Leadership: the new frontier

published: 2012-02-06

Most of us love the latest thing. Foodies rush to the new restaurant. Techos buy the smarter gizmo. Culture vultures book the must-see show. Leadership groupies chase the latest guru – or tool. Always, the new frontier. But why – and what good does it do you? ... read more

Leadership: in a world of lies and uncertainty

published: 2012-01-30

The developed world is mired in debt. In 2008, it was on corporate balance sheets. Today it’s in the hands of governments. And that’s a critical shift. As Dan McCrum of the Financial Times points out*, businesses are “incentivised by laws and penalties to tell the truth” in their quarterly and other reporting. But, “politicians won’t”! For him, this makes the immediate future dangerous – and investors should prepare to “minimise losses in a variety of extreme events.” For me, this advice applies equally to leaders. So, here are seven actions for you to consider. ... read more

Leadership: starting the New Year with a bang ...

published: 2012-01-23

Given the wonderful response to our FREE Leadership Packs, we’re offering a further (richer) present – for you or a friend. This one celebrates Chinese New Year. A time for dragons, fireworks – and gifts!

Answer the question below to start your 2012 Leadership Game Plan. And, this week only, you can complete (and print) it totally FREE! Just 15 minutes! What a cracker!

Identify concerns that are holding your followers back

If you have any problems please contact langdon@vectorleadership.com

Here’s to fun and good fortune – dancing with dragons in 2012, ... read more

Leadership: when time is money

published: 2012-01-16  - Comment count: 4

As Woody Allen famously said: 80% of success is showing up. Appearing on time, delivering as promised; doing what’s needed. For me, two standouts on the Allen test are my accountant and my gardener: both great at what they do and, above all, hassle free. They deliver. And, it’s been the same for 20 years in each case. Wouldn’t it be fabulous if the leaders of Germany, France and other euro countries could be as effective and efficient in dealing with their current problems. If only they would grasp the nettle: write off a swag of Greek debt, strengthen the European central bank and stability fund, stimulate their individual economies – and let everyone move on. Time is of the essence and soon it may be too late. For them (and the EU), time is truly money. For us as leaders, here are four guidelines to keep in mind. ... read more

Leadership: a New Year's gift

published: 2012-01-09

Our apology for the repeat mailing, but the Action Pack download links in the original email were incorrect. It's now 2012 - and as per my pre-Xmas email, here's that second present.

It's another of my 23-page Leadership Action Packs. This time Building a Personal Brand. Whether you're in a job, looking for one or seeking promotion, this will help you lift your market value.

Download Building a Personal Brand

If you missed the earlier email and Xmas download, here's a repeat of that link.

Download Energising Renewal

Leadership: a Christmas gift

published: 2011-12-19  - Comment count: 2

It's Christmas - and, I'd like to give you a present. In fact, two!

These are tough times: businesses are suffering and people's jobs are at risk, particularly in the US and Europe but even in Asia. So ...

• Present #1 is my 23-page Leadership Action Pack: Energising Renewal. It's today's top challenge. Whether in a job or looking, it will lift your value-add.

Download Energising Renewal Action Pack

• Present #2 is another Pack: Building a Personal Brand. Again, whether working or seeking, it will set your priorities as you move into 2012.
  
  I'll send this early in January.

With very best wishes for the holiday. ... read more

Leadership: what's your favourite acronym?

published: 2011-12-12  - Comment count: 6

NATO is the acronym for the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation – and it’s typical of the abbreviations that governments love. But what of the acronyms we all used at school to remember lists of facts for our exams? Some provided by teachers, others self-created. And, what of today? Do you use any acronyms to prompt your leadership thinking and actions? If so, it could be a valuable show-and-tell! So, please share below your favourite leadership acronym: something you use as a checklist or guide. To get the ball rolling, I’ll share mine. ... read more

Leadership: the true artists

published: 2011-12-05  - Comment count: 4

“Who the hell cares about art?” That was my first sentence when opening an exhibition last weekend in Sydney. I then summarised three things I believe the best artists do that ensures their audiences care. On reflection, these same three actions answer another question that’s close to my heart: who the hell cares about leadership? So, let me share them and see what you think. In particular, whether the people you lead would say you’re succeeding or not. ... read more

Leadership: at Amazon, Apple and Facebook

published: 2011-11-28  - Comment count: 2

Amazon’s amazing. Apple’s the apple of everyone’s eye. Facebook’s the face everyone wants to know. In a recent blog, Seth Godin copied their org. charts as seen by Manu. Perhaps these charts also sum up their leadership styles. If so, what can you and I learn from each – and their differences. Here are some characteristics and then my takeaway. ... read more

Leadership: it's all local

published: 2011-11-21  - Comment count: 4

“Think global, act local” is a well accepted mindset amongst town planners and big-time strategists. It even has its own Wikipedia entry. But, too many people think they can follow this advice in choosing their leadership actions. They read books by business professors and lauded CEOs. And, assume this “global” knowledge somehow applies to their situation. That may be true if you sit at the apex of a global enterprise. For most of us, though, the better advice is this: think local, act local! Here are six questions and answers to explain why. ... read more

Leadership: now it's your turn

published: 2011-11-14

This week, I’m presenting a very different Potshot. Why? Because in recent months, I’ve streamlined the V|E|C|T|O|R action-planning process. It’s now the ultimate DIY tool for leaders. Quick, intuitive and situation-specific: exactly how leadership should be. So read on.

We’ve also simplified the site. Our Home Page is now super clear; and, navigation much easier.

So, what’s the Potshot? Well, this week, you write your own! How? By taking a FREE test of the new tool and developing a Personal Potshot: your leadership action plan for the period ahead.

Click here and you’re away: FREE TRIAL

It only takes 20 minutes and you’ll learn ten times more from doing a plan than you’ll ever learn from reading one of my Potshots. Thus, it’s not only free but also great value!

So, why not live by the Nike self-leadership slogan and “Just do it!”

Later, if you want to return and post a comment below this semi-Potshot of mine, then please feel free to do so. We’d welcome your feedback. ... read more

Leadership: are you more like New York or Hicksville?

published: 2011-11-07  - Comment count: 2

Why do tourists visit New York? For Seth Godin, the bottom line is simple: it’s different. Not in the narrow sense of each card in a pack being different. But in giving you the full pack. Whatever your interests, NY offers them. Having lived there many years ago and revisited often, I get what he means. Unlike most places, it ticks all the boxes. So, if I asked your team, would each member say you tick theirs? Below are ten points from Seth’s list – each adjusted to leadership. Check how you rate. ... read more

Leadership: a mash up of metaphors

published: 2011-10-31

The Harvard Business Review loves them: authors, who use three or four anecdotes to derive a general principle. But, as Phil Rosenzweig famously showed in 2007*, this is shoddy logic. And, the HBR article (Fire, Snowball, Mask, Movie – November 2011) is the genre Phil dislikes. Read it if you wish but only if you then do your own thinking. Leadership is about problem-solving – not repeating someone else’s tricks or even your own. Each day is new: with different people (or the same ones feeling differently) and different challenges – as the economy churns, competitors attack, suppliers mess up and so on. So, let’s check what the HBR article has to say – and then think a little deeper. ... read more

Leadership: putting social media to work internally

published: 2011-10-24

Cemex, the global Mexican cement company, has over 500 communities worldwide using its collaborative platform called “Shift”. They solve local problems by engaging global talent. The platform mixes wikis, blogs, discussion boards and Web-conferencing. In one project, 400 employees across its ready-mix businesses slimmed the product range – creating an ongoing global catalogue. Cemex is huge. But what are the lessons you and I can take and use? ... read more

Leadership: yes, but what about self-leadership?

published: 2011-10-17  - Comment count: 8

The renown blogger, Seth Godin, hits home runs oftener than most. Here’s a recent one* that was short but sharp. “The job of the CEO isn't to check things off the agenda. Her job is to set the agenda, to figure out what's next. Now that more and more of us are supposed to be CEOs of our own lives and careers, it might be time to rethink who's setting your agenda.” Putting this another way … as leaders, we need to lead ourselves before we try to lead others. If you can’t do that, you can hardly be a credible or trustworthy model. So here are six aspects of your self-leadership to check – to see if you merit the licence to lead others. ... read more

Leadership: a challenging lesson from Steve Jobs

published: 2011-10-10  - Comment count: 8

Steve Jobs will be revered for centuries. Warren Buffett, once gone, will perhaps be remembered for a while – mostly by his devoted fan club of investors. Bill Gates’ memory will endure a bit more because of his and Microsoft’s dominance of the PC environment in the late 20th century. However, the Mac, iPod, iPhone, iTunes/App stores and Pixar are likely to become permanent segments of the histories of not just technology but also of entertainment, consumer goods and much besides. I wrote recently asking what you want on your tombstone. This is a chance to revisit that but in a different way. Something provocative – but worth thinking about. ... read more

Leadership: and the absurd Euro debacle

published: 2011-10-03

As a humorist once put it: even a group of anarchists appoints a leader. Your local sporting club, the place where you work and your national government each has a president, CEO or similar. He or she listens to input from committee members, major stakeholders or cabinet colleagues and then takes the tough decisions – and drives things forward. Everywhere, that is, except in the Euro zone. It’s run by a committee – and each member has a different personality and agenda. For a bit of fun, here are some of the Euro committee members – and, at the end, there’s a quiz. So, be sure to read right through and take the test. ... read more

Leadership: what a load of rubbish!

published: 2011-09-26  - Comment count: 7

According to a recent Harvard Business Review article, “In an era when discontinuity is the only constant, the ability to lead wisely has nearly vanished.” What nonsense. This sort of populist generalisation about leaders makes me mad. I’ve been around for decades and there’s little new in what’s happening today. And, if I’d lived for centuries, the same would be true. Cycles are part of evolution. So are good and bad decisions. And, the main problem today is not in business but politics and government. The failure to legislate and regulate well – and promptly. If you want to follow my rant further, please continue below. ... read more

Leadership: do you have Ali Baba's secret code?

published: 2011-09-19  - Comment count: 2

“Open Sesame!” was the command Ali Baba used to pass the magic entrance to the cave where the 40 thieves stored their treasure. Many of us have similar phrases to activate our leadership. Some say “Define the vision.” Others “Motivate your people.” Like Ali Baba’s words, these may get you in – and let you experience early happiness. But, like Ali’s greedy brother, Cassim, you also need the right command to exit. Lacking this, he was caught and killed by the thieves. Below are six leadership access statements I’ve heard executives use – and for each, a command to complete the task and get you out again. Let us know what you think. ... read more

Leadership: what do you want on your tombstone?

published: 2011-09-12  - Comment count: 6

It takes a stonemason to chisel words on a tombstone. But, it’s up to each of us to ensure our life merits a report. I spent many hours at university in a lecture theatre that carried a plaque commemorating a famous professor of engineering. The Latin tag was ex fructibus eorum cognoscetis eos – by their fruits ye shall know them. It’s what we do that counts both in life and as leaders. Here are seven leadership upgrades to consider – and act on. ... read more