Leadership Articles by Don Blohowiak

These articles about leadership improvement are offered to you at no charge. They were written by Don Blohowiak of the Lead Well Institute which specializes in custom leadership development.

Information about permission to publish these leadership articles is provided at the end of each piece.

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Leading Older Workers: What Younger Managers Must Do Encouraging & Developing Others   A younger person put in a position to supervise older co-workers faces a delicate challenge, that can be managed successfully with a little interpersonal finesse. Full Text

Great Leadership Depends Aligning & Leveraging the Organization   You might be doing everything a good leader is supposed to do and still find yourself both frustrated and ineffective. Consider the vital role of organizational systems in supporting or thwarting great leadership. Full Text

Take Seriously Your Fire Power Selecting Colleagues   Does firing a member of your staff hurt the morale of those who remain? Full Text

Avoid dead-end meetings! Managing Processes & Work Flow   Before attending any meeting, ask these critical questions. Full Text

Too Busy? Think About This Maximizing Own Effectiveness   The headline over the ad reads:  "Innovative Thinking? We Don't Even Have Time for Bad Thinking." Here's how to get time to think. Full Text

"I Refuse" — Disobeying Orders Implies Leadership Failure Aligning & Leveraging the Organization   Part-time soldiers called to active duty in Iraq refused a direct order to drive a fuel convoy to supply fellow comrades-in-arms. Full Text

Leadership Credibility: Let's Stop the Freefall! Modeling Values   Credibility is the soul of leadership.  But it seems in rare supply these days. Full Text

Dissenter's Dilemma: When to Stay; When to Go? Perspectives on Leadership   The lessons from Colin Powell's tenure in, and resignation from, the Bush Administration. Full Text

Getting to Know Your New (or Old) Staff Encouraging & Developing Others   "When you take over a new department, how do you get up to speed with all your new staff?," a client recently asked. Full Text

Does Leadership Development Really Work? Encouraging & Developing Others    Does <em>leadership development</em> lead to better leadership? How about better results? Full Text

Knowing vs. Doing Assessing & Adjusting Performance   There is a progression to effective learning. It is a process&#151;for both individuals and organizations. Full Text

Watch for Ethical Danger Signs Modeling Values   Here are some guidelines to help you know when you should raise your own alarms about potential problems with business ethics in your workplace. Full Text

Enron Aftermath Teaches Yet Another Leadership Lesson Assessing & Adjusting Performance   As a leader, your credibility depends on treating everyone fairly. And that means overcoming your natural feelings-based biases to see people's performances as they truly are. Full Text

Conversations—Not Edicts—Propel Change Efforts Encouraging & Developing Others   The incessant cliche claims that "people resist change." But pull back the curtain on this over-worn folk phrase and you'll find much more revealing and instructive truths. Full Text

Comic Insight: Competence is Circumstantial Selecting Colleagues    The television comedy Scrubs provides a good illustration of competence at work. Full Text

Fairness Guide: The Universal Empathy Principle Modeling Values   Even when you want to be fair to everyone in life, it's sometimes very hard to know what the really right thing to do is.  Here's a simple yet profound guide. Full Text

What's that? Confirm for Understanding Communicating (Personally & Publicly)   Messages that are sent "loud and clear" aren't always received that way. Full Text

Reverent Leadership: Become a Leader with the 'Right Feelings' Maximizing Own Effectiveness   The best leadership book I've read in a very long time isn't a leadership tome, but is a profound guide to leading effectively. Full Text

Tongue Planted in Cheek: You, Too, Can Be Mediocre! Perspectives on Leadership   Despair, Inc. markets "motivational" products straight out of the <b><a href="http://www.dilbert.com" target="_blank">Dilbert</a></b> school of workplace mockery and cynicism. Full Text

Puppy Love Communicating (Personally & Publicly)   A boss should not strive to be unpopular. To not be warm & fuzzy. Full Text

Up Selling: How To Sell Your Boss Communicating (Personally & Publicly)   Thoughts on influencing the organizational power seated above you. Full Text

Analyze This Managing Processes & Work Flow   The classic Cause & Effect (fishbone) diagram revisited. Full Text

Poll Vault: The Most Important Question In An Employee Survey Listening & Seeking Input   Here's the most important question you must ask when preparing a survey of your employees. And it's one that you'll never include in the actual survey. Full Text

Resolutions Into Reality Deciding Purpose, Priorities & Outcomes   If you're planning resolutions for the coming year, make it worth your while. Don't just dream and dash off a wish list. Here's how to give yourself the gift of New Year's resolutions that truly give you the life you imagine. Full Text

Values @ Work Maximizing Own Effectiveness   People whose work aligns best with their highly individualized values are simultaneously the most relaxed and energized. Call it the Paradox of Happy Alignment. What motivates each individual is a mix of various personal values. Here's a list of common motivators. Full Text

Before You Fire Someone… Selecting Colleagues   To make firing a substandard performer as swift, clean, and painless for everyone involved, be sure to follow these ten steps. Full Text

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