Unconventional Leadership: How Did Vulnerability Become Powerful?

It’s an interesting world we live in. “Show No Fear” and “Take No Prisoners” form the budget bargaining approach we get from the present Speaker of the House – John Boehner – who also cries at the drop of his hat.

Is the ability to evidence toughness and vulnerability in style? Are emotions the new black?

Boehner and emotions were top of mind on the way to re-listening to Brene Brown’s terrific TED talk The Power of Vulnerability until I  sidetracked onto David Brooks TED piece titled The Social Animal.… Read the rest

RIP Walter Breuning: Smarts & Wisdom – and Why You Need Both

The young man knows the rules but the old man knows the exceptions” suggested Oliver Wendell Holmes.

Holmes, one of the 20th century’s most influential public figures, was on to something.

While youth (and fresh eyes) serve well with certain types of situations – think Emperor’s New Clothes, quant analysis, or the brilliance behind the Apple’s designs –  wisdom from elders is something that you can’t find anyplace else.… Read the rest

Tips for Execs: A Drive By is Not a Check-In

I’m having lunch and a close-out conversation with an exec coaching client in Silicon Valley today. She has made obtained great results with small changes; her boss thinks she’s doing great and frankly so do I.

And she’s got a lesson or two that you can use.

One of the things she’s done is slowed down and let her direct reports (and a colleague or two) lead part of the conversation.… Read the rest

How to Juggle – or Hope to Juggle – Multiple Job Offers

Every job candidate’s dream is to have several job prospects that meet your job specs and simultaneously produce offers when you’re ready to make a decision.

Sometimes it really does work out that way; most of the time it doesn’t. And what you’re left with, as the anonymous poster on Quora this morning noted, is a “way to extend a job offer” so they can see what other offers surface?… Read the rest

The Best Steps to Prevent Senior New Hire Failure?

The cost to hire a good senior exec (think CFO, GC, COO, CMO, CEO  etc.)  is pricey.

The people are talented, can be really good at what they do, and the market in some sectors is seriously hot.

To compound things, talent poaching – the recruiting of a senior exec from one firm to another – is increasing and multiple offers to execs are on the upswing according to the Wall Street Journal.… Read the rest