From the category archives:

Teamwork

Recently I listened to a wonderful 10 minute HBR interview with 85-year old leadership guru Warren Bennis. Opening question: What are two or three of the characteristics of really great leaders?

1. Great leaders build great teams. “You can’t win this contest without a lot of help. It ain’t just one man.”

2. Great leaders have good judgment. Great leaders have the ability to select people who have the capacity to get things done AND play well with others in the sandbox.

I am impressed with Warren’s insights into the crucible of war and the crucible of age, sacrifice, generosity, respect and what he calls “leadership grace.”

Warren’s final question was: “If you want to be a great leader, you need to….”

How would you finish that sentence?

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What Is Shared Leadership?

Leadership

Leadership is hard work. Good leadership is really hard work. Today’s dynamic, rapidly changing knowledge economy provides an ever-shifting landscape that requires multiple perspectives to navigate well. Exit the know-it-all, do-it-all leader. Enter the self-aware, in-touch connector that can share leadership by pulling people, resources and ideas together to get the job done. What is [...]

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3 comments Read the full article → June 9, 2010

Trust: Three Ways to Build It

Leadership

What’s the number one quality followers look for in leaders or peers they allow to influence them? Trust.* Trust is confidence based on previous experience. Trust is the foundation that must bear the daily load of bumps and bruises in every personal and working relationship. Trust often takes months or even years to build, but [...]

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3 comments Read the full article → May 20, 2010

My Ride Across Florida 2010

Teamwork

Yesterday I rode my Cannondale road bike 170 miles coast-to-coast across the state of Florida in 11 hours and 1 minute. It was harder and easier than I had envisioned.

This would not have been possible (for me, anyway) without the dynamic, organic teamwork that occurs within a cycling group. It would have been unthinkable in the mid-90′s heat and 40 miles of hills without roadside encouragement and support from my wife and others. They provided water, food, fresh electrolyte-laden bottles, cold towels, and lots of smiling encouragement to keep on going.

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11 comments Read the full article → May 3, 2010

Four Secrets For Extreme Endurance

Leadership

The farthest I’ve ever cycled in one day was 92 miles. Tomorrow is nearly twice that distance. During my last few training rides I’ve been asking myself: Will my body even be able to endure this distance and time in the saddle? What will be necessary to finish well? Here are four crucial secrets to extreme endurance that I’ve gleaned from veterans. It seems these same principles apply to many other challenging endeavors in life:

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1 comment Read the full article → May 1, 2010

Big Win for a Non: Wikipedia

Leadership

This should be interesting. Wikimedia (the non-profit foundation that supports Wikipedia) has just announced that it is going to open it up its strategic planning process. In a world where most strategic plans are designed by a few behind closed doors it’s nice to breathe some fresh air. This HBR post explains how Wikipedia will [...]

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1 comment Read the full article → September 22, 2009

When I Survey…

Leadership

If you currently lead someone or follow someone else – in any area of life – you qualify for this survey. I’m conducting some research into relationships between leaders and followers across cultures. I would love to know about your current experience. If you have 4 minutes to answer 13 multiple choice questions, just click [...]

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0 comments Read the full article → September 12, 2009