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Fueling Innovation: How Microsoft Finally Got It Right

Leading Blog

W E OFTEN THINK of innovation as something visionaries draw out of thin air, like manna from heaven. Here’s an innovation story that’s closer to reality: It’s a story of loss, grit, and renewal. It’s also about a never-too-late approach to innovation that enabled a floundering business to launch a second golden age.

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How to Stop Being Perceived as Negative at Work

Let's Grow Leaders

One of the big culprits that leads to a negative Eeyore leadership style, is HOW YOU RESPOND TO IDEAS. You’re in a leadership meeting, and your boss proposes an idea that sounds great IN THEORY. How you respond to ideas will influence how you’re perceived Imagine this. What would YOU ADD?

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Why A Receptive Environment Is Key If We Want Employees To Propose New Ideas

The Horizons Tracker

As Machiavelli famously said, proposing change is a risky endeavor, as you’re only likely to garner lukewarm support from those who could benefit from your proposal, but strong opposition from those who might lose out. If there is any sign that proposing improvements might be punished or frowned upon and people rapidly clam up.

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How to Build a Team of Innovators

Great Leadership By Dan

Guest post by Chuck Swoboda : As increasing competition, new technologies and evolving customer expectations continue to disrupt nearly every industry, business leaders are turning to innovation as a way to keep their companies relevant. The standard solution is to create teams that focus explicitly on innovation. The problem?

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Never Say Never: The Importance of Word Choice in Leadership Communication

Leading Blog

For example, “Pat is just our assistant,” “You need to just figure it out,” or “Just wondering if you’ve looked at the proposal.” The words we use matter, especially in a leadership role where our teams regularly react and listen closely to what we share. This word becomes problematic when we use it in the context of people.

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First Look: Leadership Books for January 2020

Leading Blog

Here's a look at some of the best leadership books to be released in January 2020. It proposes that the best teachers are also leaders, and the best leaders are also teachers. Think Outside the Building : How Advanced Leaders Can Change the World One Smart Innovation at a Time by Rosabeth Moss Kanter.

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William Donaldson on Entrepreneurial Leadership

Leading Blog

That mindset is “about the application of creative thinking and prudent risk-taking to build innovative, long-lasting organizations in any sector of the economy.” Simply put, I believe that entrepreneurial is a mindset—a way of thinking—and leadership is a way of acting. He focused on the personal characteristics of the leader.