Inspiration Is Not Enough

During a recent meeting with a group of managers from COSI in Columbus, OH, one of them asked about the role of inspired understanding in getting people to do things.  She was proposing that the primary difference between effective managers and less effective leaders was that effective leaders presented their ideas in a more compelling

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Burn the Boats

It is said that when Caesar invaded England, he burned his boats to let his men know that there was no way home. The only options were victory or death.  For most of us, the idea of cutting off all retreat is unnerving.  We like to keep our options open, to have a back door

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The Two Sides to Getting “More Accountability”

Have you ever heard someone say, “What we need around here is more accountability”?  If so, you are in good company because accountability, how to get it, and why people don’t have more of it is a popular topic in today’s workplace.

I encounter this complaint from the managers in my MBA classes as well as

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Want More Credibility? Own Up and Apologize

Credibility is essential to being an effective leader.  One of the most powerful ways to build credibility is to own up to something that didn’t work and apologize for it.

When Ed Koch was mayor of New York, he was concerned about the number of accidents resulting from bikers darting in and out of traffic. Determined

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Is Demanding “Now” Undermining Leadership?

I recently got an email from – let’s call him Paul – a manager updating me on his attempts to interrupt the “high priority” manipulation that is so prevalent in organizations.  Turns out he is becoming increasingly successful everywhere except with his boss.   Apparently Paul’s boss doesn’t realize how he is undermining himself.

Here is what

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