For many years, I’ve had the pleasure and honor of submitting my Leadership Caffeine articles to the monthly Leadership Development Carnival coordinated by the great team at Weaving Influence. This monthly collection of ideas, inspiration, and guidance for all of us has been a must-read and must-share. On days when the Carnival publishes, I grab a big cup of coffee and my current Moleskine notebook, and I sit back, read, take notes, and learn from giants.
I’m hosting the Carnival here at Management Excellence for the first time this month, and I’m over the moon excited to share this collection of ideas with you. There’s something for everyone, whether your focus is leadership, culture, creativity, or personal growth. I’ll wager you’ll find one or more ideas here that, when acted upon, will make a difference for something important to you in your professional life. And that’s where my personal challenge comes in for you.
I learned from one of my leadership mentors that it takes “just one thing” you try to make a big difference in something that matters to someone. This creative leader helped transform an organization by instilling and empowering this “just one thing” philosophy in the culture. Every day, people came to work thinking about the one thing they could try, propose, or change that would help our customers or their colleagues. The result was almost magical as this organization transformed, driven by a torrent of ideas brought to life.
What one or ten ideas can you mine from this collection that will make a difference for you, your colleagues, or your customers? Remember, it takes just one!
Happy exploring!
How to Determine if Someone Is Trustworthy – Frank Sonnenberg
Think about why you trust some people and mistrust others. What is it about their behavior that makes you feel that way? Connect with Frank on Twitter @FSonnenberg.
Organizational Culture Is Crucial for the Future – Marcella Bremer of Positive Culture
In a time of crisis, it’s crucial that we upgrade ourselves and our organizations. Culture can help change the narrative and develop the core values, key behaviors, and skills to create the future we want. A positive, learning and agile culture helps organizations achieve their positive purpose. Connect with Marcella on Twitter @MarcellaBremer.
Create Bigger Impact By Aligning Your Interests With Your Works – Jillian Massey of Horizon Point Consulting
After joining Horizon Point in 2019, I’ve seen the real-world application of career development theories outside of a formal education environment. In all areas of our work, from FCD Training to HR Consulting to Community Workforce Solutions, and across different industries, demographics, and team dynamics, we utilize career development theory, helping skills, and adult learner strategies. Connect with Jillian on Twitter @jillian_miles.
Risk-Taking And The Law Of Inertia – Bill Treasurer of Giant Leap Consulting
Newton’s first law of motion, the law of inertia, tells us that a body at rest will remain at rest and a body in motion will stay in motion unless acted upon by an outside force. Inertia is defined as the property of an object to resist changes in its state of motion. We, too, are subject to the laws of inertia. Connect with Bill on Twitter @btreasurer.
Is Your Training Contributing to Quiet and Quick Quitting? – Julie Winkle Giulioni
Organizations face daunting challenges. Onboarding and skills development don’t have to be among them. If a future-ready workforce is important to you, learn how to offer skills training that makes a difference with this free resource and the tips in this article that Julie co-authored for the Association for Talent Development (ATD.) Connect with Julie on Twitter @Julie_WG.
The Leadership Cave – Dan Oestreich of Unfolding Leadership
What good and effective leaders do is share their journey and learn to help one another as equals not superiors, becoming stronger and more enlightened via a shared passage through the darkness of individual challenges and private dilemmas. In this way, they develop openness, gravitas, and credibility. Connect with Dan on Twitter @DanOestreich.
The Importance of Being a Thoughtful Leader – Ken Byler of Higher Ground Consulting Group
People notice when we are thoughtful. Who would you rather work with? Someone who is rude and selfish or someone who puts others first? Someone who adapts their emotional response in tense situations or someone who blows their top? Connect with Ken on LinkedIn.
5 Steps for Increasing Your Self-Esteem With Envy – Marcia Reynolds of Covisioning Transformational Leadership
Even confident people measure their value compared to others. Instead of seeing yourself as less than others, these tips will help you use comparison positively. Connect with Marcia on Twitter @marciareynolds.
From Controller to CFO: Nurturing a Financial Leader – Jon Verbeck
One of the most common challenges I’ve found accounting managers and controllers to have is developing a strategic and forward-looking mindset that is more in line with that of a CFO. Many controllers are highly competent in financial reporting and compliance, but may struggle in applying that understanding to the bigger picture, and could benefit from improving their ability to make strategic decisions that impact the future of the company. Connect with Jon on Twitter @jonverbeck1.
5 Important Lessons I Learned Growing Up – Wally Bock of Three Star Leadership
You learn some lessons early and they serve you well for a lifetime. Connect with Wally on Twitter @WallyBock.
Do You Trip Down Memory Lane? – Eileen McDargh
Learn how looking critically at the past can help you discard what doesn’t work, keep what does and move on to greater things! Connect with Eileen on Twitter @macdarling.
Change, Breaking the Mold – Brenda Yoho of Be the Solution Daily
The approaches we used yesterday worked to maintain an average level and, at times, below the levels of what was needed to be mediocre. Today, we are looking to find solutions for exceptional or excellent. The difference between yesterday and today is us. Connect with Brenda on Twitter @BrendaYoho.
When an Uh-Oh Moment Becomes an Aha Moment – Neal Burgis of Successful Solutions
What is your Aha moment? At the same time, when do you realize an Uh-Oh moment? Cracking the code on Aha moments, also known as Eureka moments or Epiphanies, is one thing; doing the same with an uh-oh moment is another. For most people, these moments occur at the most inopportune times; never when you’re searching for it. Few people actually influence the day-to-day performance of the work you do. Connect with Neal on Twitter at @exec_solutions.
Finding Purpose at Work—Ideas to Help – Art Petty
Here’s a not-so-bold claim: individuals who feel a strong sense of purpose in their work are happier, more engaged, and ultimately more successful than those who aren’t clued into this powerful motivator. Yet, for too many of us, including many in leadership roles, that sense of purpose is missing from our working lives. Here are some ideas to mind this gap. Connect with me on Twitter @artpetty.
Approachable Leaders are a Beacon – Jennifer V. Miller of People Equation
Leaders who are approachable have less turnover and better communication with employees. Try these 10 tips to connect better with your team. Connect with Jennifer on Twitter @JenniferVMiller.
Are You Actively Retaining and Attracting New Talent During the Great Resignation? – John Stoker of DialogueWORKS
Every leader has the power to influence the employee experience. These 12 questions will help you to assess the quality of the employee experience from the perspective of the people that work for you. Connect with John on Twitter @JohnRStoker.
Here a Gig, There a Gig – Dr. Beverly Kaye
Originally referring to a series of short-term jobs filled by independent consultants rather than by a company’s full-time employees, “gigs” have served a useful purpose for decades. So, it’s not surprising that organizations more recently spawned their own internal version of the concept – internal gigs or what I like to call “i-gigs.” Connect with Beverly on Twitter @BeverlyLKaye.
Frances Hesselbein: A Leader of Leaders, Who Cared For People First – Michael Lee Stallard
The late Frances Hesselbein – former head of the Girl Scouts of the USA – was a legendary leader. Michael Stallard reflects on the leadership habits that set her apart and helped her to develop highly engaged teams. Connect with Michael on Twitter @michaelstallard.
Employee Experience: Definition, Strategy and Best Practices – David Grossman
How well do you understand your employees’ needs and wants in today’s workplace reality? The challenge and opportunity is to find the right balance between company goals and employee preferences. Ensure your employee experience strategy is holistic with the help of this guide. Connect with David on Twitter @ThoughtPartner.
Tips for Successfully Communicating Performance Feedback – Diana Peterson-More
Who likes to give performance feedback? Unfortunately, while most leaders want it – the good and the constructive – few like to give it. This post focuses on four helpful communication tips to be used when giving feedback – the good, bad, and the ugly! Connect with Diana on Twitter @DianaPMAuthor.
What Is the Ladder of Leadership Awareness, and How Can It Improve Your Problem-Solving? – Sean Glaze of Great Results Team Building
Leadership is a complex and challenging task that requires a variety of skills and qualities to be successful. Confidence, optimism, and empathy are important traits for a leader, but the most important thing a leader can possess is awareness. To do this effectively, leaders must understand and be familiar with the four different levels of awareness on the ladder of leadership. Connect with Sean on Twitter @leadyourteam.
Why Self-Respect Is a Key Leadership Skill – Lisa Kohn of Chatsworth Consulting Group
While we need to be open to feedback, we also need a confident foundation in our strengths and contributions so that we can learn from the feedback, rather than be pierced by it. Connect with Lisa on Twitter @ThoughtfulLdrs.
Reframing the Quest to “Have it All” – The Case for Worklife Equity – Dana Theus of InPower Coaching
To “have it all” individual women need worklife equity. The pursuit of equality – exacerbated by the perpetual invisibility of the unpaid economy and social expectations that women contribute more – is leading us to a place where the quest to “have it all” – for women and men alike – is burning us all out. Connect with Dana on Twitter @DanaTheus.
Leaders in Harmony: What’s the Quality of Your Sound? – Priscilla Archangel of Archangel & Associates
If your leadership team were a band, how would they perform? Think about the performances of musical groups at concerts you’ve attended. They were probably having fun, recognizing their band members by name and accomplishment, and focused on using their craft to create wonderful music for the guests to enjoy. Learn how to lead in harmony. Connect with Priscilla on Twitter @PrisArchangel.
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