In reference to the great debate between Patrick Henry and James Madison in the Virginia convention considering ratification of the newly written Constitution of the United States in 1788, John Marshall, a member of the convention and later a...
Read moreLead by Coaching
One of the primary responsibilities of a leader is to guide and encourage the growth and development of the team that they lead and the team members. An effective skill for developing people is coaching. ICF, the International Coaching...
Read moreOne of the Biggest Obstacles to Genuine Communication
A frequent roadblock to effective communication is the phrase, “I already know that.” A recent article on the Idea Champions’ website speaks at length about the danger of using this phrase. This often occurs when someone begins a conversation and...
Read moreLeading by Listening – Part 2
Listening builds strong relationships. In the first part of this article, we focused on the importance of listening in team settings. Teams are more effective when the leader facilitates group discussions in which the entire team is working...
Read moreLeading by Listening – Part 1
Listening builds more effective teams. Listening is a key skill of leadership and the best leaders learn to listen well. Two of the presidents of the USA, that many consider the best, are great examples of leading by listening. George Washington...
Read moreGood Leadership Requires an Open Mind
While managing people can be described as assigning and monitoring tasks, leading people is based on a relationship of influence that is built upon trust and respect for the leader. Demonstration by the leader of strong, positive character traits...
Read moreLeadership: Reward or Responsibility?
People have different perspectives on what leadership is. People also have different motivations for seeking a role as leader. Some of those motivations are self-focused and others are focused on others. Some see leadership as a reward, some see...
Read moreBuffett’s “What Separates Successful People from the Rest”
In a recent article from Inc. magazine, the author shares advice from Warren Buffett on self-improvement. One of Buffett’s mantras is “Go to bed a little smarter each day.” Comparing it to compound interest, Buffett says that is how knowledge...
Read moreThe Focus of Feedback
The purpose of feedback is to identify specific actions or behaviors on the part of a person or group in order to encourage more of or less of that action or behavior in the future so that we might mold future actions or behaviors toward a vision...
Read moreThe Motive for Feedback
Providing and receiving effective feedback are essential elements of leadership. On the receiving end, feedback helps a leader to learn about strengths and weaknesses or what they are doing well and where they can improve. Among the traits of...
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