People often think that introverts are at a disadvantage when it comes to trying to advance to leadership positions. The true test of our leadership potential is not found in our natural personality profile, or our introversion or extroversion. It’s about our ability to be self-aware and to use our awareness as a guide for… Read more »
Developing a sense of humility prevents us from getting defensive about our ideas, decisions, and direction for the organization. It makes us open to new ideas and lively debate.
If we truly want to be innovative thinkers and outside-of-the-box problem solvers, we must force ourselves outside the box of our self-affirming minds.
Duality creates binary problems in a world whose outer edges extend well beyond the boundaries that duality offers. We can’t find solutions with our dualistic thinking. We can only create more problems. That’s why we need a third path.
We don’t need to ignore the mess or abandon our agenda to change things for the better. But we won’t bring about positive change being the critic who stands on the sidelines and points out flaws without offering a better way.
Approaching leadership as a practice can help us avoid the leadership gap that occurs when we understand our leadership title to be a license to wield power, rather than the responsibility to offer inspiration.
In 1985, I joined the Peace Corps and began my service in Congo, Central Africa. I was an idealistic young man with a naively expansive view of my ability to help people and bring about meaningful change in their lives. The challenges and frustrations I experienced as a Peace Corps volunteer provided important life lessons… Read more »
If we work to build a safe, trusting rapport with our colleagues when there are no problems, it will serve as an important foundation when trouble, difficulty and conflict arise.
It is a mindful bureaucracy that responds to and addresses real needs and eagerly welcomes challenges and tests over time.
Although few of us will ever receive prestigious awards for our work, we can make our daily tasks great by doing them with great passion, focus and a sense of purpose. Doing our work as if we were producing the world’s next great product, innovation or solution elevates its meaning and importance, gives it a… Read more »