Tag Archives: management

Why Leadership Development Programs Fail: Revolutionizing On-The-Job

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By David Carder

In response to an argument McKinsey made for why leadership development programs fail, we made two cases for how they succeed: when they set and communicate realistic expectations, and when they are built on solid, empirical research foundations Going beyond the debate on why programs succeed or fail, I’d like to share some bold ways to implement effective leadership development programs.
We have worked with and observed organizations that are creating real, far-reaching changes in how leadership development participants apply what they have learned on the job. They are fundamentally reshaping the environment in which their learners work and, therefore, redefining the 70 in the 70:20:10 model . Continue reading →

Humble Narcissists Make Great Leaders

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by Quy Huy

Narcissism gives executives the self-confidence to aim high, but greatness requires more humble behavior.

In today’s business environment of racing competition and the increasing complexities of management, leaders are frequently finding themselves having to do seemingly opposite things at once. ‘Paradoxical management’ often relates to how leaders act – their ability, for example, to focus on short-term and long term goals, or cost-cutting and investment in innovation. But it can also refer to their psychological behavior.

Recent research examined leaders who were narcissistic yet humble (two seemingly oxymoronic traits) and found that not only could the two apparently contradictory personal attributes exist simultaneously in the same leader, but narcissistic executives who were able to temper, or counter-balance, their self-centered egocentricity with humility often proved to be superior leaders. Continue reading →

The Soul and Courage of a Leader

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By Miriam Linderman

 

It is a painful truth that too many people today speak about the toxic environment of their workplaces where they experience their spirits, imagination, self-expression, self-authority and vision for a better world continuously squelched by the system. Politics, domination, competitiveness, bullying and other similar situations drain inspiration. People long for supportive and caring workplaces where they can make creative, meaningful and fulfilling contributions that resonate with who they are and that maximize their gifts.

Hearing these stories hurt my heart, and may hurt yours too. Continue reading →

Senior Program Manager, BPO

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The Senior Program Manager, will lead multi-disciplined teams managed by IT and Business Operations Projects Managers driving a large complex program of work.  The jobholder will be responsible for financial/budgetary controls, program-wide resource requirements and program status reporting. Working closely with the client and commercial management teams on one of key client accounts.  The jobholder will provide exemplary people management, monitoring and maintenance of governance standards and enforcing corrective action where required with consistent delivery of timely, concise, accurate and relevant communications to stakeholders from Board level to front line, internally and to client. Continue reading →

Thinking Like a Leader: Three Big Shifts

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Eric McNultyBy Eric J. McNulty

Leadership development often focuses on doing — the mastering and use of certain desirable skills and behaviors that concretely show someone to be leading. Competency-based models can provide lists of such skills, as well as attributes of their practice. But where leadership effectiveness really starts is with thinking — adopting a mental model that makes it possible to acquire those skills and demonstrate those behaviors in the first place. Mastering leadership thinking can be challenging, but it is absolutely essential. I may adopt the exact stance and handgrip of Jordan Spieth, but I’m unlikely to win the Masters — while there may be a (wide) gap in our athletic abilities, there is an even larger one in our mental capacity for the game of golf.

Leadership thinking can be learned but is difficult to teach. It is a matter of asking questions and presenting challenges that help someone discover the mental model that enables their “best leader” to emerge. It requires not just competency, but demonstrated proficiency. And proficiency only comes with practice, feedback, and analysis. Journaling and other reflective exercises are good for processing and absorbing both successes and failures. As Peter Drucker said, “Follow effective action with quiet reflection. From the quiet reflection will come even more effective action.” Continue reading →