Articles about Leadership

 Things are very tight right now. Our outlook is uncertain and people are afraid for their jobs. Under these circumstances I’d expect people to get more done, but somehow, we aren’t more productive than before. Any hints?   It’s funny, … Continue reading →

 I am a projects and operations manager at a multinational oil giant based in Cape Town, South Africa. I have seven people reporting to me. I am twenty-four years old and the youngest member of my team—the ages range from … Continue reading →

 As the author of this column, I receive a number of questions each month on the topic of leadership. Manu asks how young men and women in India can be taught to think about leadership. A pharmacy director in the … Continue reading →

 I am leading a cross-functional team in a company initiative but the members on the team do not report to me. How can I motivate them to stay committed to the team and stay focused on the goals established when … Continue reading →

 I am establishing a publishing house in Africa, and have put together a team with great potential. What strategies and skills must I employ to make the most of this potential? What is the best way to lead a crop … Continue reading →

 Do you have anything to share regarding the subject of asking the right questions? Someone once said “Forget the answers; focus on asking the right questions.”  I’ll always remember the mid-1980s commercials featuring Lee Iacocca, then considered one of America’s … Continue reading →

 The managing director heads an organization with three vice presidents under him. For the last two years the company has been run this way and has been successful in turning around. With reorganization on the agenda, it is proposed that … Continue reading →

A leader can be brought down by a single follower’s actions. How can a leader reduce the risk?   We dream great dreams and set goals so huge we need organizations to achieve them. Where people organize, leaders emerge. We … Continue reading →

All of the talk about “leadership” often ignores the fact that leadership is powerful at any and all levels—and that you do not need to be heading up an organization to be an effective leader. Some of the most effective … Continue reading →

Eighteen months after starting this column, business leadership still hasn’t reached perfection. Haven’t they been reading? Why is good leadership still so rare? Maybe it’s because we use a whacked-out definition of leadership. “Leader” has become code for “rich guy … Continue reading →

Most people are not in official positions of leadership and yet we wish to do all we can to help the organization succeed. Bringing leadership skills to the table would benefit all. Since we aren’t responsible for setting the “vision” … Continue reading →

Most founders of a successful family business sell their business to an outside third party. The 39 percent of family businesses passed to a second generation fail. Why don’t these owners plan better for one of the most important events … Continue reading →

You’re so proud of your new vision statement. It sounds nice. Inspiring, even. But the vision is useless unless it can direct action. Your vision lays out a destination; your destination guides your strategy; and strategy chooses action. It’s action … Continue reading →

When we’re getting traction on something new, we typically have a week’s worth of work to do, and an hour to do it. The International Labor Organization says Americans win the prize for the most overworked people in the world.1 … Continue reading →

Setting strategic direction is hard if a company muddles strategy, vision, and tactics. But what are they? How do you know if something’s a vision or a tactic? And how do you know a vision will be effective, versus just words on a wall? This article tells you what they are and how you know you’ve got them right. Continue reading →

You have only yourself to blame for the quality of your decisions. Improve it. Start today. Are you committed to becoming a spot-on decision-maker who can make great decisions that actually guide your world? Because chances are, your personal decision-making … Continue reading →

Your little voice may have all the answers you need. Have you ever wondered how certain corrupt businesspeople can keep spouting great, moral words while doing the exact opposite in their behavior? You wonder how they can wax eloquent about … Continue reading →

A CIO’s job description: limiting technological adoption, insuring financial responsibility, linking technology to internal & external strategy. Continue reading →

Wentworth by the Sea hotel reopened a couple of years ago. Through a combination of history, customer service, and community integration, they produced a Quite Fabulous Experience for customers and employees alike. Continue reading →

What’s more important: leadership or management? Both, it turns out. Management is the tool through which leadership turns into reality. And strategic planning is the process that links leadership and management. Continue reading →

Taking responsibility is an oft-overlooked aspect of leadership. Here’s how to start taking responsibility for yourself and your organization. Continue reading →

Leadership requires vision, plain and simple. You can’t align people in an organization unless you give them a compelling future to move towards. Continue reading →

Having their accomplishments recognized makes a huge different for people. Here are some suggsetions as to what and how you might show appreciation. Continue reading →

It’s not enough to enjoy the rights of leadership; to be truly effective, you must embrance the responsiblities as well. Continue reading →

The best way to keep loyal customers is not to lose them to begin with! Yet some companies are destined to lose their customers just by virtue of how they price and market their services. This article explores five common mistakes that tank customer loyalty. Continue reading →

How tragedy can help us be more powerful leaders. Continue reading →

Which do you need more: leadership skills or management skills? Both are necessary for a healthy company. Here’s how they’re different, and what you need for both. Continue reading →

When there’s a way going on, you need to step up to leading those around you by providing a stable, but realistic sense of direction. Continue reading →

Your junior programmers may be setting your strategy through their technical decisions. Learn how technical decisions can determine your strategy, with examples drawn from web site design and its impact on customer behavior. Continue reading →

Non-technies rarely understand the extent to which IT decisions can have profound business implications. Technical folks rarely link technology decisions with the business and strategic considerations. Here are a few hard-learned lessons from a business strategist who “gets” technology. Continue reading →

Some CEOs don’t get it. They really don’t get it. Which ones? Well, this article names some of the names that really tweak me. Continue reading →

Saying “I don’t know” just may be the most powerful thing you can do in business. Continue reading →

It isn’t enough to have the title that means “boss.” In fact, the title may even be a hindrance. When you have the identity of a leader, you can align people and build a strong organization. Continue reading →

This article shares a powerful technique for bringing out people’s best: use your expectations to cause them to rise to the occasion. One caveat: your expectations must be real! Continue reading →

Warren Buffett’s commentary on CEO measurement and pay. Continue reading →

What is a CEO’s job? This abbreviated summary of the original article has been replaced by the full article, available at CEOJOB1.HTM. Continue reading →

Leadership isn’t about giving orders. It never has been. It’s about making yourself so attractive that people want to follow. This Manifesto lays out how you can stop pushing your agenda and instead become a “Pull Leader.” Continue reading →

In a leadership position, even the small stuff … isn’t. People watch your every move. Get used to it. Continue reading →

Stever’s monthly column, the Leadership Workshop, on Harvard Business School’s Working Knowledge website. Continue reading →

The CEO has one of the oddest and least understood job descriptions of anyone in a company. This article is the last in a series of four that outline what a CEO should be doing and how she should be spending her time. Continue reading →

The CEO has one of the oddest and least understood job descriptions of anyone in a company. This article is the third in a series of four that outline what a CEO should be doing and how she should be spending her time. Continue reading →

The CEO has one of the oddest and least understood job descriptions of anyone in a company. This article is the second in a series of four that outline what a CEO should be doing and how she should be spending her time. Continue reading →

As your company grows, you need to change how you think and how you spend your time if you’re to lead the company to success. Here’s how to adopt the mindset of a leader. Continue reading →

The CEO has one of the oddest and least understood job descriptions of anyone in a company. This article is the first in a series of four that outline what a CEO should be doing and how she should be spending her time. Continue reading →