V|E|C|T|O|R Leadership products

ONLINE TOOL KIT - our unique e-work products

Action Planner

VECTOR Toolkit - One off: $99 AUD

Create one Leadership Action Plan and up to two Problem Solvers - plan credits last for 3 months

VECTOR Toolkit - Twin pack: $160 AUD

Create up to two Leadership Action Plan and Problem Solvers - plan credits last for 12 months

VECTOR Toolkit - Six pack: $420 AUD

Create up to six Leadership Action Plans and Problem Solvers - plan credits last for 12 months

Problem Solver

Problem Solver - Six pack: $67 AUD

Create up to six Problem Solvers - plan credits last for 12 months

ACTION PACKS - in downloadable PDF format

Defining the path ahead: $0

Defining the path ahead read more

On the 29th of May 1953, Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay stood triumphant on the summit of Mount Everest holding aloft their ice axes. Their joy in that moment was the reward for a clear goal, lengthy planning, intense effort and extreme courage. When did you and your team last stand proud after delivering on a business-changing goal or ground-breaking customer project?

Anything worth doing requires upfront investment: clarifying your goals, understanding the conditions in which you'll operate, defining the key factors for success and then ... relentless and courageous execution for you and your team. That's what this Action Pack is about.

De-risking your plans: $17

De-risking your plans read more

Are optimists right more often than pessimists? No (so the joke goes), they just live happier lives. Probably true. But, as a leader, you need both frames of mind. Thinking positively about markets, opportunities and so on. And, showing this face to your people and the world. However, to be truly realistic (and effective) in making plans, you also need to think about what could go wrong. The odds the market will collapse. The likelihood the government will change license conditions? The possibility a client may go bust?

You need to invest in the exciting options ahead and yet test and temper these in terms of your available resources, the potential strain on individuals and groups and the possibility of unexpected events outside your control. As in so much of your work as a leader, the key is finding the right balance - and trying to maximise your leverage over the world around you. That’s what this Pack is about.

Creating a performance culture: $17

Creating a performance culture read more

Without profit, cash dries up, investment stops and businesses fail. For CEOs, profitability and its supporting measures, such as cash flow and ROI, are a constant focus. They're the vital signs: corporate blood count and heart rate. And, particularly important for small businesses with thinner reserves. So, if the doctor called today, what would your business's health report look like? What would be the advice? A quick diet, more exercise or a serious operation?

Whatever the diagnosis, there's always hard work ahead. Planning your strategy, defining accountabilities and incentives, delivering on promises and addressing issues quickly and effectively. Beyond these operational tasks, there's the psychological ones: getting people inside your organisation (and also in the market) to believe you're going to win. That's key. Creating confidence and determination to succeed. That's what this Action Pack is about.

Improving your people skills: $17

Improving your people skills read more

When I pass a mirror, I often check how I look. Vanity? Probably. Yet, it may tell me to straighten my tie or tidy my hair. But, what I need more than a snapshot of my appearance is a mirror showing me how I behave; and, its impact on others. Let me put this in context.

In a survey of leaders, respondents told me their most common problem was dealing with difficult employees. People, who didn't want to sign-on, cooperate and pull their weight. This is interesting, since the only thing a leader has to have is followers. So, if they're opting out, you're not really their leader. Hands up if you've ever had this problem! I have - and realised (after some painful self-examination) that I was the "difficult" one and needed significantly to broaden and soften my views. So, what can you do in similar circumstances? That's what this Action Pack is about.

Motiviating your team: $17

Motiviating your team read more

I use taxis a lot. On rare occasions, I step in and am immediately struck by the cleanliness and polish, the smooth running engine, and the useful gadgets the owner has added. He or she is normally very polite and clearly proud of their chariot. And, such cabs instead of aging tend to get better with time. The owner's pride and investment intensifies.

In my consulting work, I get a similar impression when visiting some clients. But, in this case, it's the people more than the premises that strike me most. They sparkle. And, you know their leader is proud of them and continues to invest in them: communicating, building skills, guiding careers and creating opportunities.

Delivering Outcomes: $17

Delivering Outcomes read more

For many of us, the image of the courageous leader has overtones of physical action. The platoon sergeant taking troops forward under fire. The explorer leading a team through the jungle. Or, a sports captain rousing their players as they run onto the field.

In businesses, leaders seldom see such physical action. But this doesn't lessen the need to be upfront: showing the way - and demonstrating courage. Equally, there are times to be within the group, ensuring everyone's OK; finding out what they're thinking and feeling; giving encouragement. But, at critical moments, someone has to lead - whether representing the organisation in negotiations, presenting a case to the board or disposing of under-performing assets. Even seemingly ordinary activities can require conviction and courage. That's what this Action Pack is about.

Raising the bar for everyone: $17

Raising the bar for everyone read more

At university, a friend decided to compete in the Modern Pentathlon. He was a good athlete and swimmer. But, knew nothing of pistol shooting, fencing or show jumping. I was no sportsman, but had grown up with horses and done some fencing. So, he asked for tips. And, asked another friend about shooting. From these slim pointers, he worked with the team coach and very quickly became quite accomplished.

As leaders, we each need to show such efficiency and flexibility in our learning: recognising our deficiencies, being open to coaching and learning to get on top of new technologies or challenges. And, as we progress, confronting our fears (as my friend did around horses) and learning from our mistakes (as he did when he fell off). Always getting back up and trying again. That's what this Action Pack is about.

Energising renewal: $17

Energising renewal read more

General Motors was once a paragon of American business. It has more recently been in serious decline. Its plight illustrates what a famous economist called "creative destruction." New industries, products and services rise to prominence; but, later lose their traction. Horse-drawn carriages gave way to automobiles - ushering in gas stations but destroying buggy-whip manufacturers. Gas guzzlers had their time on the road, but were overtaken by energy-efficient compacts. And now hybrids; and, soon electric vehicles.

Where does your industry and your company, division, or team fit in its relevant continuum of rising and declining fortunes? And, what are you doing about it? Are you fat and happy; or, lean and on the look out. Today, there's only the quick and the dead. That's what this Action Pack is about.

Building a personal brand: $17

Building a personal brand read more

Imagine an elephant perched in a tree, sitting on a small bird's egg, having been conned into it by the mother-to-be, who wanted to fly away for a short break. Well, that's the start of Dr Seuss' improbable but wondrous children's story "Horton Hatches the Egg." Anyhow, Mayzie (the bird) stayed away for months, and despite storms and being attacked by hunters, Horton sticks it out. Through all the hardships, he lives by his motto that "an elephant's faithful one hundred percent."

I have clients I've worked with for decades. For me, it's a source of great pleasure - and a sign of faith on both sides. I understand them and their organisation; how they think; what they value; when to listen and when to talk; and, in some cases, when to shout. This enables me to add greater value. That's what this Action Pack is about.

Learning from the GFC: $0

Learning from the GFC read more

Dramatic economic downturns inflict pain both widely and deeply. People lose their jobs, homes and self-worth. No wonder they look for scapegoats. Tearing into Bernard Madoff in America, Fred Goodwin in Europe or fringe investment bankers in Australia deflects our own pain. But, as a leader, how much time do you spend reviewing your own responsibility for what you've experienced recently - for your own organisational and systemic failures?

As I look back over my own career and investment history, my main conclusion is that the real stuff-ups have been my own fault. At the time I was angry with others: the employee, who failed to deliver; and, the fund manager, who made dumb decisions. But, with time, I recognised I'd made the key decisions: to employ, to invest, etc. My priority is to remember the importance of self-responsibility. That's what this Action Pack is about.

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Guarantee of Value-Add - or Your Money Back

I believe deeply in the value-add of effective leadership. It's the key differentiator between mediocre and outstanding business performance. My experience over 40 years has shown this time and again - both when working as a CEO myself and as a consultant to others, early on with McKinsey & Company and later in my own firm.

My personal client list over the last twenty five years has included:

ABN Amro, AMP, ANZ Funds Management, Australian Agricultural Company, Australian Reinsurance Pool Corporation, Barclays Capital (in Asia), Blackwells Publishing , Bridge Oil, Business Council of Australia, BZW (in Aust., UK, US) , Capitaland Residential (in Singapore), Citibank (Aust. and Japan), Darrel Lea, Columbia Pelican, E*Trade, Department of Public Works and Services, Ernst & Young, Freehills, George Weston Foods, Health Services Australia, Heller International, Henderson Engineering, Howard Smith, IAG, Investec, Independent Tyre, InTech Ltd., Johnson & Johnson, Knight Frank, Korn Ferry, Liberal Party of Australia, Lighting Corporation, Macquarie Bank, Macraes Mining, Martin Randall Travel (in UK), Meat and Livestock Corp., Medical Imaging Australia, Medina Apartments, Mirvac, Morgan Stanley, NSW Police Force, N M Rothschild (Aust., Asia, UK), Oroton, Prudential, Rail Access Corporation, Ridley, Securities Institute, South East Water, South Pacific Seeds, Supertex, SP Ausnet, Sydney Opera House, Tatts Group, Ten Network, Tenix, Territory Insurance, TNT (Aust. and Europe), TXU, Wattyl, WHK, Wotif.com and WSN Environmental Services.

Working with the CEOs and senior teams of these clients has been a privilege. And, I share what I've learnt with you in my Leadership Action Packs - via the specific leadership action suggestions as well as the illustrative mini-cases and the check-up questions. I also offer you a 7-day money-back guarantee. Contact langdon@vectorleadership.com if you're dissatisfied in any way with the Packs, and your money will be refunded.

Dr. Timothy Pascoe AM
PhD (Cambridge), MBA (Harvard), BE & BEc (Adelaide)
Creator, V|E|C|T|O|R Leadership^®