Thoughts on the challenging and complex job of being a people manager, how to succeed and how to stay sane while you do it.
“Great leaders are not defined by the absence of weakness, but rather by the presence of clear strengths.” — John Peter Zenger In our “City of Lights” series, we’ve delved into the unique roles defined by Patrick Lencioni’s model of Working Geniuses. Today, we venture into the dreaded Department of …
“To lead yourself, use your head; to lead others, use your heart. Always touch a person’s heart before you ask him for a hand.” – John Maxwell Welcome back to our urban exploration of the City of Lights, the metaphorical landscape of our corporate world. So far, we’ve met the …
“Resentment is like drinking poison and then hoping it will kill your enemies.” – Nelson Mandela Imagine this: You’re sitting in a meeting, and a comment from a colleague takes you back to that moment, months ago, when they took credit for your work. It stings, still fresh, like it …
“The truth you believe and cling to makes you unavailable to hear anything new.” – Pema Chodron Every human being who works with others faces challenging situations that can seem overwhelming. And if you are responsible for leading teams or organizations, the challenges multiply geometrically. This can render you sensitive …
“Mindfulness isn’t just a tool, it’s a path to a more present, compassionate, and effective leadership.” – Adapted from “Mindfulness, Emotions, and Leadership,” Journal of Management & Organization (2023) In today’s fast-paced corporate environment, leaders often grapple with high stress and demanding responsibilities. This blog, inspired by insights from the …
“Mindfulness is not just some esoteric practice; it’s a practical tool. Skeptics might see it as airy-fairy, but once they understand the real, tangible benefits it brings to focus, stress reduction, and self-awareness, they often become the most dedicated practitioners.” – Jeff Warren, meditation teacher and mindfulness expert In the …
“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.” – Marcel Proust I recently spent 2 weeks with my elderly mom while she underwent major surgery. We’ve been separated by distance and family dramas for many years, and I was nervous about how …
“Meetings are indispensable when you don’t want to do anything.” – John Kenneth Galbraith Imagine you’re trapped in a room; the only escape is through a door marked “Effective Use of Time”. You look around; there are too many people, too much noise, and not enough air. That’s what it …
“Trust is built in drops and lost in buckets.” – Doug Conant Being a good person is lovely and a great start. But you didn’t get that title or responsibility because you’re up for Ms. or Mr. Congeniality, or the Most Likely to be Liked Award. You’re here to be …
“Staying vulnerable is a risk we have to take if we want to experience connection.” – Brene’ Brown In the nuanced game of managing people, the role of accountability cannot be overstated. When we have lack of accountability in an organization, what I call a Culture Cancer invades the organization’s …
