Archive for April, 2011
The challenges of 360 degree feedback
360 degree feedback is a standard practice of the leadership development and coaching industry. It is commonly used, and organisations will spend considerable sums of money developing competency frameworks for their organisations, defining behaviours for those competencies, and assigning different behaviours to different hierarchical levels. They will then subsequently build a 360 degree feedback instrument based upon this […]
Many of the leadership development programmes that I am asked to take on have a theme of equipping managers to handle ambiguity and uncertainty. In today’s world where change and uncertainty are key themes, leaders are required who can remain calm and collected, who are able to think things through and come to reasoned responses. […]
I see them everywhere, across all industries and organisations, and like lambs to the slaughter they steadfastly refuse to acknowledge organisational politics, all whilst being shafted by those who abuse their political awareness. They say, in righteous tones: “But it shouldn’t work that like that!” “I should be rewarded on the basis of what I […]
On a recent leadership development course, with senior executives, I led a discussion on ‘integrity’. We started with trying to agree a definition – and there was considerable disagreement. Some argued it was relative, and that integrity was all about living in line with your values, beliefs, ethics and morals. Others argued that it was […]
There is much written on the subject of finding our voice. It’s a critical element in leadership, but actually I believe it’s just critical for human beings, and at times one of the hardest lessons to learn. It’s easier to hide and be small rather than stick our heads above the parapet and be seen and […]
The recent student protests in London, and other UK cities, are more reminiscent of French or Greek protests, than the usual UK response. Now, whilst I deplore attempts to harm others and wilful vandalism, these protests have reminded me of the vital importance of getting angry. (I could also use the word passionate here, but to […]