While most CEOs build their careers in an area of tactical expertise such as finance, engineering, development or sales/marketing, very few CEOs build their careers on human resource skills. Yet, with every promotion, they get deeper and deeper into management, and their management and leadership skills become critically important to their companies' ongoing success. It is a … [Read more...]
Are Staff Meetings a Waste of Time?
With more and more high-tech ways in which to communicate, some business owners are wondering whether face-to-face staff meetings are worth their time and energy. After all, can’t a text, e-chat or email accomplish the same thing in less time? The Value of Face-to-Face Meetings The fact is that many specific actions can be accomplished through digital interactions, but at the … [Read more...]
What is Bossy?
A couple of weeks ago, I attended a networking luncheon titled, “I’m not bossy. I’m the boss.” Each panelist talked about the challenges they have had to overcome as women by being called “bossy.” As I sat there, it made me think about the way we perceive things. You can think negatively about any phrase or you can turn it around and become more powerful because of … [Read more...]
5 Key Traits for Focus for Your Next Board Director
Now that the worst of the financial meltdown seems to be behind us and we begin conversations around modernizing our current form of capitalism, boards may begin to contemplate this new normal and what traits for new directors are essential. Here are my five traits for this new normal: 1. More World-Centric America's identity as the most powerful capitalistic market in the … [Read more...]
Unanimous Illusion in the Boardroom
One of the downfalls I see in boardrooms is what Daniel Goldman calls “unanimous illusion.” Goldman defines this as a behavior that, once a group adopts a belief, individual members are likely to believe it is true. All the more reason for directors to ask questions during board meetings on a broad range of topics of critical importance to their oversight role. This … [Read more...]
Situational Awareness in the Boardroom
If you want to be influential in the boardroom, foresight is essential. To do this, a director must anticipate the conversational direction and decision-making voices in a dynamic boardroom debate. To begin the process of becoming more influential, start with observing. Watch the actions of the directors during the board meeting, and ask yourself the following … [Read more...]
The Board Candidate’s Guide to Networking
Great networkers have a variety of people they connect with on their professional journey. Some people have prestige and can open doors; others will be mentors and guide you with insightful commentary. Here are four key types of people to connect with and build your board-level network: 1. Foundation Foundational supporters run the gamut from friends to business peers. … [Read more...]
Inquiring Minds Want to Know about Board Evaluations
Fundamentally, a board evaluation is an opportunity for boards as a collective body to increase their effectiveness based on feedback the evaluation provides. Continuous improvement and development of board and board committee processes and procedures is imperative to ensuring board effectiveness. Today, there is an increased level of acceptance and sophistication in board … [Read more...]
Recruiting a Director for Strategic Board Challenges – 3 Key Considerations
Creating a 21st century board means making significant transitions towards more future-focused leadership behaviors and practices. Rethinking both how new directors are recruited and successfully retained can provide a progressive focus to a director search. Candidates whose backgrounds speak to these areas will ultimately bring a honed perspective for competitive … [Read more...]
Hear from 20 of the World’s Top Leadership Experts in a Free Webinar Summit
Today, I will be leading a webinar called Leading in a Social World as part of a free 4-day virtual event, The Leadership Summit, hosted by MACRO Recruitment. In my lecture, which is schedule for 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time on March 10, 2014, I'll discuss how the leadership role in business has changed at the hands of the social web and how to develop a company culture that turns … [Read more...]