Leader Among Leaders: The “Go-To” Ever notice in a meeting when there is one person who is the “go-to” person when others are stumped or at an impasse? Even if it is not in his or her official domain? What do you notice? Perhaps you observe that others show great respect for the go-to’s opinion or [...]
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
An object lesson from the execution workshop yesterday. Critical thinking is not everyone’s strength: you know, sorting things that are like each other together from unlike, understanding a logic sequence in which one fact leads to another and consequences, imagining the multiple possibilities for why something may be true or false. Understanding how a process [...]
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
I have seen the “safety net” today and it is in trouble as every funding source shrinks the money provided for projects and operations. And you could do something about it by volunteering your time and knowledge to help a not for profit survive, especially a social service provider to the neediest. In 2007, Harvard Community [...]
Friday, November 21, 2008
Successful fund-raising in this awful time requires re-thinking some basics. Yesterday, I emceed a workshop of 35 Executive Directors and Board chairs of not for profits as part of the pro bono activities of Harvard Community Partners of CT. The topic was Mission Statement: Tying Mission to Performance. Pairs (an E.D. and a Board member) [...]
Countless more ordinary people of equal talent never developed the leadership core required to run the show. Why not?
Is our behavior in the face of challenge determined at birth or by our environment? Are leaders born rather than made?
My obsession with what makes some ordinary people become extraordinary leaders led to my interviews with dozens of CEOs which Random House published in 2007 and to the Master Class series at Pace. The thesis is that there are particular “shaping experiences” which develop leadership traits and capabilities.
Epi-genetics is the new field of study that is beginning to confirm that nurture determines a lot about us: our behavior, our illnesses and more. Work on animals and on human twins shows that no matter your genome, there is a system of markers that switch genes on and off in a way that controls your reaction to stimuli. These markers are largely from environmental factors from what happened while you were in the womb, to how you were treated in your childhood, to stressful situations to pollution. And the markers you have accumulated can go-awry as you age.
The good news is that by treatment, including drugs, these markers can be added or removed.
Together with breakthroughs in neuroscience (how our brain works during different mental and emotional conditions), we are about to glean powerful new understandings relevant to our lives as well as careers.
For an intro to the field, view the PBS Nova Science Now program on the subject:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/sciencenow/3411/02.html
That’s my view. What’s yours?
For a few years now, Jim Blasingame and I have shared stories, insights and practical suggestions for survival of small business in tough times. He should be your fave for an unlimited supply of helpful ideas for your business. Go to:
http://blog.smallbusinessadvocate.com/management-fundamentals/small-business-economic-challenges
and also to the home page of smallbusinessadvocate.com
Please let me know how helpful you find this great resource. Jim is, himself, a very successful small business owner who knows whereof he speaks.
As I said in a prior post, the fruit vendor on a nearby street corner in New York City told me he is working on becoming a bank holding company so he can get in line for a bailout. Is there no end?
Today’s announcement it was announced that insurance companies will be allowed to reduce the reserve capital they have to make sure they can pay benefits to customers when the time comes. Isn’t this converting insurers to be like AIG? Isn’t insurance with low reserves the same as gambling?
There was no accompanying clear and detailed plan for oversight. Just like the billions of dollars that have flowed into the investment bank.
That’s my view. What’s yours?
Monday, December 7, 2009
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