February 2012

Is your leadership focus out of focus?

I enjoy photography. I'm far from being really good at it, but I like the process of focusing, finding the right subject, trying different angles, refining pictures, and enjoying the results. Yet, there is also the frustration when I thought I had everything "just right" and the picture ends up being out of focus, or focused on the wrong thing. As a leader, have you ever found yourself focusing on the wrong thing? Is your focus where it should be? Continue reading »

Dr. Ada's favorite things

This page is dedicated to some of my favorite things. Mostly books, but some other stuff too.

Here's what you should know: (1) I don't do any advertising, product reviews, featured websites, etc. (2) Some items link to my amazon.com store. I get an affiliate fee when you connect from my links. I use that money to buy giveaways for my clients.

This are a few of my favorite things. . .

Innovation requires courage

Just Full Of Ideas

I was recently siting in a meeting I was facilitating. There were many bright and experienced brains present. Everybody was aware of the need for more innovation. Yet nobody was coming up with any particularly innovative ideas.

As often happens, there came a point where there was a long silence. . . Continue reading »

The courage to be vulnerable

Most leaders dislike the idea of being vulnerable because it makes them think people will perceive them as weak and inept. In fact, the online Oxford Dictionary defines vulnerable as: "exposed to the possibility of being attacked or harmed, either physically or emotionally."

But wait, isn’t that also the definition of courage? Continue reading »

Does your organization need transformational change?

Barre de fer dans la forge

One common mistake I have observed in organizations that feel the need for change is a confusion about what kind of change is needed. In the last couple of years I have seen change efforts fail because leaders were trying to implement incremental change, or improvements in behaviors and operations, when what was needed was transformational change. What is transformational change and how it differs from other kinds of change? That's what this post is about. Continue reading »

How your heart makes or breaks your leadership

Photography is in my heart

Many of what is written about leadership has to do with the competencies, tasks, and skills you need as a leader. With leading with your head. And being an effective leaders includes all of it.

Yet, what really makes you an effective leader is how you listen to your heart and lead with your heart. . . Continue reading »

7 Simple suggestions for relationship building

Chain of fate

Relationships count! Many times your effectiveness as a leader hinges on the strength of your relationships. Your influence is directly affected by the quality of your relationships. Yet, many leaders let the “urgent” steal from them golden opportunities for connection. Continue reading »

Simplicity

In a world growing more complex by the minute, is simplicity the new most elusive and valuable commodity? Continue reading »

5 Strategies for successful transitions

White Water Rafting (on The Nile)

In the last post I shared what is involved in transitions and what are the three phases that people go through. Today I'm going to share with you five practical strategies to make the journey of transition easier. Continue reading »

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