By Gail | Published:
July 27, 2009
The EVP of Marketing, Vic, was frustrated with his team. A highly intelligent and forceful leader, Vic demanded the best from his people. He held them to the highest standard, expecting them to demonstrate a deep understanding of the business and to execute flawlessly. His team members admired and feared him, and they did their best to meet his expectations.
The problem was innovation. Vic was tired of being the only one on the team who came up with new ideas. He was sure others on his team had thoughts to contribute, but they didn’t speak up. He talked with me about his plan to foster innovative thinking on his team. He would hold a meeting and start by offering his best ideas, then invite others around the table to contribute theirs. Read More
By Gail | Published:
July 6, 2009
At lunch recently, Jennifer, an up-and-coming business leader, asked about a challenge she was facing. Last winter she had been reporting directly to the CEO while the role of her direct manager had been vacant. She had valued the opportunity to be part of the conversations at the top of the house, and she had made a very good impression on the CEO and others on the senior leadership team. However, a few months ago David had been hired from outside to fill the role above her, and now she was no longer invited to the most senior-level meetings. As an ambitious and talented business leader, she felt a little frustrated. How could she continue to build her reputation and have impact on the direction of the business?
In a company where most of the senior team had worked there for decades, David was a newcomer. An intelligent and experienced senior business leader, he had been hired for his ability to bring change to the organization. His communication style was pleasant but reserved, which made it difficult for Jennifer to gauge his assessment of her or his expectations. She wondered whether her rise in the company would be derailed because she did not know how to read him. Read More
By Gail | Published:
July 5, 2009
Has it been years since you last interviewed for a job? Do you have an important interview scheduled and you really want to land that position?
We can help you present your best by ramping up your interviewing skills. As experts in executive selection, we have interviewed hundreds of business leaders. We know what interviewers are looking for and the keys to success in an interview. Read More
By Gail | Published:
June 16, 2009
Just after 5 p.m., half a dozen business leaders were heading down to the parking lot in the elevator when the CEO of the company stepped in. As they were riding down, he glanced at his watch. When they reached the ground floor, the doors opened and the CEO stepped out, but everyone else remained in the elevator, rode back up, and returned to their desks.
What happened? When the leaders saw the CEO glance at his watch, they assumed he was thinking, “Hmm – that’s interesting. All my senior team members are heading home at 5 instead of working the longer hours their challenging roles demand.” And what was really going on? In fact, he was thinking, “I wonder if I’m going to make my flight.”
Read More
By Gail | Published:
June 3, 2009
Gotta love that euphemism, “in transition.” It’s the soft way of saying “out of work.” It conveys a great message – that being unemployed is a passage to some wonderful new venture. Sometimes an out-of-work business leader feels that sense of freedom and possibility. But at other times, an unemployed leader or professional feels as if he or she is on the road to nowhere. Read More
By Gail | Published:
June 1, 2009
Gail Golden On Leadership, Presented by The Alter Group: Gail Golden, PhD, management psychologist at RHR International, says that in difficult times, people look towards leadership for direction planning. Gail describes organizational change and addresses strategies for leading through crisis. Read More
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