The One Thing Your High Potential Leaders Need Right Now
You don’t expect to hear Donald Rumsfeld quoted at a biology conference on the Galapagos Islands. However, that is exactly what happened in June of 2005, a few months after Rumsfeld’s infamous press briefing in which he spoke about the …
Jokes & Astronauts: How Humor Can Strengthen Your Team in Uncertain Times
For the first episode of her new podcast, “Sugar Calling,” Wild author Cheryl Strayed had a conversation with former mentor and fellow author George Saunders about the current pandemic. “I follow Carl Reiner on Twitter,” she said, “and [the other …
On Teams: A Conversation with HR Leaders
We recently hosted 24 HR and Talent leaders from a variety of industries for a roundtable conversation on teams. During the few hours we spent together, each leader shared conversations they are having in their organizations on the topic and …
Trying to Develop an Effective Team? Don’t Overlook This
Teams are complex – “lots of moving parts,” as the saying goes. But focusing on one or two underlying aspects of team functioning might make that complexity more manageable. For instance, how often do leaders consider working on empathy (or …
In the (Exchange) Zone: Balancing Individual and Team Development
When it comes to managing teams, how do you balance? It has been some time since I ran track personally, but the experience developed my ongoing appreciation for the sport – particularly the relays. Given the inherent individuality of track …
Performance High: The Final Four Journey That Put “Team” First
Living in Chicago, I (like many) was captivated by the Loyola Ramblers during their NCAA run this year. The storyline made for great TV: the timeless allegory of David and Goliath(s), the playful banter between team chaplain Sister Jean Dolores …
It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane, It’s…Heroism in the Workplace!
Let’s start with a story. This is a Zen parable about a woman staying in a mountainside retreat, located high above her beloved fishing village. She is staying in a beautiful house she built herself and has decorated over the …
Want to Be a Great Leader? Avoid These Five Mistakes
Do you feel frustrated in your efforts to make a difference? Are you concerned you don’t have the right team in place? Are you tired of inheriting poor performers? If you answered yes to any of these, ask yourself: what’s …
What I Learned About Great Coaching…From Watching Football
A few years ago, I was attending a conference of executive coaches when a keynote speaker caught my attention. This gray-haired, seasoned executive coach suggested that we should not use the scientific model to benchmark our success as coaches, but …