Many leaders enjoy practicing leadership by achieving consensus. They are challenged by the actual process of achieving consensus and feel satisfied when the various parties come to agreement.
Consensus is a worthy approach in many situations. The process breaks down when the various stakeholders begin to venture down that well-travelled road, WIIFM, or what’s in it for me.
As much as a new year can inspire a fresh start, sometimes it has the opposite effect. For example, if you took it easy during the holidays and haven’t yet gotten up to speed, even consistent high performers can get complacent.
It’s worth seeing whether such a malaise is affecting any of your people (or you, for that matter), and if it is, you need to help them snap out of it immediately. The longer it drags on, the longer it will take to reverse course.
Today was the funeral of former President Jimmy Carter. During the last couple of weeks there have been numerous reflections on his legacy, and many of which were recapped today in the eulogies.
President Carter’s legacy as president differs from the one he accrued in the decades that followed. One thing that is consistent, though, is that he was true to his values throughout his life: decency, peace and compassion topping the list.
The “fresh start” perspective of the new year is like a blank slate. Aside from the ubiquitous resolutions, it gives you a chance to refine or modify more subtle things that may need refreshed or enhanced.
What comes to mind?
The week between Christmas and New Year’s is typically a quieter time for business unless, of course, you work in an industry that becomes congested at year end, such as accounting.
If you are working this week, it’s a great time to do some clean up. This doesn’t necessarily mean going through those piles of paper that surround your desk (although we know that physical clutter gets in the way of your productivity).
Saturday, December 21 marks the winter solstice in the northern hemisphere at 4:19am EST. It is the shortest day of the year for daylight and, of course, the longest for darkness. The southern hemisphere will experience the summer solstice at the same time.
The celebration of the winter solstice marks the beginning of winter, and the return to more daylight.
I have a colleague who strongly believes that “good is good enough”. He thinks most people procrastinate while fretting about perfection. He stresses the importance of accelerating rather than delaying action.
This works for him, and that’s great. Certainly, there are many situations where “good” is perfectly acceptable and leaders need to determine when the incremental difference between good and excellent doesn’t merit the additional time.
Have you ever felt completely absorbed in a task, losing track of time and effortlessly achieving a high level of focus and productivity? This state of heightened awareness and engagement is known as “flow.” For leaders, harnessing the power of flow can significantly enhance their effectiveness and overall well-being.
Flow, or being “in the zone,” is a mental state where you’re fully immersed in an activity. It’s characterized by a sense of effortless focus, clarity, and intrinsic motivation. When leaders experience flow, they can tackle complex challenges with ease, make sound decisions, and inspire their teams.
Experienced managers routinely make decisions that are essentially black and white. But have you ever noticed that how you execute those decisions can make a difference in outcome?
Think of this as “shades of black”, which is really about nuances. You know that you’re functioning within the realm of black, but which black is it?
Happy Thanksgiving!
It is my annual tradition to write about gratitude on this uniquely American holiday. Today is a time to pause, reflect, and give thanks for the things that mean the most to you. Most of you are celebrating today with friends and family which in itself is something to be grateful for!
“Wear gratitude like a cloak, and it will feed every corner of your life.”
– Rumi