Sep 05

Alan Alda’s new book [ yes, he’s from the  TV show M*A*S*H], “If I Understood You, Would I have this Book in my Face – My adventures in the Art & Science of Relating and Communicating” ...especially the part just italicized, is fundamental today for all existing  & aspiring I.T leaders. When he was acting [ now writing & teaching], he learned a lot about “Improv”,and shares that  professional journey, its deep impact and broad applicability, for us all to benefit from. I’m on my 2nd careful read! Its relevance is essential, and often missing, in our currently fast changing set of I.T roles.Brace yourself for tons of insight, from voices not heard much in our profession. I will incorporate this in my Leadership Learning Forum Process. It adds clarity to needed shifts in every I.T. organization I am aware of!!

Aug 29

We were never famous for being particularly empathetic to line business executives consistently, even to customers or others out in the marketplace. But today having a capacity for this leadership characteristic helps relationship building, and allows trust to grow in ways that eases the disruptive potential of many new technologies engulfing some business efforts. Perhaps few of us have read or studied enough, about how/when/why empathy is useful in deploying the output of System Groups. StrengthsFinders, one of the very best personal profiling methodologies available today, can help substantially in my opinion. AND……. developing an ability to practice broad empathy, especially when it’s not a natural flow, is an absolute must for would be leaders of technology use for organizational purposes

This turns out to be a frequent dialogue for counsel, for many of us. Both developing it and recognizing it! It’s usually a mutual focus

Aug 13

I’ve been think/talking about this for years. Remembering my father’s experience, crafting my own…How? When?  even Why? Interestingly, perhaps because of that talk/thought, others, both friends…and clients and network members, have been asking me for counsel in their own exploration of the topic. It’s surely not as black and white as it was in our father’s day.  Many more options, permutations. Organizations seem to be focused on retaining some of the wisdom/insight which often [not always] accompanies long experience. And the next two generations, now in or seeking organizational power, are more open to dialogue ,once they discover its usefulness…..even generating opportunities for “round table discussions”,or dialogue with leaders who are partially or soon to be more fully retired.. [They’re safer?!?!?]. Skip the rationale, and it’s depth……….when it’s done authentically, huge value moves in both directions

Phenomenal to part of.

And it spreads

Jul 26

A very crucial organizational theme, in mt mind. Comes from another book about leadership and change…..”The Art of Change Leadership: Driving Transformation in a Fast Paced world” Cheryl Cran 4.8 of 5 multiple ranking comments in Amazon. I’d strongly suggest getting it for your own reading/reference/making it come alive. I am. Am also recommending it, quoting it, discussing the full meaning of the book title, in it’s macro implications, especially in micro/specific situations with clients, and graduates of my Leadership Learning Forum programs [perhaps 300 or more such groups now!!]

Jul 15

Answer in the “fullest sense”….. of your total input…. talk shows, magazines, newspapers, confidants, TV news, books, research papers etc., etc. This is more important than ever, with so many choices, “fake news”, endless opinions driven by deadlines, a requirement in most walks of life now, to “know more…understand well beyond your immediate chore list.
Some suggested guidelines: MULTIPLE – rely on more than several..push your search boundaries, as much as you can effectively…….. ROTATE – don’t get stuck in any channel, author, or viewpoint., w/o checking other views/sources……SETTLE on some respected /trusted “Readers” with different connections, who would easily discuss/explore together……ACCESS/EVALUATE periodically and carefully,for match up to your needs/ desires
Managing your input flow is one of every mature human’s most precious responsibilities!!

Jul 08

Twice very recently I’ve been part of a discussion about these three views. Likely there are others [ e.g., tell nothing], but this three cornered choice is difficult enough for many of us. Certainly so depending on position/profession. And on the context. The two were in I.T. groups, in large business organizations. I believe that to reap the benefits, and effectiveness of a superb “Internal Consultant”, one must be able to “stir” ….actually customize, that mix to the person(s) engaged, and arrange for a second[ or more] conversation to expand or deepen the response. It may be that the proper mix will always be subject to change. Some lessons from past attempts…..1] impossible not to combine,i.e., to have zero of one view….2]improper to short the “should” view in favor of the other two [ time and pace help here]……3] Like always, preparation and follow -up are often more effective than actual content. 4] It may well be that first interaction is only a preamble, hardly ever an “answer”…so “cooking time” is crucial for acceptance.5]”Can” hear is more central than it may seem..sometimes people are simply incapable of hearing a particular view they don’t want to hear & continuing wastes everyone’s limited resources!!

Jun 30

Gallup provides the “StrengthsFinders” profiling/assessment process. It’s one of the, if not THE, best such tool available, in my opinion. This leads them to other interesting perspectives, as in a recent article in their Business Journal, “The End of the Traditional Manager”,where they make the important point that the most powerful tool a manager has,is meaningful conversations. Conversations that become performance focused,using a person’s strengths, and the application of those strengths to the tasks @ hand. This is especially true ,now, they point out, that so many staff positions [ 74%] have the ability to locate elsewhere to work, and even more [84%] are matrixed into many work directions.
Though most of us believe we are adequate if not good conversationalists, using that simple leadership capacity, consistently as useful in organizations. Can you be a superb conversationalist and lead those conversations to appropriate ends!Think of bringing an easy, everyday conversation, along, to make a business point,when necessary…try it…….

Jun 17

This book “How Today’s Market Leaders can beat Disruptive Competitors @ their own Game” is a must study, and branch out from, book, for everyone, in my opinion. If you’re a leader, or in technology , or surely in the increasingly wide intersection of those two professions, it’s mandatory to absorb and keep expanding your grasp of it’s views/ideas.
By Loucks, Macaulay, Noronha and Wade ISBN-10: 1-945010-01-0
It covers the technology Trends Converging Today, refernced in Poster 444 below, in the blog on June 10th. And a lot more!!. I’ll post several “book reports” from clients who are focused on it, in the section of this website, under the tab “Magic”, on the first page, and then under the tab “Book Summaries”….. in a few days [when we recover from “Father’s day- today!!!]

Jun 10

Can you do both?…and switch back and forth w/o losing your game? Few have that capacity naturally. Most of us need to work @ it/learn more about How?/Why?/When? Especially today in Information Technology. It’s not enough to be skilled at/fully understanding of, the disruptive technologies [Post 444 Tech Trends] happening in all professions. Neither is it enough to just attend the responsibilities of that level. Increasingly, competence is required in both.
Well….. how do you get there? As starters…carefully constructed reading/communication work habits early in your life…..relationships built on connections where you will be coached/mentored, actually “pushed”some…..with an overall personal attitude of humility laced with confidence and action….
Or don’t reach very far into any form of leadership!!
More soon. It’s a huge focus.

Jun 02

This is a quote I often am sharing lately with emerging leaders. makes sense in whatever stage you’re in, I believe. It’s worthy of being up on our work place wall!!

Post 194 – do it

May 27

Recently while establishing several new customized cycles of the Leadership Learning Forum Process, in specific organizational settings, the 8 selection processes/discussion points [Post 280] modating increasing requirements to adjust. Hopefully that will continue amidst all the disruption/competitive pressure abound today.

May 20

I just updated, actually changing very little, the full description of “My Work” as I head into my 85th year…doing more by phone,email or virtual arrangements, with clients I know well/who know me well!
Less Travel. Often more effective,!!
The basis for the 7th phase of my life!!!
Very fulfilling…. to all.

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