For more, see: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304870304577488572183024742.html
Tuesday, August 07, 2012
Positive Leadership: Honesty is the Best Policy
For more, see: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304870304577488572183024742.html
Monday, August 06, 2012
Positive Leadership: Motivating Your Team to do Better
With poor economic news in the headlines seemingly each and every day, it may feel like the only option. However, the trouble with using fear to motivate employees is: it just doesn’t work. Burning platforms and “doom-and-gloom” scenarios can catch people’s attention, but on-going use will spark false urgency and frantic activity, not the sort of urgent, enthusiastic behaviour necessary to drive strategic change. There are other ways to motivate your people to go above and beyond.
Listen to this conversation to learn how to stop pushing and start encouraging.
Friday, August 03, 2012
Positive Leadership: Be Fearless
Having the focus to see beyond your fears can
instigate change. When you take risks, embrace the unknown, and ‘go for it’,
that is often when you get the breakthrough you’ve been looking for.
AOL founder Steve Case and his wife Jean established the Case Foundation to leverage new technologies that will make the world a better place. They recently launched Be Fearless a campaign that encourages people to take a step forward in their efforts to create lasting social change in their communities. Their mantra is “Take Risks. Be Bold. Fail Forward.”
Jean Case recently outlined 5 key values that help develop a fearless mindset. We suggest you read it. We need more change-makers on this planet.
AOL founder Steve Case and his wife Jean established the Case Foundation to leverage new technologies that will make the world a better place. They recently launched Be Fearless a campaign that encourages people to take a step forward in their efforts to create lasting social change in their communities. Their mantra is “Take Risks. Be Bold. Fail Forward.”
Jean Case recently outlined 5 key values that help develop a fearless mindset. We suggest you read it. We need more change-makers on this planet.
- Make big bets – and make history
History suggests that the most significant cultural transformations occur when one or more people simply decide to try and make big change. - Experiment early and often
Experience shows us that we need to keep looking around the corner to find the next good idea—because today's iPhone is tomorrow's Walkman. - Make failure matter
Every great innovator has experienced moments of failure, but the truly great among them wear those failures as badges of honour. - Reach beyond your bubble
Collaboration provides new ideas and innovations, as well as “air cover” when sharing risk. - Let
urgency conquer fear
Don’t overthink and overanalyse every decision, take a calculated risk and go for it.
Thursday, August 02, 2012
Positive Leadership: How to Win in Business
Some interesting observations from the British Olympic Association’s Director of Sport, Sir Clive Woodward:
'Successful businesses, like successful sport teams, need to
remain open to new ideas and to learn how to perform under pressure, according
to Sir Clive Woodward, the 2003 Rugby World Cup-winning coach.
Outlining his theory, the British Olympic Association’s
Director of Sport said that “great teams are made up of great individuals” and
that successful team players shared four characteristics: talent, a willingness
to learn, an ability to perform under pressure and the mindset of wanting to be
a champion.
Sir Clive argued that “talent is not enough” because there
are “bucketloads” of talented competitors. He said top players, like top
businessmen and women, needed to be willing to be taught — to be “sponges”
instead of “rocks”.
“I’d fly anywhere in the world if I thought it had the
smallest chance of [helping] me becoming a better coach or a better manager,”
he said.
“Once you lose that ability, that kind of focus, the chances
are you’ve become a rock and you’re not going to be competing with that person
in the next room.”
He said one of his first actions on becoming head coach of
the England rugby team in 1997 was to give each player a laptop and teach them
IT skills. “The media had a field day [but] I was trying to find out
who the sponges were, who the rocks were. Who the guys in the squad saying
‘this guy isn’t going to be here for long, we don’t need to do this’ were.”
Sir Clive said that the next key component of a successful
team member was an ability to perform under pressure, something that he did not
believe was inherited.
“Are you born with this gene to play and perform under
pressure? I would say absolutely not ... I think this is coachable,” he said.
“What you can do is role-play situations you’re going to get into. If you come
across something you’ve never seen before, the chances are you would freeze.”
Finally, according to Sir Clive, to become a champion
players must have the right attitude, including an “obsession with detail about
what you do to beat the person in the next room”.'
Positive Leadership: Lessons from the Olympians
“The Best” will:
- outwork others
- be more disciplined than others
- have greater drive than others
- be much more competitive than others
- do things that others think aren't important
- do the unrequired extra work
- always want to know what they can do to get better
- want to be coached, want to be driven, and want to learn more.
These are just some of the characteristics of “The
Best" -- all things your players need to recognise in this elite
group. And for all our corporate
friends, we think this list is worth thinking about as well. We all can grow and
improve if we strive to do these things to the level that “The Best” are
willing to do them!
Enjoy watching these special athletes as they once again strive
to win!
Wednesday, August 01, 2012
Positive Leadership: Greatness is Wherever Someone is Trying to Find it
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Positive Leadership: Developing Mental Toughness
When you do a triathlon you step out of your comfort zone
and push the boundaries of what you previously thought possible and it leads to
experiences that most people won’t ever have. It takes great mental toughness,
a vital sporting attribute that some say you either have or you don’t. But as
with physical fitness, mental fitness can be trained and controlled.
The greats of the sport would tell you that you must train
for adversity and suffering. One of triathlon’s most infamous coaches, Brett
Sutton (the former coach of multiple Ironman champion Chrissie Wellington)
trains his athletes for mental toughness using extreme measures. One example is
a session where the athlete will run a marathon on a treadmill in a room no
bigger than a large wardrobe, where no MP3 players or TV’s are allowed!
Similarly, he never allows drinks bottles during pool sessions as you can’t
drink during the swim portion of a race. He tells his athletes to get out of
their comfort zone on a regular basis.
Here are some keys to developing mental toughness:
1. Self-belief
Develop a confidence mantra. Repeat it to yourself daily.
Whether you believe it or not initially is irrelevant. With repetition you can
trick your mind. ‘I can do this. I am strong, healthy and fit.’ When you are
under pressure, repeat: ‘Calm. Confident. Strong. In Control.’ When negativity
strikes as you get tired or something starts to hurt, repeat the mantra and
distract the mind. Remember this saying: ‘Whether you think you can or think
you cannot, you’re probably right.’
2. Motivation
Remind yourself why you want to do what you are doing.
Remind yourself of a time, really visualise it, when you felt strong, positive
and motivated in as similar a situation as you can. Bring this image into your
mind regularly. Picture your friends and family being proud of your
achievements and willing you to succeed. Try to bring the scene to life by
using colours, sounds and situations with a high emotional attachment.
3. Focus
The key skill is to prepare for things going wrong. Practise
how you might deal with problems. Concentrate on your own performance, as you
cannot control your competitors. When the negative mind chatter comes in,
silence it by focusing on your mantra.
4. Handling Pressure
Start by accepting that anxiety is inevitable in competition
and know you can cope with it. Learn how to let go of mistakes quickly if
things do not go the way you want. A key part of mental training is about
compensating, adjusting, and trusting. If plan A does not work, go to plan B or
C. Mentally rehearse these plans. Develop a systematic pre-performance routine that switches
on a desired state of mind that’s ‘ready to compete!’ Examples are listening to
a special playlist on your music player, or taking four calm deep breaths
before the start and focusing on feeling strong and competent.
Monday, July 30, 2012
Positive Leadership: Why Do Some People Become Heroes?
Dr Philip Zimbardo, Professor
Emeritus at Stanford University, introduces the Heroic Imagination Project at
TED University 2010.
Zimbardo, whose work has studied the depths of human
evildoing and the heights of heroism, is passionate about inspiring people to
take heroic action.
“The decision to act heroically is a choice that many of us
will be called upon to make at some point in time." Dr. Philip Zimbardo
Learn how to practice everyday heroism.
Friday, July 27, 2012
Positive Leadership: Learn from the Best
In his memoir, “At Ease”, President Dwight D. Eisenhower delivered the following
advice:
“Always try to associate yourself with and learn as much as you can
from those who know more than you do, who do better than you, who see more
clearly than you.”
'Ike' slowly mastered the art of leadership by becoming a
superb apprentice.
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Positive Leadership: The 'Secret' of Olympic Success
With the 2012 London Olympics just around the corner,
athletes the world over are entrenched in training mode. But as sports have
become increasingly professional, technique and fitness is no longer the
standout difference between winning gold or heading home empty handed. Instead, it all comes down to mental toughness – the ability
to make cool-headed decisions in heated moments and control things when they
threaten to go astray.
Just look at some of the world’s top athletes – even Rafael
Nadal credits his success to his strong mental resilience: “It is impossible to
play great every time, but when I play so-so I’m still there mentally – the
mental part is there 100%”
Whether you’re an aspiring figure skater or cyclist, the
mental resilience required to win gold in the greatest sports competition on
Earth is the same.
In a recent study, a team from Loughborough University spoke
with 12 Olympic champions across a range of events and found they all possessed
a unique mental toughness characterised by five unique attributes:
Positive personality: Each gold medal-winning athlete had an
openness to new experiences, was conscientious, competitive, optimistic and
proactive
Motivation: Top athletes are motivated by multiple internal
and external factors. While they have a passion for the sport, they’re driven
to prove their worth so choose to compete at top level.
Confidence: Their confidence is gained from a range of
sources, from experience and self-awareness to visualisation and coaches – this
means a set-back in one area won’t hold them back.
Focus: The ability to concentrate on the process rather than
the outcome and self-reflect without distraction.
Social support: They have a strong support network and
believe high quality support, whether from family, coaches or teammates, is
just a phone call away.
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Positive Leadership: The Importance of Education
In this recent video, President Obama urges Congress to
take action now to put teachers back to work in classrooms, because the
best predictor of individual and American success in this economy is a good
education.
This is a good lesson for all countries and is reflected in the relative success of Singapore, which understands the significance of public service -
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Positive Leadership: An Olympian's Guide to Leadership
Christie Rampone is one of America’s most successful and
celebrated soccer players, and she will be leading the U.S. Women's National
Team to the London Olympic Games. She has already won gold twice, once in 2004
and as the team captain in 2008. She has also played in four World Cup finals
and is a mother of two young kids. Here, she opens up about what it really
takes to be a leader.
'Whether in the world of soccer or business, leadership is
simple.
It's about communication, honesty, and building confidence.
That's it. You get that, and your team competes at its best. Period.
As the captain of the U.S. Women's National soccer team, it
is my job to help the team understand what the coaching staff expects. I took
over as captain in 2007 and had never thought about or prepared for a
leadership role. At first, I tried to please everyone—but I soon learned that
only leads to confusion and failure.
So, I looked to former players like Carla Overbeck and
Kristine Lilly for inspiration. They taught me the values of a good leader: to
be honest with the players, care about their well being, and treat them with
respect. They also showed me how to lead by example, put the team first, and
keep things simple.
After five years, I have found that being a great leader
boils down to a few no-nonsense principles:
1. Stop talking so much. A good leader is a good listener.
My role is about less talk and more keen observation. You can often learn more
about your team's dynamics by simply watching the team interact. As you watch,
ask yourself: Where are there issues?
Who is helping the team the most? Who is hurting the team's morale?
In one-on-one conversations, a good leader really digests
the information and, most importantly, won't blab it to other colleagues. This is
the foundation of trust.
2. Don't gossip. In one-on-one conversations, a good leader
really digests the information and, most important, won't blab it to other
colleagues.
This is the foundation of trust between colleagues. For me,
when a teammate expresses concern about an issue, I don't use her name and or
exact quotes when I speak to our coaching staff.
This way, our coaches are addressing the issue, not a
particular person. It also means I don't lose the confidence of my team. I'm a
credible source, not a gossip or someone who blames others for problems.
Bottom line: If what you say has substance and integrity,
your colleagues and whomever you answer to (and, face it, we all answer to
someone) trust you.
3. Stop saying yes. I can’t afford to be a yes person. When
the athletes come to me with ideas or problems, I have to weigh each and
prioritise. Same goes for business: You can't just take on everything from
everyone.
Sometimes saying no is harder in the short term (your team
might not understand or agree), but if you know it's best for your team in the
long run, it's worth it.
4. Roll up your sleeves. If you are constantly putting the
group before yourself and doing the work each and every day, it makes it easier
for the people around you to respect, appreciate, and buy into the
process.
Then, when you make a mistake or a controversial decision,
your team will understand you are thinking of the big picture—that you are
trying to accomplish something as part of a team.
5. Walk the walk. Great leaders know body language is
important. As a captain, my actions and demeanor need to enforce motivation and
enthusiasm but also show plenty of poise. No matter what, I always want to show
positive and controlled behavior, on and off the field, never any stress or
worry.'
Monday, July 23, 2012
Positive Leadership: Leadership Lessons from Musical Ensembles
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Positive Leadership: #Olympic Preparation
Friday, July 20, 2012
Positive Leadership: Elite Athletes and Successful Goal Setting
No one becomes an elite sportsperson on talent alone. It
takes passion, commitment and attitude to make it to the top.
Whether you’re an aspiring athlete or entrepreneur, there’s
a lot you can learn from the world’s elite athletes. By emulating the
techniques they use to push ahead, win gold and shatter records, it’s possible
for anyone to be on their way to accomplishing the remarkable.
Athletes at the top of their game understand all about successful
goal-setting. This is what they do:
Adopt concrete goals
that aim toward excellence: Elite athletes are very specific about what
they want to achieve, right down to the split-second. By developing your own
set of specific, long-term goals you can achieve success in any aspect of your
life – whether you want to a promotion or to complete a specific project.
Design a training
regime, engage coaches and expand your expertise: Athletes are continuously
training and expanding their programme to include new challenges – but they
never do it alone. Find a mentor you admire, listen to their advice and
incorporate it into achieving your goals.
Keep a log of your
efforts and outcomes: The best athletes don’t simply create goals; they
also rigorously measure how they are tracking to achieve them. Make note of all
the actions you take to achieve your personal goals and measure the pay-off
received from each one.
Take the long view: Each
competition an elite athlete participates in helps them reach their long-term
goals. By being tactical about what projects, jobs and roles you take on you
can help ensure each one is a step towards achieving your long-term goals.
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Positive Leadership: Courageous Leaders Apologise!
We are frequently taught that leaders, especially aspiring
leaders, should hide weaknesses and mistakes. This view is flawed. It is not
only good to admit you are wrong when you are; but also it can also be a
powerful tool for leaders—actually increasing legitimacy and, when practiced
regularly, can help to build a culture that actually increases solidarity,
innovation, openness to change and many other positive features of organisational
life.
Positive Leadership: Our Offer to You
What do the recent Barclays LIBOR scandal and the ‘humiliating
shambles’ of the G4S Olympics security operation have in common?
One thing is certain –
leadership which has failed to deliver optimum performance and results when put
under pressure.
Leadership cannot exist in a vacuum in any organisation – it
impacts business strategy in a multitude of ways. Oftentimes, leaders fail to
appreciate this connection or at the very least, are unprepared for the effects
of pressure on strategy and behaviour.
Executing business strategy successfully in situations of
high pressure and delivering optimum results requires proven leadership which
appreciates the underpinning importance of a values based leadership culture
throughout the organisation.
At Positive Leadership,
we have developed a proprietary values based approach to optimising business
results. For us, it is the interaction and close synergy between leadership
values and business strategy that delivers such an outcome on a consistent
basis. Our Values of Positive Leadership™ are based on extensive research and
many years of business experience.
We work with our clients advising them on how to excel under
pressure. Our involvement is client/transaction specific and typically involves
a combination of transaction based advice, leadership coaching and management mentoring.
We are confident that our approach will help you deliver
improved bottom line performance and equip you and your fellow leaders with the
understanding, skills and awareness to ensure that optimum performance and
results are delivered, even under pressure, unlike the leaders of Barclays and
G4S.
If you would like to speak with us to learn more about our ideas
and to benefit from a no-cost initial consultation, please contact graham.watson@positiveleadership.co.uk
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Positive Leadership: Three Pitfalls Start-Up Founders Must Avoid
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Positive Leadership: The Success Formula Behind Lady Vol Athletics
In 29 years as the leader of the Lady Volunteers, recently
retired Joan Cronan's programmes combined to win 10 NCAA Championships, 30 SEC
Regular Season Crowns and 25 SEC Tournament Titles. Additionally, the Tennessee
Rowing program has won two Conference USA Championships.
The winning model that Cronan has followed comes from a
favorite Bible verse. Luke 12:48 says “From everyone who has been given much,
much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much
more will be asked,” (NIV).
“That has been the platform that we have tried to build our
programme on,” Cronan said after citing the verse. “We’ve given athletes great
opportunity and with that comes responsibility and accountability. Remember who
you are and who you represent, and I think that has built a real pride in what
the Lady Vol programme stands for."
An excellent philosophy for success!
Monday, July 16, 2012
Positive Leadership: The OODA Loop
Business is a dogfight. Your job as a leader: outmanoeuvre
the competition, respond decisively to fast-changing conditions, and defeat
your rivals. That's why the OODA loop, the brainchild of US Col. John "40
Second" Boyd, an unconventional fighter pilot, is still one of the most
important ideas in business.
For more, see:
Friday, July 13, 2012
Positive Leadership: American Influence in the 21st Century
Author and New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman spoke to
a Stanford audience about the themes of his recent book, "That Used To Be Us,"
which explores the reasons for U.S. decline in the 21st century and offers
solutions to preserve American power in the world.
Average is officially over!
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Positive Leadership: Why We Lie
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