Connected Leaders, Stand Strong!

Leading with connection isn't the norm in many industries, but Michael Stallard and Katharine Stallard encourage connection-minded leaders to not give up.

The Perils of Charisma Without Character in Leadership

Charisma is a bonus, not an essential trait for effective leadership. Here's what is truly essential for long-term success.

Share First, Listen Second: A Guide for Incoming Leaders

How can incoming leaders get off to a strong start? Share first and then listen. Here's why this approach works.

People First… Love Them Up!

“People first… Love ‘em up” is one of the foundational expected behaviors that Alan Mulally designed and employed at Boeing and Ford. Here's what it means for leaders.

Leaders’ Biggest Mistake in Q1: the Communication Illusion Trap

Many leaders fall into the communication illusion trap at the beginning of the year. Michael Stallard explains how to avoid it.

Lessons from Holiday Movies: Why We Need More Leaders like George Bailey than Ebenezer Scrooge and Henry Potter

Classic holiday movies can actually teach us a lot about leadership, write Michael Stallard and Katharine Stallard.

Leadership’s Sacred Trust

When you accept the position of leadership, you will touch lives. That is leadership’s sacred trust, writes Wally Bock.

Why We Long for Leaders Who Actually Care

In order to be fully engaged and stay with an organization, employees need to know that their leaders are for them and care about them as individuals.

Book Review: Simple Truths of Leadership: 52 Ways to Be a Servant Leader and Build Trust by Ken Blanchard & Randy Conley

Ken Blanchard and Randy Conley's latest book is a helpful read for leaders who care about people and care about results, writes Michael Stallard.

6 Ways Leaders Build Trust During Change

It’s critical that leaders foster a culture of trust before, during, and after a change effort if they want to have any chance of success, writes Randy Conley.

Hope Is What People Need from Leaders Today

As the pandemic rages on, many people are feeling discouraged. One of the most important things leaders can do is offer hope. Here's how.

What Kind of Leader Are You: Superhero or Human Being?

Superhero leaders ultimately cause problems for themselves and their teams, writes Wally Bock. Here's the type of leader we need instead.

Hard Things Effective Leaders Must Do

Some of the hardest aspects of leadership involve people. Wally Bock shares important advice for improving your soft skills.

The 1 Thing Leaders Agree is Critically Important for Success, Yet Few Have a Plan to Achieve It

Nearly all leaders agree that building employee trust is critical, but few address it. Randy Conley shares four ways to build trust.

3 Things Effective Leaders Do

If you want to be an effective leader, then you need to do these three things, writes Wally Bock.

5 Ways You Undermine Trust in Your Leadership

When leaders are trusted by their followers, anything is possible. Randy Conley shares five behaviors that leaders should avoid to preserve trust.

5 Things You Can Do to Be a Better Boss

Research shows that thirty to sixty percent of bosses fail. Wally Bock shares five things you can do to beat the odds.

What Assumptions Are You Making?

The assumptions we make about others are often the source of conflict in work relationships. Mary Jo Asmus shares three common assumptions that leaders need to question.

3 Common Leadership Myths About Burnout – And What to Think Instead

There are a lot of myths about burnout that get in the way of truly addressing the problem, writes Suzi McAlpine. Here's what leaders need to do instead.

Leadership: Over the Hills and Far Away

As leaders manage remote teams, it may feel like employees are "over the hills and far away." Wally Bock shares three reminders for leading in a remote environment.

The Role Connection Plays in a Democracy

Connection is what allows our society to function as "we, the people," writes Michael Lee Stallard. Here's how we can strengthen that connection in 2021.

Learning Compassion

Compassion shows that you care and creates a work environment where people want to be. Mary Jo Asmus shares tips on how leaders can cultivate this characteristic.

Why and How to Become a Helpful Boss

Helpfulness reinforces connection and makes employees less likely to leave. Wally Bock explains how to become a helpful boss.

Lifting Others with Your Words

Emotions are catching, reminds Mary Jo Asmus. Be intentional about choosing positive words when appropriate to lift others up.

When You Want to Know What Others Think

The connection culture element of "voice" requires open and honest communication. Mary Jo Asmus explains how leaders can create a safe space for honest feedback.

How a Servant-Leader Mindset Can Give New Leaders Instant Rapport

Servant leaders have the humility to recognize they don't have all the answers, reminds Paul LaRue. By giving employees a voice, they can connect with those they lead.

Leadership: There is no Misbehavior

There is no misbehavior; there is only behavior. Wally Bock shares important questions leaders should ask to determine why an employee is failing to meet expectations.

4 Ways Love Provides a Competitive Advantage

Love provides a lasting, although rarely discussed, competitive advantage. Here's why leaders such as Kip Tindell and Herb Kelleher focus on love.

Start Your Week by Driving Culture

Consistency is the key to driving culture change in the workplace. Paul LaRue shares a checklist to help leaders start each week focused on their company's culture.

Five Daily Opportunities to Deepen Work Relationships

You are a leader who cares about your stakeholders, but do they know that? Mary Jo Asmus shares five opportunities for deepening work relationships.

4 C Vitamins for Better Leadership

The work of leadership is mostly small things you do over and over with unremitting diligence...similar to taking vitamins. Wally Bock shares 4 "C vitamins" for leaders.

6 Ways to Enhance Your Communication Effectiveness

One of the indicators of an effective leader is how well he or she communicates. Paul LaRue shares six tips for enhancing your communication skills.

Prepare the Way for Your Gemba Walk

A "Gemba walk" is a leadership practice that involves going to the place where work is done, but it's about more than business, explains Wally Bock. Here's why.

7 Ways to Tell if You’re a Boss or a Leader

Are you a boss or a leader? Randy Conley shares 7 ways to tell the difference and why it matters to your workplace and career.

3 Reasons Why Leaders Should Pause and Take Notice

You may not think being a good “noticer” is important, but Randy Conley writes that it is one of the top priorities for leaders. Here's why.

Confronting Poor Performance is a “Moment of Trust” – 5 Steps for Success

Randy Conley shares a five step process to help leaders address an employee’s poor performance with candor and care.

9 Steps to Start Real Culture Change

Real culture changes begin with the leadership team, writes Paul LaRue. Here are 9 steps to start the process of changing your organization's culture.

You Can’t See a Vision When You’re Tangled in the Weeds

Part of a leader's job is to set the vision for the team. But when you’re tangled up in the weeds of daily work, you can’t fly high enough to see a vision, reminds Mary Jo Asmus.

3 Reasons Why Great Bosses Aren’t Bossy

The best bosses aren’t bossy, writes Wally Bock. Instead, great bosses understand three important truths about leadership and motivating people.

Do People Really Want to Work for a Competent Jerk?

Leaders who are compenent jerks may get the job done but at a high cost, writes Mary Jo Asmus. Instead, leaders should balance both competence and relationship skills.

Leadership by Example

There is no leadership without leadership by example, reminds Wally Bock. Your only choice is whether you will set a good example or a bad one.

6 Ways Leaders Bully People Without Realizing It

If you’re a leader in the workplace, make sure you’re not being a bully without even realizing it. Randy Conley shares common workplace bullying behaviors.

How to Improve Your Organization's Culture Through Employee Connections

Strong employee connections contribute to a high-performing organizational culture. Michael Stallard explains three ways leaders can improve connections in an article originally published by Forbes.

How You Interact is a Choice

It’s all too easy to interact with others without thinking about the impact you have on them. Mary Jo Asmus shares small but significant steps leaders can take for more positive interactions.

Boss, Are You the Cause of Stress?

As a boss, you experience stress, but does your behavior create stress for the people you lead? Wally Bock shares stress inducing habits that people in leadership should avoid.

Why Women Leaders Are Outperforming Men

Studies show that women leaders are outperforming men in many key areas. So what’s the secret to this success? Michael Stallard explains one possible answer in an article originally published by Forbes.

5 Ways Leaders Try to Lead Right in the Wrong Way

Most leaders have good intentions and want to lead right, but sometimes we go about it in the wrong ways. Randy Conley shares five leadership behaviors to avoid.

The Most Important Thing That Can Make You a Better Leader

Listening is the single most important thing you can do to become a better leader, writes Mary Jo Asmus.

3 Words That Will Revolutionize Your Leadership

Trust is essential in the workplace, but someone has to make the first move. Randy Conley explains why leaders need to be the first to extend trust to their followers.

Why You Need to Tell Them Why

Mary Jo Asmus shares why it's a good idea for leaders to explain the reasons behind their decisions.

Leadership: A Bunch of Cs for Bosses

Wally Bock shares a list of things you should do as a boss that all begin with the letter C - from communication to connections.

Why Development is a Core Focus as a Leader

What should a leader's main focus be? Paul LaRue shares why development is a critical aspect of leadership and provides practical examples to get started.

What People Want From You

When a leader receives poor feedback from direct reports, it can be discouraging. Mary Jo Asmus explains that this is the time to give employees what they really want: connection.

Spin Belongs in the Gym, Not the Workplace: 4 Ways to Increase Transparency

Spin is deadly to a leader because it leads to low trust, poor morale, and cynicism. Randy Conley shares four ways to decrease spin and increase transparency.

I’m Optimistic About the Future of Leadership

While it's possible to argue that today's leadership training and workplace culture models have failed, Michael Stallard writes that there's cause for optimism. Here's why.

Independence is Important at Work, Too

Wally Bock reminds managers why its important to give employees as much autonomy at work as possible and how to do it effectively.

3 Proven Strategies for Leading Virtual Teams

For many jobs, work is no longer a place we go to but something we do. Randy Conley shares tips for managing virtual teams based on their unique dynamics.

What an Open Dialogue Requires of You

There are times when leaders need to have an open dialogue with an individual, group or team. Mary Jo Asmus shares advice for navigating these conversations.

4 Ways to Make Every Day Better

Great bosses get results a day at a time, writes Wally Bock. Here are four things to do each day to make every day better.

New Role? A 30-60-90 Day Plan for Leaders

The most effective way for a leader to create results and build culture is to adopt a rolling focus, 30-60-90 day game plan, writes Paul LaRue.

Leading Your Team Through a Crisis

Crisis happens in almost every organization at some time. Mary Jo Asmus shares how leaders can help employees to move through it and to focus on the work at hand.

Leadership: Dinosaurs and Behavior Problems

Behavior problems are like dinosaurs, writes Wally Bock. They’re easy to handle when they’re small, but if leaders let them go the problems will become difficult to correct.

When You Listen More

The more leaders listen, the more they will be heard. And the more a leader is heard, the better his or her chances of influencing others, writes Mary Jo Asmus.

Include Others in Complex Decisions

Some decisions are better when you include others. Mary Jo Asmus shares 5 tactics leaders can use when making complex decisions.

Leadership: 5 Things You Can do to Get Better Results

Leadership behavior - what you do and say - is the key to great team results. Wally Bock shares five behaviors that will help you do a better job.

Leadership: Pictures Big and Small

Great leaders understand both the big picture of the organization and the little pictures associated with each team member's goals, writes Wally Bock.

Do You Allow the Squeaky Wheel Too Much Squeak?

Don’t let the squeaky wheels in your organization drive you crazy. Paul LaRue explains how to meet their needs and set boundaries to create a more supportive culture for all.

10 Questions Great Bosses Regularly Ask Their People

Great leaders ask great questions, writes Randy Conley. If you’re not sure what questions to ask or where to start, give these 10 questions a try.

The Benefits of Having a Team of Equals

Nobody has a corner on the best ideas about vision, mission and strategy - not even leaders. Mary Jo Asmus reminds leaders of the importance of treating their team members as equals.

Leadership: Create a Great Working Environment for Your Team

As a leader, your challenge is to create a great working environment for your team. Wally Bock summarizes what a great working environment looks like and tips for creating one.

How to Become an Extraordinary Leader

What sets extraordinary leaders apart from the rest? Mary Jo Asmus shares four tips for taking your leadership skills to the next level.

Three Tips for Leading Your Team Into a New Year

As the current year draws to a close, now is the time to establish your plan to begin the new year on a strong note. Here are three tips for leading your team into a new year of goals.

The Paradox of Leadership Control

If you’re responsible for the performance of a group, you really don’t have any control. Wally Bock explains how you can still influence your team's productivity and effectiveness.

Work Relationships Need More Than a Nod Across the Table

Establishing key stakeholder relationships takes more than just a nod across the table at a meeting. Mary Jo Asmus shares tips for building healthy professional relationships.

4 Ways to Get Your Followers to Know You as a REAL Person

If you’re a leader, chances are your employees don’t see you as a real person. Randy Conley shares how leaders can build trust through the acronym REAL.

Don’t Take Yes for an Answer

Paul LaRue writes that good leaders promote the Connection Culture element of "voice" by encouraging their team members to share their viewpoints, even if it means offering a dissenting opinion.

3 Secrets of Better Performance Conversations

Performance conversations are part of a relationship rather than a one-time occurance, explains Wally Bock. Learn tips to have better performance conversations with your team.

Seeing Your New Team Through Eyes of Understanding

When you inherit a new team through a promotion or new position, it can be tempting to "clean house" and start over. But Mary Jo Asmus writes that it's important to view your team with understanding.

Leadership: Caring for the People is Part of the Job

As Wally Bock explains, a leader's personality doesn't alter the fact that caring for people is a key managerial responsibility. Learn four ways to care for the people you lead.

Building Rapport Shows Employees You Care: How to Get Started

Establishing rapport is critical for senior leaders in order to gain the trust of those they lead. Randy Conley shares practical ways leaders can be intentional about building rapport.

The Keystone Competency of Effective Leadership: How to Develop it in 3 Steps

Self-awareness is a key factor that separates effective leaders from ineffective leaders. Dr. Todd Hall explains how you can develop self-awareness in your own life and career.

The Ray Standard

As this leadership story from Wally Bock illustrates, great bosses never forget that they’re part of the team, as well as the team leader, and they show it by the way the act.

When Leaders Live the Vision

Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital, part of Northwestern Medicine, benefits from the leadership approach of President and CEO Kathleen Yosko, who emphasizes the importance of living the organization's vision.

Ten Daily Practices That Show Respect to Your Team

When a leader shows they respect their team, people are motivated, dedicated, and loyal. Mary Jo Asmus shares ten ways leaders can demonstrate respect to their employees.

Connection to the Cause: How Harriett Beecher Stowe United Abolitionists in the Fight Against Slavery

As Harriett Beecher Stowe's story illustrates, the Connection Culture element of "inspiring identity" is a powerful tool for leading change.

Rules, Relationship, and Respect – Balance The 3 R’s of Leadership

Finding the balance between enforcing rules and building relationships is critical to winning the respect of team members, writes Paul LaRue.

World’s Greatest Leaders Tap Power of Connection

A growing number of leaders identify connection as a primary factor contributing to their organization's sustained success.

Windshield Leadership vs. Rear-View Mirror Management

As Paul LaRue explains, the results of a "windshield leadership" style are dramatically different from a rear-view management approach. Here's why.

Would They Work for You Again?

Would your team want to work for you again? Mary Jo Asmus shares things leaders can do to foster a great working relationship with their team members.

5 Common Leadership Behaviors That Crush the Spirits of Employees

While most leaders don't intentionally try to crush the spirits of employees, they may harm others when too focused on their own agendas.

Four Intangible Leadership Qualities That You Can Acquire

While many great leaders seem to have an intangible charisma, charisma can be broken down to a few qualities that you can develop.

4 Ways to Develop and Retain Employees When You Can’t Give Promotions

When leaders don’t have the ability to hand out promotions, how do they grow, engage, and retain their key talent? Randy Conley explains four approaches.

Fairness Isn’t Just Nice, It’s Important

You know that you’re supposed to be fair to your employees. What you may not know is how important it is. Wally Bock shares advice for leaders.

Six Unexpected Things You Are Responsible For

There many things leaders need to take responsibility for that aren’t explicit or written down anywhere. Mary Jo Asmus defines six of those in this article.

6 Weights Holding You Down From Becoming the Leader You Want To Be

Just like ships are periodically cleaned, leaders need to regularly remove the barnacles that are holding them back from performing at their best.

Finish 2016 Strong: Refocus, Reconnect, Reenergize

Fall has arrived and with it begins the fourth quarter. Now is the time to establish your plan to finish the year strong. Here are a few practices to help.

Be Honest and Caring When Giving Feedback

Many leaders dread giving feedback, thus avoiding it or sugar coating the message. Mary Jo Asmus shares tips for giving honest and caring feedback.

6 Ways Leaders Can Dial up the Value in the Workplace

Adding elements to a workplace that enhance people’s value effectively empower people to achieve their potential. Here are six ways leaders can do this.

Step Out of Your Comfort Zone to Develop Trusting Work Relationships

Creating great, trusting work relationships may require you to step out of your comfort zone. Here's how leaders can achieve the right balance.

3 Ways to Lead Like Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln had a talent for converting detractors into loyal supporters. These three elements of his leadership and communication style explain how.