends, new technologies, economic drivers and so on – then, people won't want to follow you. As in a primitive tribe, they’ll leave you to die.
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