Get the relationship between board, CEO right

The hottest topic of discussion at the recent IMD program on High Performance Boards (HPB) was "how to manage the relationship between the Board and the CEO more effectively." An IMD on-line survey of board members reinforced the importance of this challenge. It rated the CEO and management as having the biggest influence on the Board’s decision-making freedom.

This recent topic was the topic of conversation at a recent workshop at IMD which is a leading global business school.

Some of their advice;

1. Avoid concentration of power at the top
2. Balance diversity with expertise
3. Expose top management to the Board of Directors
4. Increase the transparency of the compensation system
5. Put tensions on the table earlier rather than later
   

This is a great quick read which gives valuable advice on how creating a synergistic relationship here will bring about a win-win situation for everyone – company and shareholders.
Enjoy the article…

“Workplace Coach: Wanted: Strong managers for chaos at work”

"TOUGH TIMES often define leaders. There is a big difference between managing and leading. Leaders provide direction, the road map for change and inspiration for even the most difficult journeys. The most effective leaders are good at influencing others -- often with their contagious passion. They motivate us to do our best by engaging our minds and hearts in their vision of a preferred future.”

This great little article appearing at seattlepi.com, written by MAUREEN MORIARTY, gives seven guidelines for leaders during chaotic times. Often these little but insightful things are so taken for granted. Clearly it is times as these where we need to fully ‘engage’ with our team – ALL our team – to create and retain loyalty and to gain the best business advantage. It is times as we are currently experiencing in which I used to like to say ‘Challenge the Unchallenged!’

Enjoy the read and until next time….

Corn as fuel has hurt world food supply

At first glance one may feel this article is not about leadership - BUT - we feel it is all about leadership! This article is just another look at why it is so critically important that our leaders, whether it be of a company or our Political Leaders, look at the BIG PICTURE – look strategically at their decision making process. We believe whole heartedly in acting quickly to alleviate issues, but one must look at the entire ramifications of that decision. To act hastily without thoroughly examining the pros and cons and the consequences of our decisions is to potentially cause a crippling effect on so many people, so many industries.

The article, "Corn as fuel has hurt world food supply", by ANDY KIMBRELL, published recently in Newsday.com, is nicely done and clearly points out the damaging aftereffect of ‘knee jerk’ decision making. Hopefully, we will someday learn from our mistakes – hopefully soon!

Enjoy the article and until next time….

Eleven Ways to Infuse Your Company with Leadership Skills

In good times, running a company is exhilarating - money is flowing, customers are happy; employees have a spring in their step. In not-so-good times-like now-the very same job can feel like scaling Mt. Everest in a snowstorm while wearing a knapsack filled with bricks and suffering from a bad case of the flu. All reports indicate that a recession is coming and you suspect the next few years will be rough. You know there's no "magic pill" for business success, but you do wish someone would at least give you, say, a guidebook to healthy habits.

Today we look at another aspect of leadership – that during our current climate of tough economic times. As the author, Quint Studer clearly states, it is times as these which clearly separates organizations with dynamic leadership from those with mediocre leaders. As the following excerpt clearly states, time is of essence;
"Great leadership is everything," says Studer, author of the Wall Street Journal bestseller Results That Last: Hardwiring Behaviors That Will Take Your Company to the Top (Wiley, October 2007, ISBN: 0471757292). "All other elements of success flow from it. Companies with mediocre leadership can skate by when the economy is booming, but in tough times they really suffer. Your leadership must be top-notch. If it isn't, you may not be around five years from now."

This is a great article by Quint Studer published recently in the News Blaze which really takes a no-nonsense approach to leading – in good and in the not so good times.
We think you’ll enjoy this one…

The Fringe Benefits of Failure, and the Importance of Imagination

“What we achieve inwardly will change outer reality.
That is an astonishing statement and yet proven a thousand times every day of our lives. It expresses, in part, our inescapable connection with the outside world, the fact that we touch other people’s lives simply by existing. “

The statement above was made by J.K. Rowling, author of the best-selling Harry Potter book series, during her Commencement Address, “The Fringe Benefits of Failure, and the Importance of Imagination,” at the Annual Meeting of the Harvard Alumni Association.

This truly heartfelt and at times humorous talk puts into perspective so much of what is important in life. We believe it hits so many inner qualities and characteristics necessary to be successful and happy in life and in leadership. This is a remarkable and different approach to the challenges we face in our daily lives. This link will take you to her transcript as well as a video link of her talk.

Enjoy the message…

Interest, not salary, is workers' main motivation

“Interest, not salary, is workers' main motivation.
An interesting job and good relationships with co-workers are more motivating to employees than a high salary, research published today suggests.”

We have heard this many times and again it boils down to the ’people’ part of our business. This small but impactful article appeared in MORE TH>N BUSINESS News and Features in the June 4th 2008 edition.
We have always felt that what our employees want from us is to be able to trust us, be treated with dignity & respect – get them involved – create an enjoyable environment and of course be able to provide them with a decent living. It’s really a simple equation but truly takes understanding what drives the business – your people. Keeping the proper ‘focus’ – driving the top line by focusing on your people, with a proper look at your bottom line daily will equal long-term successful growth for your company.

Enjoy the read and until next time…

Four-way Win: How to Integrate Work, Home, Community and Self

“While people in the business community hear a lot about the importance of work/life balance, it's often unclear exactly what that phrase means or how one achieves it. Stewart Friedman, founding director of Wharton's Leadership Program and the Work/Life Integration Project, thinks he has an answer. In his new book, titled Total Leadership: Be a Better Leader, Have a Richer Life, Friedman describes the four domains of people's lives -- work, home, community and self -- and what individuals can do to integrate these domains and improve their leadership skills at any stage in their careers.”

We all hear so much about achieving ‘balance’ in our lives but often do not fully understand what it entails or how to achieve it. This is a great article in which the author discusses points of interest concerning the subject. And as is usually the case, their will be some ‘uncomfortable’ areas to explore which involve digging deep within oneself to truly gain the benefit of the concept. I plan on reading the book myself to gain insight on helping others in such a difficult area. When we look at the differences in our workforce and how each places ‘values’ differently, I feel it would behoove us to be well versed on knowing and assisting each generation.

Enjoy the article and until next time….

Take your biggest problem … and skip it!

“Every business has problems that can halt progress and cause the company to stagnate: slow cash flow, out-of-date technology, long sales cycles, etc. Often when trying to “fix” the problem, the company gets even more mired in the challenge and can’t seem to get past the roadblock. Often they focus on the problem, shift into crisis management and let it dictate their every move.

A better solution to solving those tough problems is to just skip it. That’s right, skip the problem completely. How can this help?”

What a great little article on what we see all too often – becoming so consumed in a problem or issue – we lose sight of our vision and at times our values and principles. This article by Daniel Burrus, published in the June issue of RELIABLE PLANT, gives a refreshing approach to tackling the issue not avoiding it- some great advice to assist leaders in moving their company forward. You can read more about the author and his books at www.burrus.com.

Happy reading and until next time….

Change the Way You Define Yourself

“One of the greatest challenges that we face, when we try to improve ourselves – as leaders, partners, friends or family members – is the challenge of changing the way we define ourselves. I must have heard this phrase a thousand times, “That’s just the way I am.” As long as we keep saying “That’s just the way I am” to ourselves we increase the probabilities that “That’s just the way I am always going to be.””
A great little article, by Marshall Goldsmith appearing in Harvard Business Publishing, on June 2, 2008, Change the Way You Define Yourself, which challenges us to look closely at yourself and do more than just ‘conjure’ up excuses for our behaviors or why we are in the situation we are in. It gives us some simple and doable solutions to being the very best we can be.
Enjoy the article and until next time…

The liberating effect of failure

"Failure is the crucible that makes a leader into a hero", says Yale's Jeffrey Sonnenfeld.

"If you did nothing wrong, you have to stand up for exoneration. If you did something wrong, you have to go straight for contrition. Prominent people tend to avoid that. Many people believe that contrition weakens them. [Xerox (XRX, Fortune 500) CEO] Anne Mulcahy blows me away. She talks about setbacks in a way that only makes her stronger."

“People who fail should feel liberated. They've already failed. Get over it!”
Two statements from a great little article by Patricia Sellers, editor-at-large, at FORTUNE Magazine, CNN Money.com, (http://money.cnn.com/2008/05/29/news/newsmakers/sellers_failure.fortune/?postversion=2008052911).

This article is a small ‘sound bite’ of an interview with Jeffrey Sonnenfield dealing with what leaders must do to learn from and rebound from failures and/or disasters. In it he offers some sage advice on how leaders become remarkably stronger and build stronger leaders within an organization.
All too often – an overlooked skill and value necessary for the “dynamic” leader!
Enjoy the article….and until next time…

John Wooden's tips for courting success

John Wooden's "Pyramid of Success" guide to life is revered by former players and business leaders for its insight on how to help individuals to grow and how to manage organizations.

Wooden sat down with The Times and offered up 10 tips -- one for each of the NCAA basketball championships his players won at UCLA -- for how business owners can become better leaders.

His sage advice:
1. Listen.
2. Care.
3. Recognize.
4. Prepare.
5. Be industrious.
6. Have enthusiasm.
7. Be patient.
8. Have confidence.
9. Don't fear failure.
10. Win respect.

Read the article and learn what John has to say about each step.

This is a very short but impactful article appearing in the Los Angeles Times Business section by Jerry Hirsch, in the June 2 edition. Much like our previous posts, this is another example of how leaders transition from ‘me’ to ‘we.’ John’s simple approach obviously had a profound impact on his team, his people. Not only did these folks learn their skills, they also were highly motivated into wanting to achieve their company’s/team’s vision or goal if you will. These simple steps help transition leaders into achieving the impossible – they help leaders develop the ‘footprint’ of tomorrow’s leaders while at the same time help these individuals grow personally.

Enjoy the article and until next time...