This article (http://www.forbes.com/sites/sashagalbraith/2011/09/27/top-women-leaders-higher-ambition-creates-equal-if-not-more-value-than-men/) gives an interesting and intriguing take on a recent Harvard Business Review issue. The article refers to higher ambition and leaders being able to turn companies around. Sasha, the author, feels the leaders, and the new leadership … [Read more...]
Venture Capitalists Are Looking for Failures
Did you know failure is one of the biggest indicators of future success in an entrepreneur? According to an article in the April issue of Harvard Business Review, “Failing By Design,” many venture capitalists won’t invest in a new enterprise if the founder has never undergone failure. In other words, they are looking for… failures! Why?? Let me first state that there … [Read more...]
What Holds Middle Managers Back from Leadership?
A couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to speak at Harvard Business School’s Dynamic Women in Business Conference. Our panel discussion was titled, Working in Heels: Women in the Workplace today, and the focus of the discussion was the internal barriers and external barriers that women hold women back from advancing their careers and assuming leadership … [Read more...]
Are you a good boss?
Are you a good boss? Really? I know when I ask myself that question, I come to the conclusion that I could be better. So what makes a good boss, and how can we get better? In the January/February issue of Harvard Business Review an article on becoming a great boss offers research and some key tips for improving as a boss. A good boss is typically influential. But where … [Read more...]
A Guilty Conscience = A Great Hire???
Are you looking to add new individuals to your team in 2011? Studies show that hiring guilt-prone employees is smart business! (Keep in mind, there is a big difference between guilt-prone and guilty) Guilt-ridden people make better employees, tend to work hard, perform better and are less likely to call in sick. All around, they’re dependable. Why? Because they feel bad … [Read more...]
Are Your Client Delight Efforts Misplaced?
I have spent many years speaking about the concept of creating an exceptional client experience. I even have the term, “Client Delight” trademarked because of the educational materials I have created around this topic. But recently, I read something in Harvard Business Review (July-Aug 2010) that made me change my thinking on this topic, quite drastically actually. The … [Read more...]
Are You Taking on More Work Without a Promotion?
This question is the topic of a recent article in Harvard Business Review, “Are You The Victim of An Invisible Promotion?” by Ron Ashkenas. The post poses some direct questions to the reader about whether or not your role has changed significantly in the past six months and whether you have been given new responsibilities with no formal promotion or pay raise. Ashkenas … [Read more...]
Imitating Innovators is Smart Business
Did you know that 97.8% of the value of innovations goes to imitators? (“Imitation is More Valuable Than Innovation,” Harvard Business Review, April 2010.) White Castle led to McDonald’s; Diners Club lead to Visa, MasterCard and American Express. Walmart’s founder admitted to borrowing most of its practices from others and improving on them. In the financial services … [Read more...]