Imagine being relatively assertive and being handed a self-help book about assertiveness. Or imagine having a big heart and going to a seminar on empathy. How effective or valuable are these programs or books really going to be for you? Sure, they might make you feel good by validating how awesome you are if you have these qualities, but will anything significant change in your life? Probably not. Self-improvement literature, seminars, and...
Effective leaders are not born; they are developed. Effective leaders are not "naturals;" they practice. The path to leadership mastery involves continuous learning, self-reflection, mindfulness, strategic forecasting, and mentorship of others. In this article, we'll explore the five secrets of effective leaders. Learning Effective leaders are lifelong learners. They are constantly seeking knowledge, whether it is through development programs,...
Leadership is a crucial aspect of any organization or community. Effective leadership involves guiding, directing, and motivating others to achieve a common goal. Learning how to do these effectively often comes from those providing leadership advice. However, not all leadership advice is created equal. Some advice, known as pseudo-leadership advice, can be detrimental to individuals and organizations. This type of advice is not based on sound...
There are many different styles and theorems of leadership and countless frameworks for its development. Some are better than others. Of course, the leadership novice must be aware that some leadership styles are pushed without concern for either validity or scientific foundation (Robertson, 2022). However, if validity and effectiveness are important, and if transforming lives and organizations is the goal, then there is one style of leadership...
Not long ago, I had a student struggling to pay attention and focus. I asked about their sleep habits. The student responded by stating that "one must be willing to sacrifice sleep in order to be successful." So, I inquired about the source of this misguided belief, and the student informed me that it had been shared in a leadership group on LinkedIn. Let me say that leadership advice that encourages sacrificing sleep is highly misguided. The...
The leadership industry is one of the fastest-growing industries in the world, with organizations of all sizes and sectors seeking to improve their leadership performance and achieve their goals. Despite this growing demand for leadership expertise, leaderologists - professionals who specialize in the study and practice of leadership - are relatively rare in the industry. In this article, we'll explore why leaderologists are so rare and why...
Leadership development has become a crucial aspect of the modern workforce, but it's a topic that is often overlooked. According to a study by McShane and Von Glinow (2013), only 30% of U.S. employees are highly engaged, 1/2 are somewhat or not engaged, and 1/5 have low engagement or are actively disengaged. This highlights the importance of effective leadership in the workplace.However, a study by Sinar et al. (2015) found that 85% of...
How a Trusted Advisor Can Guide Your Personal and Professional Development A mentorship is a powerful tool for personal and professional growth. A mentor is an experienced and trusted advisor who guides and supports the development of their mentee. This can include providing guidance on career development, offering advice on personal or professional challenges, and serving as a role model. Mentors may be found in various settings, including...
Coined by Robert K. Greenleaf, Servant Leadership (SL) is a hybrid of Strategic Leadership and Operational Leadership (Blanchard, 2018). This leadership style is known for flipping the hierarchy, sharing power, reducing or abandoning ego, and empowering people in the organization via supporting and developing the individuals that comprise the organization (Blanchard, 2018). SL has grown in popularity and has gained quite a...
Imagine an organization where workers do not need to be controlled or "managed." Instead, they can be set free. This is possible if the organization alters its approach to hiring. Remember that when you hire the weak, you get weak links. Traditional management principles tend to focus on controlling and managing people. This approach is usually not ideal for several reasons. For example, being "managed" usually makes the worker feel terrible....
