A number of my clients are working alongside mentors. Some of these mentors have been chosen by the leader. With others, the mentors have singled out the leader as a high-potential individual with whom they want to partner; and still others have been assigned a mentor through a formalized mentoring program sponsored within their organization. Often I am asked, how do I make the most of this relationship?
Recently I had a friend tell me, unsolicited, that I needed to consider a complete makeover…..hair, dress, make-up, and an overall updating of my appearance, given that I was growing older. After the initial hurt feelings, I began to wonder if she was not only right; it also led me to consider what other areas beyond just my appearance may need a complete overhaul as well.
Recently I was taking the exams to renew my Texas Real Estate license, which I have had since early 2003. I was struck by the simplicity of one of the principles on the test which was taken from a gold standard in the field of business books. They referenced that every business transaction can be broken down into 5 basic attributes. What are they and how does this apply to me, as an individual?
Have you ever been talking to someone and felt they were not really listening to you? Perhaps their eyes glaze over, they are constantly checking their Iphone or they are frantically writing something down so they will be prepared to ‘interject’ and interrupt with their own juicy bit of insight or knowledge. To say this is frustrating, and often insulting, is an understatement. As leaders, one of the most important yet least applied skills is the art of listening. What does that ‘art’ look like?
Recently I have been coaching a few leaders and executives who feel the best years of their life have passed them by. They lament to me that they are not where they thought they would be or where they want to be at this stage in their lives. We know intellectually that nothing is stagnate, and yet often we get stuck. We get riddled in our own stories of where we think we ‘should be’ or where we think others think we ‘should be’.
Recently I stumbled across an article in the New York Times which I loved as much for its brevity as I did for its wisdom. Adam Bryant, of The New York Times, recently wrote a book which analyzes the broader lessons that emerge from his interviews with more than 70 leaders. So, from his perspective and research, what does it take to lead an organization — whether it’s a sports team, a nonprofit, a start-up or a multinational corporation? What are the X factors of strong leaders?
Recently I ran across an article touting Marc Benioff’s top leadership secrets in Forbes, which offered incredibly insightful perspectives. I have tried to highlight a few bullets, in my words, from the article referenced above. I have actually watched Marc, his team, and his culture in admiration for years. Their holistic approach to their work and the way in which they contribute has been studied with equal measures of skepticism, reverance, and disdain.
This past weekend we watched the acclaimed performance of Meryl Streep in The Iron Lady, the movie depicting Margaret Thatcher’s life. As most of you probably know, the movie is a series of flashbacks from the Prime Minister’ life and her impact on history. Her life story is remarkable on many levels. I took away four quotations from the movie, which I believe to be applicable to each of our lives today, and wanted to share with my readers.
With all the everyday pressures of our careers, some wonder why even hire a leadership coach? It may appear to be ‘just more thing’ on a long list of ‘to do’s. In fact, not too long ago, executives who hired an executive or leadership coach were looked down upon as ones that were on their way out.
That was, and still is, obsolete thinking.
There are many reasons that have helped raise the profile of the leadership development industry. Yet, what can a person really hope to gain from work with a leadership consultant or coach?
I believe in the power of stories. In fact, as many of you know, my first book is a compilation of stories of the people I have met along my journey who have taught me so much just through living their lives and how they intersected with mine. Each and every one of us haev the opportunity to learn and teach through our lives. It was incredible to read in The New York Times, the perspective of a world-class CEO and his integration of stories into day to day business.