Free leadership articles by Timothy Pascoe

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Leadership: are all your sub-personalities pulling together?

published: 2011-04-11 - Comment count: 4

Each of us has a range of characteristics and skills struggling for control of our actions. This morning, my optimistic, creative self may be taking charge. But, following a couple of bad meetings, colleagues may notice that my angry, controlling aspect have taken over. It’s easy – even amusing – to describe but unpleasant for me (and those around me) if the shifts run beyond my recognition and control. For some leaders, such swings are mild and short-lived; for others, more extreme and durable. Using a theatrical metaphor, how many actors are there vying for parts in your leadership production? Do you understand their styles and motivations – and, more importantly, how to direct them? Here’s a way to consider. ... read more

Leadership: great skills, rotten attitude

published: 2011-04-04 - Comment count: 8

Many of us start our careers using a professional skill – as an engineer, accountant, analyst, lawyer or designer. We land our first job based on the quality of our academic results. Early assignments let us show off these skills and hone them – possibly leading to promotion. It’s natural, therefore, to conclude that professional qualifications are our key attribute. Natural, but wrong. We may fail to notice that people don’t like being around us – or may avoid working with or for us. Have you ever faced that realisation? I have: it’s a shock. But, the question is how well you shift – realising technical proficiency is only half a tool kit. Below are two lists that allow you to check this out … and what to do about it. ... read more

Leadership: avoiding nuclear disasters

published: 2011-03-28 - Comment count: 5

The toll from Japan’s Fukushima disaster has lessons for us all. People are criticising the plant design, regulation, oversight and post-disaster response. For some, nuclear itself is the culprit. However, Japan has good scientists, competent engineers, meticulous planners and courageous workers. It has honest, industrious citizens – and our hearts go out to them at this appalling time. But, what (as leaders) do we need to learn? Here are seven suggestions. ... read more

Leadership: your biggest opportunity

published: 2011-03-21 - Comment count: 6

Why do we plan a journey, IT upgrade or product launch? So we reach our destination and goals effectively and efficiently. Achieving desired outcomes; and, doing so with minimum energy and resources. Why then do so many leaders not plan their leadership actions? My observation from four decades of working with CEOs and other executives is that many lead unthinkingly. Often spending time on the wrong things. Underperforming and undermining their credibility. Worst of all, failing to inspire the people they’re meant to lead. Would your people say I’ve just described you – even in part? If so, here’s a three-step solution. ... read more

Leadership: beware the god complex

published: 2011-03-14 - Comment count: 17

The Roman Emperor Caligula was self-deluding and probably insane. His behaviour was cruel, capricious and depraved. He killed people for amusement; he dressed as a god and expected to be worshipped as one; he bankrupted the state; and, indulged in vile personal habits. Few modern leaders enjoy his freedom of action. However, each of us needs to check for tell-tale signs, which could lead to our under-performance or downfall. Here are four things to avoid. Caligula set a high bar but would colleagues say you exhibit even slight traces of these faults? ... read more

Leadership: do you have sufficient fibre?

published: 2011-03-07 - Comment count: 5

A friend of mine compares Mozart adversely with Beethoven. He claims that much of Mozart’s music is like fast food: too much sugar, too little fibre. Right or wrong, this calls to mind a recent complaint I heard from a young executive. Her boss is wonderfully supportive and encouraging but avoids tougher discussions. In terms of your leadership, are you a Mozart or a Beethoven? A dispenser of sugar or fibre? Or what mixture? Check your balance below. ... read more

Leadership: how healthy is your business?

published: 2011-02-28 - Comment count: 6

If you’re feeling off-colour, a doctor checks your “vital signs” of temperature, blood (both pulse and pressure) plus breathing. A leader working in the healthcare industry asked me what might be comparable vital signs for a business. It’s probably foolhardy to draw parallels between people and businesses. People are singular but substantially similar bio-organisms. Companies, though, are hugely more diverse: in nature, scale and organisation. But, foolhardy I am! So below, I’ve listed three tests plus a fourth for good measure – my four “Cs”. As a leader, what does each tell you about your business today? More importantly, which is tracking least well? And, what leadership medicine are you administering? ... read more

Leadership: have you tested yours lately?

published: 2011-02-21 - Comment count: 6

Phil Rozenzweig, a professor at IMD in Switzerland, swims against the current. When asked “What’s the next new thing in strategy”, he replied “That’s the wrong question. There’s always new stuff … and most of it’s not very good.” His advice … “Seek what’s true, not new!” This quote leads an article in a recent McKinsey Quarterly that offers ten tests for your company’s strategy. My list below is identical except I’ve inserted “leadership” instead of “strategy” in each test. Check them out and see how you rate. ... read more

Leadership: you don't need a sex change

published: 2011-02-14 - Comment count: 14

Michael Wallent (an 11-year Microsoft veteran) and Megan Wallent (a co-worker) couldn’t be more different. One is a man; the other a woman. Each, we are told by Harvard Business Review*, demonstrates the classic “male” or “female” leadership traits. Michael has the engineer’s narrow-gauge logic and bluntness. Megan shows sensitivity and inclusion. The HBR explains wide-eyed (at its own permissiveness, I sense) that Michael and Megan are actually the same person – pre and post a sex change. Do you dare to read on? ... read more

Leadership: Starting with what you've got already

published: 2011-02-07 - Comment count: 4

Recently, a friend sheepishly confessed to using my Potshots in a novel way. Given her CEO’s dumping of the development budget, she’s been forwarding one Potshot each month to her direct reports. She asked them to plan a new leadership action prompted by its theme or action points; and, then circulate this to each of their divisional leadership colleagues. Rather than foregoing development, she’s built on something she already has and made it work for her. So, what low or zero cost strategies are you pursuing? Are you leveraging what’s available to maximum advantage? Like her, could you use the Potshots or any other free resource more effectively. ... read more

LEADERSHIP: WHAT PRICE ARE YOU PAYING FOR SILENCE?

published: 2011-01-31 - Comment count: 10

Who said the following? “We are forecasting a $17 billion loss and no one has any problems!” Alan Mulally, after the first meeting with his senior team on arriving to turn around Ford in 2006. For the Mafia, omerta or “the code of silence” hides crimes. At Ford, as in many other companies, silence is the crime – destroying value and eventually viability. Do facts and faults get talked through in your business; or is bad news stifled? What would your people say? Here are some actions Mulally took and others I’ve picked up over the years. ... read more

LEADERSHIP: WHO’S YOUR "OTHER HALF"?

published: 2011-01-25 - Comment count: 6

Mick Jagger and Keith Richards still work together. It’s a legendary, 50-year partnership. Even if at one time Mick “took care of the details” while Keith “took the drugs”. A recent Economist article* highlights the power of this and other successful pairings. Buffett and Munger at Berkshire Hathaway. Bill and Melinda Gates in their foundation. Rupert Murdoch and a number of lieutenants over the decades at News. But, what’s the wider point? Knowing your weaknesses and ensuring you have others providing the ying to your yang. As a leader, how well covered are you? Here are eight things to check. ... read more

Leadership: the art of inspiring your followers

published: 2011-01-17 - Comment count: 12

CEOs and leaders talk a lot about stakeholders. We all strive to engage them. In general, customers and staff are the categories that get most attention. But, most us are much more structured in our marketing to and engagement with customers i.e. the people, who buy our products or services. Relatively, we are often less thoughtful in how we engage our staff i.e. the people, who must “buy” our leadership, if they’re to become our committed followers. How would people rate you on each of the six engagement factors below? Particularly the last two? ... read more

LEADERSHIP: Michael Moore's a fool

published: 2011-01-10 - Comment count: 6

Some people regard Michael Moore as a fool. His films attack politics, healthcare and capitalism with half-truths, personal denigration and tear-jerk anecdotes. But, for me, these criticisms (and his childlike attention-seeking) mask an important, old-fashioned sense of being a fool. Moore is a modern court jester: the prankster and truth-speaker protected by the king. With the right also to tease the king. Today’s king is freedom of speech – and Moore tests its limits. As a leader, do you encourage such freedom? Do you have a truth-speaker, who points out where the dryrot is in the system? Below is an agenda of six questions for your in-house Michael Moore to pursue. Do you have the courage to protect him – or her? ... read more

Leadership: my moral dilemma

published: 2011-01-03 - Comment count: 13

Let’s start the New Year with a cautionary tale. From time to time, people like me, who write about leadership or other topics, need to be stood up and tested. It’s not enjoyable but it’s certainly salutary. It happened to me last year. Writing a weekly Potshot is one thing but real life quite another. I’m not yet sure how well I came out of this challenge. Let me explain. ... read more

Leadership: lessons from "War and Peace"

published: 2010-12-20 - Comment count: 4

Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture” is a noisy and emotional reminder of Napoleon Bonaparte’s destructive but futile invasion of Russia and the French occupation of Moscow. This campaign is also central to Leo Tolstoy’s novel, “War and Peace”. My wife and I recently revisited the BBC’s 20-part TV version of 1972, starring a young Anthony Hopkins. It remains engaging and moving – and Tolstoy’s narrative makes important points about leadership. Check below and see which of the main characters has most to teach us. ... read more

Leadership: LinkedIn and opened out

published: 2010-12-13 - Comment count: 8

Old technologies and ways of doing things always colonise the new. Value only emerges when the unique potential of the new is properly exploited. Early TV was radio with pictures: boring shots of people reading the news. This changed once media companies recognised the mobility of TV cameras delivered powerful on-the-spot reporting – whether of earthquake damage or red-carpet events. For many leaders, social media and networking tools are still little more than an electronic Rolodex. Is that you? Here are five questions I’m answering for myself from engaging with the networking tool LinkedIn. What are your answers? ... read more

Leadership: are you strong, or just a blowhard?

published: 2010-12-06 - Comment count: 11

Seth Godin has done it again. His blog about Demonstrating Strength* highlights 10 actions fearless leaders can take. Frightened ones present a façade of bravado and noise – but often this hides a deep fear someone might discover their weakness or mistakes. In contrast, courageous leaders are happy to be open and honest – about themselves and what’s happening around them. I particularly like Seth’s list as it includes actions that are part of my Leadership Action Planning approach. It’s hard not to like someone, who seems to agree with you – or am I being fearful there? Anyhow, how would your people rate you on Seth’s items in bold below – which I’ve extended with some further commentary? ... read more

Leadership: what's your techical value-add?

published: 2010-11-29 - Comment count: 6

At 7am each Saturday morning, I drive into the small town near our weekender. The sole purpose: to buy croissants for breakfast. They are not just the best in the district. This patisserie regularly wins State and national competitions. Over the years, I’ve come to know Tracy, the owner. He has a successful business and a great team. What’s the key to his success? Well, here are the six things that I believe set Tracy apart and make him highly effective. How would your team say you rate on each of these factors? ... read more

Leadership: overcoming those primitive instincts

published: 2010-11-22 - Comment count: 4

As a leader, how would you feel about your next promotion being decided not by the CEO but by the people you’d be appointed to lead. A recent book and related New Scientist article tell us that ancient tribes chose their leaders on the basis of known capability. And, “other species, from fish to birds to chimpanzees” still do something similar, but simpler. However, from my experience, today’s corporate world is really much the same. Not in terms of employees appointing their leaders, but whether people commit (or not), then follow and give of their best. In short, it may have once been overt “democracy”; but today it’s covert. So, here are four things you can do (tapping into subconscious tribalism) so people will commit – and make you successful. ... read more

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