It's unusual to read something balanced and practical about CSR. Activists want business to carry the wrap for everything. Apologists limit it to immediate operating activities and what the law requires. True, the primary responsibility is to sell sound products that people want, employ and reward fairly and act honesty and responsibly. But, the authors of a recent HBR article offer an insightful approach to the boundary issue of what is and...more
Successful leaders offer both an uplifting goal and the steps to get there. The secret's in the balance. If you're only visionary, your legacy may well be just that: a high-potential but unrealised dream. People love it, but nothing happens. Equally, if you're only focused on action and implementation, your people may be busy as hell but going nowhere. On long flights, I sometimes cook up an idea and enjoy the experience of what the outcome might...more
Seth Godin is part blogger, part public intellectual. Some days, he really nails a topic. Here's an abbreviated introduction to a recent posting*."The typical American buys precisely one book a year..(but) when it comes to books, there is no typical American. There are a lot of Americans who buy zero books..and then there are people like me who buy 400. The average is irrelevant."It's the old warning of the non-swimmer, who drowned in a river of one-metre average depth. So, what's the equivalent for your leadership? Are you just taking "average" one-size-fits-all actions? Here's a three-step alternative.List your current leadership challenges and then:Sort them into technical and people issues. Are they more about commercial problems, technical delivery and market/competition issues? Or, engaging team members, showing self-awareness, defining roles or perhaps creating fun and celebration? Let's say they're more about people.So, break down those people issues further. Imagine you're in their shoes: how are they feeling? How does life look from where they stand? Do they enjoy personal engagement with you? Or, are they lonely and stressed to breaking point? What would they recommend?...more
Australia's Prime Minister, Treasurer and hapless Government have locked themselves in a citadel of denial. They're defending a resources super-profits tax, that's been ill-conceived and badly introduced. The local media are full of it as are key overseas financial reports. In Australia, not only mining people but also ex Labor Ministers, retired...more
Daily papers and serious journals are currently full of articles about sovereign risk. The possibility Greece or other European countries (particularly those fringing the Mediterranean) will default or reschedule their debt. This could undermine the standing and even the survival of the euro. Wikipedia defines it thus: the risk of a government...more
A lot of people know that being a good leader isn't purely based on what a person has. Although some characteristics of being a leader are shown at an early age, good and effective leadership is generally obtained from trainings and workshops. Most successful organizations and companies that hire leaders know that leadership development training is an important factor in molding a great and successful leader.Most people who are involved in leadership development are sponsored by their respective companies. They are enrolled on management trainings and spend days, weeks or even months depending on the training and workshop involved. A lot of employees attend these workshops in order to improve their leadership abilities and some just don't want to. Being able to have a leadership development training course is a good investment on time and money. It doesn't only give the participant the skills but also the opportunity to share and practice his abilities for the success of the company that he works in.Why does one even have to go through leadership development? Is it a necessity on every company? As we all know, being a leader is not an easy task. Taking care of a lot of people and...more
Kevin Rudd resigned his Prime Ministership rather than face being voted out by his own party colleagues. What transformed a resounding electoral win in December 2007 into this current humiliation? More importantly, as leaders, how can you or I avoid...more
What do these four statements have in common: I always exclude my own interests from business decisions; I exercise a strong sense of objectivity; I've learnt to proceed slowly and not rush decisions; unsurprisingly, the record shows I make good...more
How do you rate yourself on the following five actions? Showing self-awareness?. Demonstrating authenticity, integrity and compassion? Understanding and engaging people as individuals? Showing self-leadership and adaptability? Communicating,...more
Recently a young friend failed to bid at an auction for an apartment he'd decided to buy. At the last minute, his resolve was undermined by adverse comments on the property from a trusted, older colleague. He could at least see in this case where the...more
If you've just been promoted, you might want to read "Letter to a newly appointed CEO" by Ian Davis, a former Managing Director of McKinsey & Co. It's a practical checklist whatever your seniority and even if you've been in your role for some time....more
Stress caused due to work and routine can bring an immense void in our mental health. To find our environment turn inconclusive can be dejecting. Nothing seems to work even when you are working your hardest to meet deadlines . Ad-mist all the chaos...more