Have you ever worked with a “glass half empty” person? They are something to behold especially if you are a bit of an optimist. We get the chance to interact with many leaders of both sales departments (VP of Sales) and entire companies (CEO). One thing that always catches my ear is the leader’s level of optimism. I find leaders who have a realistic level of optimism to be the most effective. I’m not talking about whistling through the graveyard, but rather a measured optimism that seeks positive solutions. The reason this is so important is that employees have a more difficult time rallying behind a pessimistic leader. I have… Read More
Continue ReadingDefining Leadership
Inc.com’s Boss School blog discusses a topic that seems like it might be a distinction without a difference – leadership vs. management. However, I think the author hits a perfect chord right at the start: Leadership isn’t the same thing as management. Leadership is about providing vision as to where the company is going. It’s about inspiring and motivating. It’s about instilling a certain amount of comfort that someone wiser than you is going to figure a way out of a mess. I often think of managing as being somewhat akin to being a zookeeper. You keep things in order and provide needed resources. That’s not the greatest metaphor, but… Read More
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