Timeless Gems from Peter Drucker

I’m hosting a leadership conference for a small group of very special people this week. This seems a great time to bring out some timeless gems from Peter Drucker.

• “Effective leadership is not about making speeches or being liked; leadership is defined by results not attributes.”

• “No institution can possibly survive if it needs geniuses or supermen to manage it. It must be organized in such a way as to be able to get along under a leadership composed of average human beings.”

• “Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things.”

Do you have a favourite quote or words of wisdom to share?

Happy Birthday to my Blog: 3 Years Old Today

I believe blogs follow a life pattern similar to the people who create them. Sadly, most blogs die before reaching maturity. Those that live on past adolescence to reach adulthood really come into their own. And just as with people, you can’t know what they’ll be when they grow up until they get there. Happily, mine has grown into a place of contemplation and a catalyst for meeting others who are just as interested in leadership and intentional living as I am. Corny? Yes, I know it is. Fortunately, I can laugh at my own proclivity for schmaltz while embracing it as part of my personal brand.

This blog began life as a statement on the ways social media can make us aware of the need for transparency and authentic leadership. My premise was that you cannot be two different people: a reliable, values-driven person on one hand – and a not-so-honest individual stretching the limits of credibility on the other. The connectedness of social media will ‘out’ you. In my mind that’s a big plus.  And that’s why I don’t keep separate online profiles – one personal and one business.  My premise only allows for one person. One persona. That’s my brand of authenticity.

In “What Does Leadership Have To Do With Social Networking?” I wrote:

Social media is the perfect platform for leadership development.  After all, leadership is about reaching and engaging people.  What better way to do that than through the global platform of social networking?  It’s immediate, it’s two-way, and it’s far reaching.  It also teaches the value of transparency.  You cannot pretend to be something you are not and engage fully in social networking.

Leadership is also about willingness to accept risk – and there is definitely an element of risk in putting one’s self online for all to see.  It’s not for the faint of heart but the potential rewards are awesome.

That was my inaugural post in 2009. I’m still happy with it – and I abide by my initial premise – but the site itself has gone through several iterations. It has transitioned from quietly shared ideals to thinking out loud about values and career choices. Today it is the place where I record teachable points of view.

I don’t know what it will be tomorrow. Just like me, it’s still deciding what it wants to be when it grows up.

Change is inevitable. Growth is optional.

I wish I could take credit for the title of this post but the words belong to John Maxwell, author and leadership guru.

We all know change is constant.  It’s not a matter of wondering if things will change as much as when. Nothing in life stands still.

If you hate change you might describe it as an assault.  If you love it, you might see it as unexpected opportunity.  Both viewpoints share one common truth: change, in and of itself, is not sufficient to produce growth. Here are, according to me, the required ingredients to turn turmoil into opportunity.

Be open.

I could serve up dozens of famous quotes to support this one. Here are two favourites.  ”Resistance is futile.” – courtesy of the Borg.  A former colleague and awesome coach, Bev M. T. used to say in our management coaching sessions: “What you resist persists.” It’s no good fighting change. The more open you are, the more information you will have at your disposal when it comes time to make decisions.

Be curious.

You don’t have to be in love with what’s happening to come up with great questions. If emotions are getting in the way you might try to view the situation as a journalist. What would he or she need to know in order to formulate an interesting and fact-filled story?

Be honest.

Being open and curious during times of change doesn’t mean you can’t say you hate what’s happening.  When things suck, it’s ok to say so. The important thing is to understand what you are feeling and why.

 

Choosing Your Path

Strength and serenity come from knowing one’s values and living a life in alignment with those values.

Getting there can be a bumpy ride.

I think the trick is to know the difference between walking our own path and walking a path chosen for us by others.  Neither is wrong – it’s just a choice.

Choices made with intention bring peace.

This post is for you, Mom.

Ten Ways To Inject Fun Into The Workplace

Would you consider installing a video camera to catch humourous responses to unexpected questions?  What about a team coffee break dedicated to sharing your most embarrassing moments?  Teams that laugh together are better able to power through difficulties and get the big job done.

Intrigued?  Read more at Fast Company.