By Linda Fisher Thornton I was pruning shrubs this week and it occurred to me that we have many mistaken assumptions about leadership that can lead us to make bad choices. Those flawed assumptions are like the deadwood we prune away from our plants in the spring. ...If we don't prune regularly, the deadwood affects our growth and success.
Tag: what are leadership skills
Yes, Leaders. Behavior Matters
By Linda Fisher Thornton As leaders, we are expected to uphold the highest standards of ethical behavior, and that includes interpersonal behavior (HOW we get the results we get, and how our behavior impact others). This week I'm sharing a review of behaviors that are a "NO GO" for ethical leaders. Click on each link to learn about why the behavior is outside the bounds of ethical leadership.
What is Ethical Thinking?
By Linda Fisher Thornton Today I'm taking you inside the mind of the ethical leader to explore ethical thinking. Inside the Mind of an Ethical Leader “I make decisions based on values, not money pressures.” “I need to constantly learn in order to stay ethical.”
Just Say No To 10 Behaviors That Kill Competence
By Linda Fisher Thornton On the lifelong quest to become our best selves, we must S-T-R-E-T-C-H and grow and learn from our mistakes. Being a flexible and willing learner, we can more easily stay competent as the world changes. Here are 10 things that we must NEVER do if we are to accomplish the elusive goal of becoming our best selves:
Possibility, Service and Making a Difference
By Linda Fisher Thornton Recently, I released the Leading in Context Manifesto, a bold statement of belief about the kind of ethical leadership that I believe we need to use every day. Today, I want to explore the mindset behind the Manifesto. It opens with this statement about our purpose as leaders: "We are here to focus on what's right and what's possible, not on what's historical or convenient. We are here to serve others, not to profit from their vulnerabilities. We are here to make a positive difference, through intentional leadership and responsible choices." The Leading in Context® Manifesto
Cultural Competence Required
By Linda Fisher Thornton Openness to learning about other cultures has become a necessary component of leadership. One way to help people respect cultural differences is to build what UNESCO calls "intercultural competence."
“Dial it Back” (Over-Solving Problems Can Be Unethical)
By Linda Fisher Thornton Sometimes out of fear, convenience, profit (or marketing promises) we use a solution that goes way beyond what is necessary to solve the problem. There are broad ethical implications of over-solving problems, and this post will explore some of them.
What is Unethical Leadership?
Exploring "Unethical Leadership" How do we define unethical leadership? While there are hundreds of stories that illustrate examples of unethical leadership in the news, those stories taken together still do not clearly define the boundaries of what unethical leadership includes
Collaborative Leadership in a Global Society
What is Collaborative Leadership? What does collaborative leadership look like in a global society? At the societal level it's taking the best that all of us know and can do and putting it together in ways that help everyone.
What is Creativity?
What is Creativity? In the leadership development world, creativity is getting a great deal of attention now. But what is it? Can you learn it? Is it a skill? How do we lead in ways that encourage it? This post begins to answer those important leadership questions. When we explore the question "What is creativity?" from a thinking and learning point of view, an open and active mind is clearly required - one that can see new possibilities. But is there more to it than that? This post explores the variables that make up what we think of as "creativity."
The Adaptability Paradox
The well worn path that we have followed for years is easy to follow. We know the rules, the processes, the tools, the pitfalls and all other aspects of that path. Our comfort with that path makes it harder for us to see that even though the 'way we have always done things' has led us to success in the past, it may not in the future.
Leadership and…Human Rights
Honoring Human Rights As business leaders, it is our responsibility to honor human rights in all that we do. Article 1 of the The UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights says that: All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood. UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Becoming “Business Leader Future”
"Business Leader Future" Post Struck a Chord With Readers The response to the February 1, 2012 post "Business Leader Future: A Sketch" has been overwhelming. Thanks so much to all of you who retweeted, commented on and shared it on your favorite social media channels. At the end of this post is a visual story, via Storify, of selected reader comments.
How to Use the Leading in Context® Website
How to Use The Leading in Context® Website Consider how you want to find information and then click on the link below: ◊ To understand the evolving definition of "leading ethically" in a global society (Review Selected Posts) ◊ To follow my curiosity (Scan the Blog Index for titles that interest you!)
100 Trends to Watch in 2012
As we enter 2012, these trend reports will give you a sense of where the world is going in a variety of different areas, from responsible leadership to social media, branding, consumerism, mobile apps and web design, food and color trends. Enjoy!
Leading in Context 