Jesse Lyn Stoner Blog

OCTOBER 5, 2016

Let’s face it, when you delegate, the buck still stops with you. You’re still accountable for any screw-ups. When the stakes are high, no wonder you want to be in the middle of things and over-manage. Even when the stakes aren’t high, sometimes it’s just easier to do it yourself than take the time to explain it, […]. The post Why you over-manage, under-manage, and sometimes do both appeared first on Seapoint Center for Collaborative Leadership.

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Management Delegation Leadership 246

Jesse Lyn Stoner Blog

AUGUST 17, 2016

It’s pretty common these days to hear complaints about lack of leadership, poor leadership, and disappointment with those who are in leadership roles. In a recent World Economic Forum survey, 86% of the respondents reported they believe there is a leadership crisis in the world today. But with all this talk about leadership, are we […]. The post A definition of leadership for pressing conversations appeared first on Seapoint Center for Collaborative Leadership.

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Definition Leadership Crisis Survey 201

Jesse Lyn Stoner Blog

JULY 5, 2016

What you don’t see CAN hurt you. and your team. Unexamined beliefs can undermine your good intentions. Here are five questions to help surface some important leadership beliefs and to consider how well your actions reflect them. 1. What do you stand for? What do you care deeply about? When you know what you hold most dear, […]. The post 5 Questions to Surface Your Leadership Beliefs appeared first on Seapoint Center for Collaborative Leadership.

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Leadership Team 241

Jesse Lyn Stoner Blog

MAY 17, 2016

Trust is like a bank account. You start a new relationship with a certain amount of trust, and then over time you add to that account to build a solid foundation. And like a bank account, it can be emptied overnight, if you’re not careful about your investment. Why does it matter? Trust is the […]. The post The 4 Dimensions of Trust appeared first on Seapoint Center for Collaborative Leadership.

Banking 240

Banking Leadership 240

Jesse Lyn Stoner Blog

NOVEMBER 15, 2016

The recent US elections might have been the most contentious ever. And strong feelings continue to abound. Even though the elections are over, many people are deeply worried about what will happen next. Each side was very concerned about what would happen if their candidate did not win. And now, half the voting population must deal […]. The post How to Talk about Politics at Work appeared first on Seapoint Center for Collaborative Leadership.

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Politics How To Leadership 198

Jesse Lyn Stoner Blog

DECEMBER 19, 2016

It’s easy to know what’s ethical when your choices are clear-cut. If you hit a parked car, should you leave your contact information for the owner? Should you use insider information to make a stock market trade? Should you lie on your expense report? But there’s a huge grey zone where the choices are not so […]. The post Do an Ethics Check to Navigate the Gray Zone appeared first on Seapoint Center for Collaborative Leadership.

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Ethics Report Information Marketing 181

Jesse Lyn Stoner Blog

NOVEMBER 7, 2016

What will we do after the US elections? Will we further our divisions into a stalemate or find common ground to move forward as a nation? In his article A Prayer for Tuesday, Alan Briskin suggests the possibility that we have “reached a nadir, a low point in our national discourse, from which we could rise.” […]. The post Quotes from Great US Political Leaders appeared first on Seapoint Center for Collaborative Leadership.

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Politics Article Leadership 209

Jesse Lyn Stoner Blog

JUNE 14, 2016

When you assume responsibility for work, you face countless decisions each day. You must determine which decisions to make on your own and when to involve others. No matter what your role or level, whether you are CEO or a project leader, the same questions arise about when and how to involve others in decisions. Most people simply follow […].

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CEO Project Leadership How To 179

Jesse Lyn Stoner Blog

JUNE 22, 2016

This is the 5th anniversary of my blog! With over a half million views last year and near the top of almost every list of best leadership blogs, it has been successful beyond anything I had imagined. And so, I’ve decided to pass along some of the lessons I’ve learned about how to write a blog […]. The post How to Write a Blog People Want to Read appeared first on Seapoint Center for Collaborative Leadership.

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Blog How To Succession Leadership 208

Jesse Lyn Stoner Blog

MAY 31, 2016

One of the leadership dimensions that often gets marked lowest on 360 assessments is the one related to “disclosing information about self.” When reviewing assessment results with coaching clients, I have noticed that those who are rated low on this trait are often confused. Either they think they are pretty open and transparent and don’t […].

Leadership 170

Leadership Review Information 170

Jesse Lyn Stoner Blog

AUGUST 3, 2016

Did you ever find your self in a mess and wonder how you got there? There’s no guarantee your decisions are always going to be good ones. Too much is unpredictable. However, many of us have had the experience of looking back on a situation and thinking “I should have known better. The warning signs […]. The post Why Smart People Make Dumb Decisions appeared first on Seapoint Center for Collaborative Leadership.

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Leadership 169

Jesse Lyn Stoner Blog

DECEMBER 27, 2016

This was another banner year for my blog. Highlights included receiving the Conant Leadership Champion Award, being near the top of almost every list of top leadership bloggers, and celebrating my 5th anniversary. (I’m not a newbie anymore!) Once again, I am in awe of the number of insightful and thought-provoking comments on my posts. […].

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Blog Leadership 192

Jesse Lyn Stoner Blog

DECEMBER 7, 2016

Successful leaders listen because they know that they don’t know everything they need to know. Who do you listen to? Abraham Lincoln understood that if you surround yourself with people who agree with you, you will miss out on important information and perspective. Charged with unifying a divided country, he understood that the strongest cabinet […].

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Succession Information Leadership 166

Jesse Lyn Stoner Blog

AUGUST 24, 2016

Leadership is not something you can provide. The definition of provide is “to offer, give, supply, or make available for use.” You can provide food, shelter, and even sympathy. But leadership is not a matter of simply “offering” or “providing.” For leadership to occur, a response is required. Leadership is a phenomenon that occurs when one […].

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Leadership Definition 163

Jesse Lyn Stoner Blog

FEBRUARY 9, 2016

“I would knock on his door and ask if he had a moment to talk. He’d set aside what he was doing, sit back, and give me his full attention. He was a busy man, but he made me feel there was nothing more important than what I had to say,” Andres reminisced. “Were you his protégé?” I asked. “No, he treated everyone like that.”. We were talking about Andres’ best boss.

Leadership 160

Leadership 160

Jesse Lyn Stoner Blog

MARCH 1, 2016

Most managers spend about 35% to 50% of their time in meetings. And most team members report it is a waste of time. This is because they are meetings that don’t matter to anyone other than the team leader. Although it is not clearly stated, the purpose of most meetings is to share information, primarily with the […]. The post Stop Holding Meetings That Don’t Matter appeared first on Seapoint Center for Collaborative Leadership.

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Report Team Information Management 156

Jesse Lyn Stoner Blog

APRIL 12, 2016

I recently sent out a tweet, “When you forgive, the person who benefits most is yourself.” Someone who responded, “I”ll never forgive because what they did was unforgiveable.” I understand that feeling because I’ve experienced it myself. When you’ve been betrayed by someone you trusted or have been injured by someone who had power over […]. The post “Forgive and Live” to Increase Personal Mastery appeared first on Seapoint Center for Collaborative Leadership.

Power 156

Power Leadership 156

Jesse Lyn Stoner Blog

MARCH 8, 2016

Marcia complained over coffee, “I avoid the team meetings whenever I can. They take way too long and drive me crazy. There are a couple of guys who go on and on about stuff that doesn’t matter and monopolize the time.” They might think they’re showing everyone how clever they are, but what they’re really […]. The post Do you serve your team or are you a self-serving team member?

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Team Leadership Teamwork 155

Jesse Lyn Stoner Blog

SEPTEMBER 1, 2016

Thursday Thoughts: Too much time in the safety of your comfort zone leads to stagnation. Too much time outside your comfort zone is anxiety-producing. If you want to grow, dance along the edge of your comfort zone. Take a step over every once in awhile, and then come back to relax and integrate what you learned. Growth […]. The post Growth occurs at the edge of your comfort zone appeared first on Seapoint Center for Collaborative Leadership.

Leadership 169

Leadership 169

Jesse Lyn Stoner Blog

NOVEMBER 1, 2016

Guest Post by Larry Ackerman I am honored to host this guest post by my friend and colleague Larry Ackerman. His provocative message on politics in America today is timely and worthy of reflection. Ever wonder how birds get around, how they are able to fly? They use their strong breast muscles to flap […]. The post But, what about the bird? …on politics in America today appeared first on Seapoint Center for Collaborative Leadership.

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Politics Leadership 152

Jesse Lyn Stoner Blog

FEBRUARY 2, 2016

What happens when you have to admit you don’t know what you’re doing? Sometimes the power of authenticity is the key to turning things around. So I learned in my first job out of college. I had landed a prestigious job as a demonstration teacher at New Mexico State University. The classroom was housed in the school of education, surrounded by one-way mirrors.

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Power Education Learning-by-Doing Positioning 152

Jesse Lyn Stoner Blog

MARCH 15, 2016

The jump from the role of individual contributor to a first-time manager is one of the the most dramatic and most challenging leaps one can make. It requires a complete shift in how you see your role and in how you deliver results. And unfortunately, most people who are promoted into that role are ill-prepared. A common mistake organizations […].

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Management Team Organization Leadership 150

Jesse Lyn Stoner Blog

JUNE 7, 2016

Has your team’s performance fallen off lately? Was it once exciting to be part of the team, and lately you find you’re not having fun? Perhaps your team has succumbed to team drift. In my Harvard Business Review article, “Diagnose and Cure Team Drift,” I explain how to revitalize a formerly high-performing team that has […]. The post Caught in Team Drift?

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Team Review Article Leadership 149

Jesse Lyn Stoner Blog

JANUARY 4, 2016

My year-end review has become one of my favorite posts to write. I get to take my own advice – to reflect on the big picture, look for patterns, and see what I can learn. Here’s what I found: ➤ A record number of page views – over a half-million during 2015! ➤ A record number of awards and recognition this year! ➤ My blog is especially popular in: The USA, The UK, Canada, India, Australia, South Africa, and Germany. ➤ 53% of my readers are below the age of 35. ➤ 54% are male; 46% are

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Review Blog Advice Leadership 149

Jesse Lyn Stoner Blog

MARCH 28, 2016

Traditionally, career paths have been based on the idea of “moving up the ladder.” Success is measured by how high you get. A lateral move is usually not seen as a smart career move. Even when changing jobs to increase your skills, the expectation is the new position will be a step higher up the […]. The post Take Down Your Corporate Ladder and Support Career Disruption appeared first on Seapoint Center for Collaborative Leadership.

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Career Skills Positioning Succession 149

Jesse Lyn Stoner Blog

APRIL 19, 2016

As mindfulness comes more and more into the mainstream and business world, I am often asked where vision fits. Since mindfulness is about being fully present with the experience of each moment and vision is about a future you desire, how can you do both at the same time? Do you have to choose between the present and […]. The post Mindfulness and Vision are Complementary appeared first on Seapoint Center for Collaborative Leadership.

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Leadership Strategy 144

Jesse Lyn Stoner Blog

JULY 19, 2016

I was recently on a panel looking at the future of leadership. Here are my responses to how to face today’s challenges in a way that prepares us for the future. What do you think are the biggest challenges facing leaders today? A big challenge is the speed of change and how to embrace disruption […]. The post Q&A with Jesse Stoner on Challenges Facing Leaders Today appeared first on Seapoint Center for Collaborative Leadership.

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Leadership How To 144

Jesse Lyn Stoner Blog

JANUARY 11, 2016

The theory of a bell curve is that most people are average, with a small percent at the top being top performers and a small percent at the bottom being losers. But when it comes to performance, the truth is the bell curve only exists if you believe it does. Robert Rosenthal and Lenore Jacobson showed this 50 years ago. In their famous study, they gave students IQ tests to predict their ability to achieve and then shared the results with their teachers.

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Development Team Leadership Leadership Development 142

Jesse Lyn Stoner Blog

MAY 25, 2016

The news these days is filled with disturbing accounts of bad leadership behavior. The current U.S. elections have been particularly contentious… with attacks on the personal instead of the issues… reinforcing fear instead of articulating a vision for the country. This is not True Leadership. Leadership is about going somewhere. If you don’t have a […].

Leadership 153

Leadership 153

Jesse Lyn Stoner Blog

JANUARY 26, 2016

Chances are you will initiate a change that affects your whole team or start a major team project in the near future. And chances are it will not make the impact you had hoped for. A 2008 study by IBM found that over 60 percent of change efforts do not fully meet their objectives, and a 2013 Towers Watson study revealed only 25% are sustained over time.

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Guidelines Team Objective Project 142

Jesse Lyn Stoner Blog

APRIL 5, 2016

In 2011, I asked What Happened to Vision? It generated a fascinating, thought-provoking conversation. When presenting my question, I had noted: Studies of high performing organizations show over and over again that shared vision is one of the key differentiators. As more and more organizations are flattening their hierarchy and pushing authority and decision making down […].

Organization 141

Organization Leadership Strategy 141

Jesse Lyn Stoner Blog

MAY 10, 2016

Rarely will you have the luxury of time to plan everything out before you start a new project or change initiative. And even if you do, it’s likely that unforeseen circumstances will send you back to the drawing board. However, jumping ahead with no plans is a recipe for disaster. Instead of planning and then […]. The post The Planning Doing Cycle appeared first on Seapoint Center for Collaborative Leadership.

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Planning Project Leadership Team 141

Jesse Lyn Stoner Blog

FEBRUARY 15, 2016

Is greatness an attribute reserved for only a few special people? Abraham Lincoln didn’t think so. He believed we are each capable of greatness. Most of the good of the world builds on the accumulated efforts of everyday people doing small things in a great way. A story is told about Abraham Lincoln’s response to a sermon by his friend Reverend Phineas Gurley of the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church.

Leadership 141

Leadership 141

Jesse Lyn Stoner Blog

AUGUST 11, 2016

Thursday Thoughts: Successful leaders understand that true power comes, not from exercising control, but from empowering others. * * * * * * * * * […]. The post Successful leaders understand true power appeared first on Seapoint Center for Collaborative Leadership.

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Power Succession Leadership 138

Jesse Lyn Stoner Blog

DECEMBER 15, 2016

Thursday Thoughts: Let your history inform you, not define you. It’s important to remember our history because we are grounded in the experience and lessons we have learned. But you don’t have to keep repeating your history. And who you were doesn’t have to define who you are becoming. This is true for us as individuals […]. The post Let your history inform you, not define you appeared first on Seapoint Center for Collaborative Leadership.

Information 136

Information Leadership 136

Jesse Lyn Stoner Blog

JANUARY 18, 2016

Masters of change like Martin Luther King, Jr, Mahatma Gandhi, and Nelson Mandela understood that vision alone is rarely enough. Real change masters leverage the physics of change to bring about transformation. Newton’s First Law: An object at rest stays at rest and an object in motion stays in motion with the same speed and in the same direction unless acted upon by an unbalancing force.

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Objective Organization Leadership Lewin 137

Jesse Lyn Stoner Blog

FEBRUARY 22, 2016

You have a clear vision. Maybe it’s a vision of the kind of leader you want to be, or the kind of partner you want to be, or the kind of parent you want to be, or how you want to inhabit your body, or how you want to show up in the world. It’s the […]. The post Why You Fall Off Track and 4 Tips to Get Back on Track appeared first on Seapoint Center for Collaborative Leadership.

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Tips Leadership 134