The Transformational Leader: Story of the Seed
THE STORY A successful business man was growing old and knew it was time to choose a successor to take over the business. Instead of choosing one of his Directors or his children, he decided to do something different. He called all the young executives in his company together. He said, “It is time for me to step down and choose the next CEO. I have decided to choose one of you.” ... [Read more]
How Does Social Media Play a Role in Training?
Social media is not just a generational fad of the millenials and Gen Y. Organizations are doing more with less and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. This means even after economic rebound, companies will likely keep the belts tightened. Investments in people are under the microscope. Payroll has been typically one of the larger investments a company makes. And, like with... [Read more]
DISC or MBTI? How about Emotional Intelligence (EI)?
This week I have been reviewing job descriptions seeking candidates with Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) experience. And, this week I was asked a question by a colleague wanting to transition from technical training to doing leadership training. He asked which is the preferred of the two psychometrically proven Jungian (Carl Jung) based, behavioral assessment tools, MBTI and DISC. Meyers... [Read more]
Informal Learning: Are Your Maximizing Your Full Learning Potential?
Let me ask you this. What do you feel makes an organization cutting edge when it comes to a learning and development strategy? Recently, I was asked this question in an interview. This question came up because they asked my why I listed Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn among my learning technology experience. The answer of course goes deeper than having the latest and greatest technology or the... [Read more]
Public Speaking: Articulate You and Your Business for Increased Profits
Speaking in front of groups is scary for many business professionals. Public speaking is a skill that carries throughout the workplace and into our personal lives. Expressing oneself effectively takes skill and constant practice. In business, you do not G-E-T unless you A-S-K. What are you leaving on the table? Today, margins are tight and that is not going to be changing anytime soon. Standing... [Read more]
How do people see you? Are you a TRUST BOOSTER or a TRUST BUSTER? CORPORATE TRUST Begins with YOU
When it comes to trust—How do people see you? How do you view yourself? Are you a trust booster or a trust buster? Today, trust is a critical element in the workplace, whether it is an email, a tweet, one-on-one, in the classroom or in a staff meeting. I have done my share of trust busting in my career. I have learned over time, how to become more conscious of trust from a leadership... [Read more]
COMMUNICATION: Executives Telling the Whole Story? Or, is Part of the Story Enough?
I received a communication requesting recommendations for how to open up communication within the organization. This is a bold and quite perceptive insight for an executive leader to recognize this need. Communication is the root cause that erodes trust and if effectively woven into the cultural fabric, can sustain an organization. Today it requires starting over with a “beginner’s... [Read more]
Today’s Business Blind Spot-Grants: Money on the Table-5 Points to Keep in Mind to Help Find and Get Funded
Business is the heartbeat of our country and many continue to struggle, their pulse is weakening. Let’s face it, the economy is still tight. We are doing more with less; and, perhaps will have to do so well into the future. There are many blind spots that exist in business today. Organizations that discover and master these today will have a sustainable competitive advantage tomorrow. These... [Read more]
INNOVATION SECRETS: 7 Ways to Manage Psychological Blind Spots, Going Deeper
The key to sustaining innovation is being able to think out of the box—keeping fresh ideas coming. Taking leadership to the next level and providing programs that “go deep” means literally digging deeper. Over time, we develop tunnel vision. I know I have. So, I have to consciously keep myself out of that rut. Otherwise, the potential for blind spots increases—I continue to... [Read more]
VOLUNTEERISM: Improving Innovation, Learning and Leadership Performance
When people are in need, my hand is often raised. Especially, wherever I see I can contribute and make a difference. I grew up reading super hero comic books—Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Captain Marvel, Wonder Woman, Captain America, Hulk, Spiderman—you name it! Maybe this is where it all started. I collected them all. I believe this is my way of living into what they represented... [Read more]
SHARE YOUR TRUST SUCCESS STORIES: How are Companies Building Trust? EXAMPLE-Starbucks is Going Green
THE MISSION: Call to Action I am on a mission. I am on a mission to find success stories about companies that are bridging the trust gap we hear so much about. President Obama clearly pointed out, we have a “deficit of trust” in this country. This diagnosis will take a cure, not just symptomatic treatment. Trust is the root to many challenges we face today. The media does a good... [Read more]
LATEST BRAIN RESEARCH: What All LEADERS and TRAINERS Should Know
As leaders and adult educators, it is essential to understand the critical role the brain plays in the outcomes from our efforts as well as those of our people. Understanding the brain has helped me create accelerated learning programs that deliver results far in excess of those using more traditional methods of communication and leadership. This blog contains a compilation of research from a... [Read more]
MULTIGENERATIONAL LEADERSHIP CLOUT: Building a Learning Culture of TRUST for SUSTAINABLE Bottom Line Results, Before the World War for Talent Strikes
Once upon a time, long, long ago, there was what seemed to be a single generation in the workforce. We now refer to them affectionately as the silent generation. These are the people loyal to their company and worked until retirement. Up to then, generation after generation learned how to lead based upon what worked and did or did not work for their predecessors. We learned, as is human nature,... [Read more]
WHY SHOULD I USE SOCIAL MEDIA? How I Transformed My Resistance and Discovered a World of Generosity—PASSION and TRUST
Embracing Social Media I cannot say enough about the generosity I have found within my social media community. They constantly send words of encouragement and support. My social media community keeps me grounded with the latest information and provides direct responses to my questions. As a leader and talent development expert, networking is essential. I do not have all of the answers. Yet,... [Read more]
TEAMBUILDING: AFTER ECONOMIC RECOVERY, RETAIN TALENT and INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY with a Competency Model Strategy
Competency modeling gets teams moving in the same direction. The economy will turn around. As a leader and manager, I owe it to my teams and the organization I serve to be prepared for that and retain key talent. According to 2009 research by Harris Interactive on behalf of the Adecco Group, 54% of employed Americans report they are likely to look for new jobs once the economy turns around. Are... [Read more]
