by D. Kevin Berchelmann | Oct 28, 2010 | Brazen Leader, Executive Improvement, Kevin Berchelmann, Miscellaneous Business Topics, Organizational Effectiveness
Leaders leading leaders… “Leadership Squared.”
I recently was at a board meeting, and the chair took a few minutes to recognize one of the directors (we’ll call her Linda). Instead of typical platitudes and nameless accolades, this chairman instead described this person in the highest possible manner. Taking some time to address the difficulties of leadership, the challenges we face today, and the issues confronting us as we lead our organizations, he finished with the ultimate compliment:
“Linda excels at the most difficult — she’s a leader of leaders.
Leading is hard, we all know that. Some of us can make it look easier than others, but we know we are just fooling the masses… it’s hard, takes work, thought, and purposeful action. Leading an organziation can be nearly thankless and fraught with issue — some trivial, some extreme. The most important thing we do isn’t managing earnings, driving new products/services to market, or even finding and developing “A” players (and I’ve weighed in on my feelings there).
The most important thing we do — defined by significance, impact, and long-term results, is leading leaders.
We set the stage, we act as the example, and we provide resources and break down obstacles. Then we get out of their way and let them lead. There is no higher purpose in leading an organization than ensuring your leaders can lead.
Help them, nurture them, even get out of their way at times… but lead your leaders. That’s how we get where we’re going.
by Triangle Performance Staff | Oct 28, 2010 | Kevin Berchelmann, Organizational Effectiveness
We frequently hear that “morale is bad,” or words to that effect, usually during some significant organizational change initiative.
Is it really bad? If so, does it matter? In fact, do we really care??
Most importantly, morale shouldn’t be the focus. Morale, in and of itself, is a non-starter. Instead, focus on observable behaviors demonstrated in the workplace.
Is there really a substantial behavior/performance issue, or just normal, elevated apprehension that accompanies all extensive change efforts?
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by Triangle Performance Staff | Oct 28, 2010 | Kevin Berchelmann, Organizational Effectiveness
Recently, a member of a client’s Board of Directors asked about the need for Change in Control agreements and severance given today’s scrutiny of those plans.
Folks, to use an old adage, don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater. We frequently need both of these to create a successful environment.
Stay focused on the benefits that the organization receives, and it becomes a bit easier. Two comments, based solely on my experiences:
1. Change of Control agreements exist to ensure that the management team can, in good faith, negotiate and execute the best potential deal (causing a change of control), realizing they will receive specific remuneration for doing so.
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by Triangle Performance Staff | Aug 12, 2010 | Kevin Berchelmann, Organizational Effectiveness
Airline flight attendants are a bastion of idiotic anachronisms and misguided priorities. They start off by saying their “primary job is our safety…”
What???
The “safety” line, that many of them wear like a freakin’ shield to ward off demanding customers — oh, I’m sorry, “passengers” — is way past stupid. 95%++ of their job is about customer comfort; what occupation would allow you to do only 5% of your job well and remain employed?? (more…)
by Triangle Performance Staff | Feb 18, 2010 | Kevin Berchelmann, Organizational Effectiveness
A friend of mine, obviously bored out of his proverbial gourd, sent me a selected piece of text from some reading on “Service Oriented Architecture.”
Here’s what he sent:
Technical staff know service oriented architecture as an architectural style centered on decomposition of the solution along service boundaries aligned with the business and in accordance with sound service oriented principles.
Then my friend appropriately proclaimed, “I’m afraid I’m dumber for reading it…”
Really, guys. Really?
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by Triangle Performance Staff | Sep 23, 2009 | Kevin Berchelmann, Organizational Effectiveness
From a recent email press release I received:
WASHINGTON, DC, September 21, 2009 — The cost-cutting actions that employers have been making to deal with the economic crisis have contributed to a sharp decline in the morale and commitment of their workers, especially top performers, according to… Watson Wyatt and …WorldatWork.
Really. This is similar to those “duh” surveys funded by taxpayers like, “Scientists now claim that eating fat makes you gain weight.”
That this recession has left employees (and managers, executives, and board members) less confident about their status with their firm is no shocker. That’s not exactly “whouldathunkit” material. (more…)
