I’ve spent my career on teams. Some of those teams were U.S. Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) units preparing for combat operations where a mistake could cost lives. Others have been executive leadership teams building businesses, playing and coaching hockey, or developing leaders in the private sector. Despite the different missions, I have learned one…
Beyond Team Building: The iFLY Experience within Leadership Development
Most leadership development takes place in familiar surroundings. Participants sit in a conference room, listen to a presentation, discuss a few concepts, and return to work. The material may be valuable, but the environment rarely requires anyone to immediately demonstrate trust, courage, communication, adaptability, or self-awareness. The flight experience at iFLY Virginia Beach changes that.…
Like my previous Leadership Versus posts, thoughts and feelings are as much about you understanding yourself as it is about you understanding others. In fact, the more and better you know yourself, the better you can lead and positively influence others. Language Challenges Thoughts are linear, but also logical or illogical in my…
Leadership Versus Series: Leadership vs Management
This age-old discussion about leadership and management will never go away, nor should it. It is critical for leaders to know the difference between leadership and management and when to apply each. While management is necessary for all work settings, it differs from leading.
Leadership Versus Series: Voice vs Vote with Employees
In my organization, all employees’ voices will be heard. If you have something to say and can present it in a manner that does not attack your teammates, I am all ears. If you think it is necessary to attack your teammates, experience tells me that you are probably wrong, but I will still listen.…
When it comes to employee management, why are some people forgiven while others are fired for issues at work? Utilizing a performance versus behavior approach answers the question with great clarity. I have found this to be one of the most valuable tools at a leader’s disposal.
You have heard this before…”There’s no money for that.” You ask your boss for a raise, or a new piece of equipment such as a computer or other new technology, or to attend a training event or to hire another team member, or for a working air conditioning system, or a first aid kit, or…
When I think of defining leadership, I think of a time when I visited the Leaning Tower of Pisa when I was stationed in Italy. It was great fun as we rode our Harley Davidson motorcycles from Sicily Italy to Silkeborg Denmark. In Italy, I remember marveling at The Leaning Tower of Pisa with its…
Given the recent report that the US Navy is not battle-ready but is 100% trained in DE&I initiatives, I am compelled to share my DE&I experience during my 26-year career in US Navy Special Operations as a Deep Sea Diver, and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD Technician) contrasted against what I see and experience as a…
What is conscious leadership? What is a conscious leader? Why is conscious leadership important?
In discussing conscious leadership, and discussing everything regarding leadership, I like to refer back to the basics, and the basics, in this case, begin with a definition.
