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Leadership: with IQ and EQ ... but also VQ

published: 2012-05-21

The Harvard Business School’s mission, when founded a century ago, was to educate leaders, who “make a decent profit – decently.” I only discovered this statement recently* and find it inspiring. It’s brief and clear but also reflective of the tension inherent in so much of business – and life. To do something but within value-driven bounds. When I was at HBS 40+ years ago, I don’t remember either this motto or much emphasis on its qualifier: decently. Below is some context on this original purpose and what it might mean for each of us in our jobs today. ... read more

Leadership: what's your killer app?

published: 2012-05-14  - Comment count: 1

Niall Ferguson is a powerful author – but also divisive. He offends some while pleasing others. But, regardless of our view, what is there to learn? For me, his six co-called “killer apps” (that have driven Western growth since 1500) have parallels in leadership. As I often say in these Potshots, there’s no single right way. It depends on who you’re leading and the challenges they face. However, let’s check what Ferguson might be telling us – using his six “app” headings. ... read more

Leadership: the lure of fake Gucci

published: 2012-05-07

Like you and me, the online spammer is a leader. He or she must entice people to follow: clicking on their eye-catching link to buy fake goods, support a backlink – or enable someone to infect your computer! Whether criminal or not, what can we learn? Below are some thoughts. ... read more

Leadership: the MBA in the 21st century

published: 2012-04-30  - Comment count: 2

Sally Blount is a revolutionary. Appointed dean of the Kellogg School of Management two years ago, she’s upending its offering. Will others follow? More pointedly, if she’s right, will we all be smart enough to follow? Her inter-disciplinary restructure is not based on theory but the real-world demands on managers – and leaders. If anything, I wonder whether she’s pushing far enough. Digitalisation is changing all industries and how they do things: market research, design, production scheduling, manufacturing and delivery modes. It’s all still in its infancy. And, this precocious child is no respecter of old ways or industries. As long-standing shareholders and employees in the media, music and banking industries have already learnt to their cost. So, what does this mean for you? ... read more

Leadership: what was the Romans' secret?

published: 2012-04-23  - Comment count: 2

The boundaries of the Roman empire were protected by the soldiers of its fabled legions. And they marched holding aloft their proud standards. Each emblazoned with SPQR: an abbreviation for Senatus Populusque Romanus – the Senate and People of Rome. Still today, you can see these letters on the remains of ancient buildings – and even on modern manhole covers in the centre of Rome! The Romans produced amazing leaders like Julius Caesars, Mark Anthony and others. But, what was the essence of their leadership – or any good leadership? Interestingly, SPQR provides a brilliant summary. How would your people rate you out of ten on each of the four following aspects – and their overarching assumption? ... read more

Leadership: the software manager's solution

published: 2012-04-16

Seth Godin has hit another home run. His blog of 12 March was directed to software managers. But he highlights its wider application. So, I’ve taken his four action points and changed a few words: clients to followers, programmer to team member, etc. His advice is relevant for all of us! ... read more

Leadership: the person not the position

published: 2012-04-09

The name, Margaret Whitlam, won’t mean much to most readers. She was the wife of Gough Whitlam, Australia’s Prime Minister from 1972-1975. But her life demonstrates what it takes to be an effective leader. It’s not about your title but about you. Not what you tell people to do but what they will do because you ask. The commentary following her recent death could lead the uninformed to imagine she was a leading political figure herself. But she had no official standing. Yet she created a platform that many appointed leaders never achieve. ... read more

Leadership: learning from the Chinese

published: 2012-04-02  - Comment count: 2

“The Next Convergence” by Michael Spence* highlights “the continuation of the Industrial Revolution in advanced countries” and “the sudden and dramatic growth in the developing world”. A key focus is what China’s leaders must do to continue their country’s successful growth. This has lessons for all of us. So, how are you shifting the way you lead to drive your career and financial success? Here are some great things to think about. ... read more

Leadership: are you a digital winner or loser?

published: 2012-03-26

The digital revolution has diverted the rivers of gold that once flowed into the pockets of newspaper publishers. In their bulky weekend editions, many of us found our first apartment, job or car. But today, the golden flood profits their online competitors. The business models for retailing and music have been similarly upended. So, what about your personal operating model: the way you lead? Have your adapted? Are you still relevant? Do you merit the golden (leadership) rewards? Here are some digital opportunities to consider. ... read more

Leadership: a presidential mistake

published: 2012-03-19  - Comment count: 4

Some say President Obama misjudged how he wished to lead America. He (and many voters) imagined he would lead as a “director of change”. But experience has allowed him to be at best a “facilitator of change”. Ryan Lizza in The New Yorker* uses this distinction (from George C. Edwards’ “The Strategic President”**) to describe Obama’s transition from high hopes and a pressing need for new strategy to the lesser reality of doable facilitation. In your current job, which is the way to go? Should and can you drive strategic transformation? Or should you settle for tactical improvement? Change the system or work within it? Let me share two experiences. ... read more

Leadership: game or puzzle?

published: 2012-03-12  - Comment count: 5

I remember my children, when very young, assembling a tower of blocks, knocking it down and starting again. Each time, faster and faster. A few years on, they spent hours assembling simple jigsaws. Later still, playing Monopoly involving both strategy and luck. Finally chess: almost pure strategy. As they grew, they transitioned from single-solution games to problem-solving puzzles – the latter varying each time they played. As a leader, are you still a child (repeating the same moves time after time) or an adult, who problem-solves each situation? Here are six questions that might help you do just that. ... read more

Leadership: a matter of body parts

published: 2012-03-05  - Comment count: 8

Over a coffee recently, a rough-tongued friend shouted at me “Timothy, you overcomplicate it. Leadership requires only three things: heart, balls and brains!” Notwithstanding his florid language and embarrassing me in public, I have to say he’s got a point. Here are some of his supporting views – edited to remove the more lurid anatomical and sexist phrasing. What do you think? ... read more

Leadership: playing all the notes

published: 2012-02-27  - Comment count: 7

Years ago, I remember a mentor saying that a good leader plays all the notes on the piano. Not just part of the range. Responding to circumstances and the needs of their team. I was reminded of this last year when attending an international piano competition. Some contestants played each piece the same way – regardless of whether it was classical or romantic. See if any of the eight examples below remind you of your own or someone else’s leadership style. ... read more

Leadership: it's always been virtual

published: 2012-02-20  - Comment count: 3

How often does a colleague say to you “yes, it’s virtually done”? And, what do they mean? According to the dictionary, it’s this: your car is almost ready “but not quite.” So, why don’t they say: it’ll be out front in an hour? Because there’s something unreal (perhaps surreal) about their promise – rather like much of today’s online virtual world. To converse at one time with six friends across the world or pay online for CDs from a New York shop you’ve never visited is alarmingly different from what we did even a few years ago. But, in one sense, our world has always been virtual: operating at a distance, across space and time, intermediated in ways we didn’t fully understand. Leadership is a classic case – as per the examples below. ... read more

Leadership: it's not a joke

published: 2012-02-13  - Comment count: 4

“I’m not afraid of dying … I just don’t want to be there when it happens.” It’s vintage, pessimistic Woody Allen. But what’s it got to do with leadership? Little directly. But, below I’ve taken 10 of his sayings and translated them into lessons for leadership. Do you have others? ... read more

Leadership: the new frontier

published: 2012-02-06  - Comment count: 2

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