Leadership Freak
OCTOBER 28, 2013
'Leave a comment on today’s post for a chance to win one of one hundred copies of, The Heart of Leadership. Leadership is a matter of character before skill. In other words, it’s about who you are. Fakers are exposed, eventually. Fake leaders – those with skills but lacking character – inevitably sink. Skills […].
Kevin Eikenberry
OCTOBER 7, 2013
'We have all sat through many presentations in our professional lives. Unfortunately far too many of them are, shall we say, “less-than-awesome”. Unfortunately, we see some of the causes for failures over and over. In other words the wrong things get repeated by those who aren’t thinking, or don’t know any better. With that in […].
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Eric Jacobsen Blog
OCTOBER 23, 2013
'If you want to delight your customers, then the book by Steve Curtin, Delight Your Customers -- 7 Simple Ways to Raise Your Customer Service from Ordinary to Extraordinary , is a must-read for you and your employees. Published this summer, the book explains the seven ways for you and your employees to demonstrate exceptional customer service : Express genuine interest Offer sincere and specific compliments Share unique knowledge Convey authentic enthusiasm Use appropriate humor Provide pleasant
Harvard Business Review
OCTOBER 1, 2013
'The American worker just can’t seem to get a break. Automation is wiping out whole job categories, from cashiers to machine-builders, while pressures from globalization, trade, and new Internet-driven business models have disrupted industries and displaced hundreds of thousands of workers. And the prescribed solution — education — is becoming increasingly unaffordable for most Americans.
Speaker: Liz Charron
From evolving legislation to shifting workforce expectations, background screening is undergoing major transformation and HR is in the driver’s seat. With new compliance requirements and growing scrutiny, today’s HR leaders must build programs that are not only audit-ready, but outcome-driven. HR Management and Employee Relations Expert, Liz Charron, will delve into how HR teams can navigate the latest legal changes, connect screening to workforce ROI, and embed these practices into the very fab
Leadership Freak
OCTOBER 14, 2013
'The danger of disrespect is disconnection. You cannot connect with someone you don’t respect. The power of respect is loyalty. Leaders receive respect because of position, but lose it because of behavior. Earning it back requires sweat and patience. 10 Ways to lose respect: Act like you know when you don’t. Keep a bus handy […].
Leadership Freak
OCTOBER 4, 2013
'Image source She said, “Violating gender stereo types,” in response to, “What unique challenges do women in leadership experience.” I asked the question at the beginning of a presentation for a Woman’s Business Consortium. Assertiveness: When a woman is assertive she’s bossy and resented. She’s bitchy. But, when a man is assertive he’s powerful and […].
OrgDev Digest brings together the best content for management professionals from the widest variety of industry thought leaders.
Leadership Freak
OCTOBER 27, 2013
'Position intimidates. High titles inspire fear. Your right to tell others no creates unease. Intimidation is easy, even if you don’t mean to. Combine silence with frowns. Keep people in the dark. Stand over and cross your arms. Don’t smile. Stare. Never laugh. Get angry, hold grudges, and get even. Remain distant and aloof. Intentional […].
Leadership Freak
OCTOBER 30, 2013
'The same people sitting around the same table produce the same results. It’s dumb to think otherwise. It’s even dumber to expect the people who caused the problem to solve it. The future is the past without intervention. Working harder, if you’re already working hard, won’t change much. Efficiency is never the path to exponential […].
Leadership Freak
OCTOBER 9, 2013
'Intimidation requires position or perceived power but influence is a function of connection. Distance and threat are the tools of bullies. Intimidators reach down from power towers and squeeze peons with fear. Intimidators lose power when they connect. Leaders gain influence when they connect. Influence answers fear and draws near. Transparency: Connection requires transparency.
Leadership Freak
OCTOBER 31, 2013
'You’ll never be the best. “Strategy is not about being the best, but about being unique.” Jerome De Flander, author of, The Execution Shortcut. Unique value is the best. Finding unique: Look for the one word that best describes your unique value. Ask new customers for the best word that describes their experience with your […].
Speaker: Chandra McCormack, CPA, MBA, NACD.DC
Technical degrees might open doors—but it’s the soft skills that keep them open. In the face of disruption, evolving workplace dynamics, and rising expectations of leadership, soft skills like communication, emotional intelligence, and presence have become core business essentials—not nice-to-haves. Inspired by stories from her father coupled with her own career journey, seasoned executive Chandra McCormack breaks down how to lead with impact, connect with purpose, and cultivate a workplace cult
Leadership Freak
OCTOBER 5, 2013
'Decisiveness is a strength and weakness. I often hear complaints about bosses who can’t make decisions. Then there’s the leader who makes all the decisions. In both cases the results are the same. Decisions made in isolation make others feel they don’t matter. They complain, “What’s the use?” Surprisingly, leaders who can’t make decisions produce […].
Leadership Freak
OCTOBER 19, 2013
'Optimists are more successful than pessimists. Helpless pessimists can’t lead. They know things won’t change and loving saying, “It doesn’t matter.” Real leaders change things. The first change is you. 5 reason for pessimism: Feeling controlled by circumstances and others. Life happens to pessimists. Believing achievement is like falling off a log.
Leadership Freak
OCTOBER 12, 2013
'Leaders, who think they’re “special,” treat themselves better than others. They invert the Golden Rule and stand aloof. After all, the rules don’t apply to “Golden Leaders.” Power and authority distort perspective. Special leaders: Expect others to collaborate while they dictate. Arrive unprepared for meetings. Expect others to listen while they don’t.
Leadership Freak
OCTOBER 29, 2013
'The real problem is people who point out problems from a distance. They sit aloof explaining what’s wrong. Worse yet, they know what others should do, or not do, while they do nothing, except point out what’s wrong. The real problem is listening to uninvited problem solvers who don’t have skin in the game. Knowing what […].
Speaker: Carolyn Clark and Miriam Connaughton
Forget predictions, let’s focus on priorities for the year and explore how to supercharge your employee experience. Join Miriam Connaughton and Carolyn Clark as they discuss key HR trends for 2025—and how to turn them into actionable strategies for your organization. In this dynamic webinar, our esteemed speakers will share expert insights and practical tips to help your employee experience adapt and thrive.
Leadership Freak
OCTOBER 2, 2013
'I hate wasting time in conversations that bounce around and never arrive. Talk – for the sake of talk – is for Saturday morning coffee with friends. But, successful leaders itch for next steps and paths to better. Impatience is practically a virtue for leaders who get things done. Lousy conversations bounce like butterflies on sunny […].
Leadership Freak
OCTOBER 8, 2013
'I’ll never forget the day an honest soul said, “I think you like to intimidate people.” I wanted to yell, “No I don’t!” Stop pretending you’re a pussy cat. You intimidate, even if you don’t intend to. Successful leaders connect. You can’t connect with someone you intimidate. Pussy cats and tigers: You think you’re a […].
Leadership Freak
OCTOBER 16, 2013
'A reader asks, “Any advice on how to cultivate candor?” First steps toward candor are dangerous, even explosive. It could blow up in your face. People will say, “You can’t bring that up.” Cultivating candor: Remember lack of candor empowers manipulators, preserves the status quo, invites gossip, and undermines trust. Engage others. Tell teams you’re […].
Leadership Freak
OCTOBER 7, 2013
'Gollum, in The Hobbit, referred to himself as “My Precious.” Preciousness turns leaders into self-consumed beasts. The only one: Direct reports don’t understand the pressures squeezing you. The board doesn’t appreciate tensions between short-term profits and long-term success. Your boss doesn’t realize you’re plate was full last year! Employees reject the big picture.
Speaker: Kaitlin Ruby Carroll
Retaining top talent in 2025 means rethinking benefits. In a competitive job market, fertility benefits are more than just offerings - they are a commitment to your team’s well-being. Gain critical insights into the latest fertility benefits strategies that can help position your organization as an industry leader. Our expert will explore the unique advantages and challenges of each model, share success stories from top organizations, and offer practical strategies to make benefits decisions tha
Leadership Freak
OCTOBER 18, 2013
'A Facebook follower says, “I’d love to see a Leadership Freak blog post that addresses what healthy conflict looks like.” Organizations pivot on conflict. Conflict strengthens or weakens relationships and organizations. All healthy conflict has a “for.” For or against: Conflict often begins by fighting against something. Listen for expressions like: I don’t like.
Leadership Freak
OCTOBER 3, 2013
'Treating everyone the same when they aren’t the same isn’t fair it’s mediocrity. It’s not fair – it’s dumb – to treat a thirty year old the same as a three year old. Fair or Mediocre: A newly formed team decided to take turns running their meetings. It sounds fair but does it lead to […].
Leadership Freak
OCTOBER 25, 2013
'Public confrontation slams you in the face, sooner or later. The boss wants answers. “What happened and what are you doing about it?” Everyone tenses and waits. Colleagues feel sympathy and relief. Everyone knows they could be next. Two defining moments: Public success and fiery confrontation are the two defining moments of leadership. Success tests humility. […].
Leadership Freak
OCTOBER 22, 2013
'Mom always hated it when the boys fought. There were three of us, until the last two came along, much later. I was the oldest. Sometimes we hated each other. Tensions erupted when mom and dad were gone and I was left in charge. My younger brother hit me over the head with a broom, […].
Speaker: Jeremy York
2024 has tested every organization, and 2025 promises no less - the warning signs are everywhere. If you’re relying on superficial approaches to diversity, you might find yourself scrambling to catch up. Thought diversity - the fuel for new ideas, fresh perspectives, and disruptive innovation - is more than a buzzword. It's a survival strategy. And if you’re not building it into your workplace culture right now , you’re heading for trouble.
Leadership Freak
OCTOBER 15, 2013
'People who want things just-so drive others crazy. Things seldom measure up. Media Man: There’s a media guy on our team who wants things done a certain way. He’s fanatical. On mornings when I’m giving presentations, I set my laptop on a small table, attach the cables, test the connection, and walk away. But that’s […].
Leadership Freak
OCTOBER 11, 2013
'No one wants to waste time doing things that don’t matter. But, what’s meaningful to one is insignificant to another. Some find details meaningful, for example, while others find them insignificant and frustrating. People feel they matter when they do things that matter to them. You assign projects; they assign meaning. Help people engage in […].
Leadership Freak
OCTOBER 17, 2013
'A Facebook follower says, “I’d like to see a Leadership Freak post that addresses the dangers of being honest about burnout.” The three dangers of being honest about burnout are losing: Respect. Opportunity. Employment. How to tell if you should tell. Don’t tell if: You haven’t already done something to solve the issue. Your organization […].
Leadership Freak
OCTOBER 21, 2013
'Image source Doubt, contrary to popular opinion is useful. Leaders with doubts are wiser than those with none. Doubt asks, “What could go wrong?” Self-doubt says, “I could be wrong.” Only fools have no doubts. Don’t feel bad if you have doubts. Confidence without doubt destroys leaders and organizations. Confidence without doubt: Closes ears. Minimizes […].
Speaker: Radhika Samant and Todd Wuestenberg
Employee recognition has often been deemed a "feel-good" initiative, tied closely to rewards. While we understand its importance, we tend to associate recognition with intangible outcomes like engagement and sentiment, rather than direct impacts on retention and high performance. In today’s workplace, the true ROI of recognition lies in its ability to regenerate tangible, business-driven results.
Leadership Freak
OCTOBER 24, 2013
'Compassion is for the weak. Old school management expects results at all costs. No excuses. “I know it’s tough. That’s why they call it work. Just get it done. Now get out of my office!” Old school managers get opportunities, promotions, and pay raises. Why shouldn’t they? They deliver results. Results validate your worth, more […].
Leadership Freak
OCTOBER 1, 2013
'Mrs. Principe (Pronounced Prince-i-pea) had a way of looking perturbed that made nearly everyone smile. She had manicured fingernails, perfect hair, and seemed a bit out of touch – ditsy. Perhaps the difference between Filipino and American culture was a factor. Travis Tweedie and I sat in English class with our desks pressed up against […].
Eric Jacobsen Blog
OCTOBER 16, 2013
'In your leadership role, it''s vital that your team members know how to deliver excellent customer service. " Knock Your Socks Off " type service as book editor Ann Thomas and Jill Applegate would say. Part of delivering excellent customer service is saying "Thank You" to your customers and knowing when to say "Thank You". Thomas and Applegate recommend telling your customers "Thank You" during at least these nine situations : When they do business with you.every time.
Eric Jacobsen Blog
OCTOBER 12, 2013
'Some of my favorite quotes for leaders are: A good leader takes a little more than his share of the blame, a little less than his share of the credit -- Arnold H. Glasgow I praise loudly, I blame softly -- Catherine II of Russia Honest disagreement is often a good sign of progress -- Mohandas Gandhi A long dispute means that both parties are wrong -- Voltaire The least questioned assumptions are often the most questionable -- Paul Broca These and many more compelling quotes can be found in Susa
Speaker: Jeremy York
Join us for a thought-provoking exploration of the rapidly evolving HR landscape as we examine how technological innovation, regulatory changes, talent strategies, and evolving diversity approaches are reshaping the profession. This webinar will provide HR professionals with practical insights on leveraging AI and emerging technologies while maintaining compliance in an increasingly complex regulatory environment.
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