Great Leadership

On mirrors

2010-01-26T21:08:00.000+02:00

Dear Leader
More and more, it becomes crucial to reflect.
To see what you stand for, rather than what you oppose.
To see where you're going, rather than where you're coming from.
To understand that humility and pride are the cornerstones of greatness.
And we need greatness more than ever.
The greatness that comes from reflection and realization:
I can contribute.
While you reflect, look in the mirror - that's the person whose going to make the greatest difference in your life.
That's what mirrors are for.
Kind Regards
Your reflection

Answers

2009-02-10T08:35:00.001+02:00

Dear Leader,
Please don't have all the answers.
We want to answer some questions ourselves.
Regards
Your team.

Hand written

2008-08-14T14:59:00.000+02:00

Dear Leader
In a digital world, do some personal stuff.
Write a letter or a postcard.
Your handwriting shows you care.
Regards
A Scribbler

Keep it simple

2008-08-13T14:56:00.000+02:00

Dear Leader,
In a world full of clutter, you need to find the clues.
The clues will tell you what's crucial.
Then do that.
In an Attention Deficit world, it's not easy.
So ask yourself, how much time do I spend on what's clutter, what's clues and what's crucial.
And find the balance.
Good Luck
It's not easy.
Your Friend
Choice

Music and Mastery

2008-08-12T22:54:00.000+02:00

Dear Leader
So what's the "unheard" music like in your workplace?
Is there resonance or dissonance?
Remember, you need to keep the place in tune.
Good luck
A Composer

Pause

2008-08-11T15:01:00.002+02:00

Dear Leader,
The race is on.
The Rat Race.
So, pause and look around you...
Then decide where you're running.
It's good to check on your destination every now and then...
It matters.
It gives direction.
Your friend
True North

Play the game

2008-08-11T14:47:00.002+02:00

Dear Leader
Remember you are not a referee, not a judge, and not a policeman.
You are part of the game.
Part of the team.
A crucial part.
Go, Play.
Regards
A Teammate

Money

2008-08-01T21:21:00.000+02:00

Dear Leader,
Make sure that you or your people don't pay too much for money.
It's not worth it.
Regards
A Rich Man

On Caring

2008-07-31T21:19:00.000+02:00

Dear Leader,
I'm so glad you care.
Just testing:
What's the cleaner's name?
How many kids does she/he have?
What are there names?
Just wondering
Regards
Someone who cares

When to handle problems

2008-07-30T21:17:00.000+02:00

Dear Leader
David Alan says it best:
Handle problems (issues) when they SHOW UP, not when they BLOW UP.
So what has shown up?
Regards
The Bomb Squad

Why

2008-07-29T21:15:00.000+02:00

Dear Leader,
Make sure people know WHY they do what they do.
One of your biggest duties is to ensure people understand the context.
If you wonder why,
It's a good start.
Regards
A Wandering Wonderer

Swich off to tune in...

2008-07-28T21:12:00.000+02:00

Dear Leader
Remember to switch off your technology (cellphone, computer etc) if you really want to "tune in" to your people.
When you are on-line for others, you are off-line for your employees.
So, switch off, tune in. (When it's necessary, which may be more than you think)
It matters.
Regards
A Listener

On appointments

2008-07-25T21:10:00.000+02:00

Dear Leader
Try to always appoint someone who is better than you.
It shows how good you really are!
Regards
A Friend

Positions and Leading

2008-07-24T21:08:00.001+02:00

Position does not determine whether someone leads...
We all LEAD Lives...
Some people have been leading from difficult positions, yet they inspired...
Nelson Mandela led from a prison cell.
Where are you leading from.
Whereto are you taking your life?
Go ahead, lead on.
Your Friend
A Writer of life stories

A commandment

2008-07-23T21:05:00.000+02:00

Dear Leader,
Don't always do unto others as you would have them do unto you...
Do unto others as they would have done unto them.
What matters to you may not matter to them...And what matters to them may not matter to you.
But it should.
Take care,
Your Friend
Commandment

In Spire

2008-07-22T21:01:00.000+02:00

Dear Leader,
Ever noticed the IN in INSPIRE.
You can do what you want, but if people don't feel it "IN" them, they will not be inspired.
So, talk to the HEART when you want to In-Spire.
Forget facts and figures sometimes, they are important, but so are dreams and wishes.
Work on both,
And they will be in-spired.
Kind Regards
Your Friend
Inspiration

When anger is good

2008-07-21T20:56:00.000+02:00

Dear Leader,
South Africa was playing a crucial rugby match against their arch-rivals Nieu Zealand. In the previous game, which South Africa lost, their captain, John Smith, was injured. He had to return to South Africa. He was furious. The reason was - he could not play in the next game - and he believed they would win...on a field where South Africa had never won. He wanted to be part of that victory. The team were hungry to win.
And they did.
Because even though he was absent, his anger showed that he really believed the team would win.
And it's all about believing in the team.
Regards
A Coach

Mindful of the future

2008-07-18T22:53:00.000+02:00

Dear Leader
What are the characteristics of future leaders?
1) Know what it's all about (your field, your discipline).
2) Be Creative.
3) Bring together things that seem to be apart .
4) Respect others.
5) Remember the importance of values and ethics.
Regards
Your Friend
Futurethinker

Fun...

2008-07-17T22:50:00.000+02:00

Dear Leader,
Remember the fun we had as children?
Are your people having fun?
It's funny, but sometimes it's worth more than money.
Your Friend,
Play

Conducting Leadership

2008-07-16T22:46:00.000+02:00

Dear Leader

Ever noticed that great leaders are like the conductors of an orchestra?

They bring out the best in the different players...

And they have their back towards the audience.

Even more...

When there is applause, they indicate that it should be given to the players (orechestra).

Keep Conducting.

Your Friend,

Classical Composition

Why you are where you are

2008-07-15T22:35:00.002+02:00

Dear Leader,

You are where you are because someone, somewhere believed in you.

Return the favour today.

Believe in someone, create opportunity.

That’s where true leadership begins.

Regards

Potential.

What balance?

2008-07-14T10:18:00.000+02:00

Dear Leader,
I've spoken about this before, but I want to remind you again...
Balance does not come naturally. You have to fight for it.
If not, your time is going to disappear, and shortly after that, so will you family, your social life and your friendships.
It's going to be a tough battle!
And long.
Keep fighting, it's worth it.
Regards
Your friends and family

On tales and trails...

2008-07-13T12:29:00.002+02:00

Dear Leader,

What's your role in my story?

I seems strange for me to ask, but since I am a follower, I would like to know.

It will determine the kind of obstacles I am willing to face. My loyalty to you as a leader.

So, tell me, where are we going, and why should I go along?

Regards

A Follower

On legacy...

2008-07-13T12:24:00.002+02:00

Dear Leader,

What will they remember about you 5 years after you have left?

What would you want them to remember?

Keep working on it.

And make sure it's about them and not about you. Otherwise you were not leading, but merely taking a walk.

Your Friend

Legacy

The Power of Perception

2008-07-10T06:54:00.004+02:00

Dear Leader

Why do people listen to you?

Because they fear you?

Because they respect you?

Think hard about it, many leaders get confused between the two , and think they are respected when, in fact they are feared.

Respect is gained. Fear is imposed.

Know the difference.

Your friend

Reflection.