Working the System Instead of Fighting It
In my last post, “Which is More Detrimental: Power or Powerlessness?“, I redefined the term “power” to challenge common misconceptions and introduced the seven levers necessary…
Mastery is Merit
You are probably familiar with the saying “there is no substitute for experience” and perhaps can even attest to its accuracy. Over the past several…
Leadership | Power | Power Levers | Teamwork
Degrees of Separation: Leveraging Personal Power
While “six degrees of separation” has historically been a standard reference point, today technology and social networking sites have helped to cut this figure in…
Leadership | Power | Power Levers | Teamwork
Untapped Power of Recognition: Investing in Praise and Feedback
One of the most effective forms of organizational power in today’s workplace is recognition power. However, in speaking with countless executives and supervisors over the…
Leadership | Power | Power Levers | Teamwork
Superheroes and Supervillains: Command and Authority Power
Command and authority power result in speedy compliance, clear direction, and action. Using the “do it because I said so” approach rarely requires discussion or…
Changing the “Quick Fix” Leadership Mindset
In a complex world, speedy solutions rarely work. Unintended consequences, time lags, and interconnected systems whirled with risk and ramifications sidetrack easy solutions. There…
Blind Spots Sabotage Culture Change
As anyone who has ever driven a car knows, blind spots are potentially lethal. This holds true in leading business organizations as well on…
Wouldn’t it be great to have enough power to move the world?
Archimedes was on the right track when he said many years ago, “Give me a lever long enough and a fulcrum on which to place…
Effective Leaders Know When to Hold and When to Fold
If leaders keep on doing what they have always done, they will get the same results, which is a recipe for disaster. Both leaders and…