Patricia Koopersmith is the very definition of a doer and a go-getter, and a glass ceiling breaker, but to her surprise this career strength turned out to be one of her biggest hurdles as she transitioned into the executive ranks as Chief Operating Officer at The Clearing, Inc., a strategic...
Leadership
Commander’s Intent – Adapting a Powerful Military Leadership Strategy for Civilian Success
My son is applying* to a military academy and as you might imagine, our household has been full of discussions about military issues and approaches to things of late. In working with clients recently, I realized that one of the military’s greatest leadership principles I was opining on with my son...
INSIGHT: Fake It Or Make It
Every time I speak about building confidence I’m asked, “Can I fake it ‘til I figure out how to make it?” I usually ask the crowd their opinion. Vigorous discussion ensues, making my job really easy. Many have experienced the hollow feelings of inauthenticity that faking it brings, and they argue...
The Weakness in Strengths-based Leadership
We love the strength’s-based leadership approach. It challenges us to know what our natural gifts are and build on them. But if we’re not careful it can make us blind to our opportunities to improve. – InPower Editors I recently worked with a Vice President who was an up-and-comer in her firm’s...
Keys to Success: 2 Tricks for Goal-Setting and Personal Change
Leadership, career and success gurus place a huge focus on goals as keys to success. There are tons of articles, books, videos, classes and “systems” on how to set goals, how to organize them and how to “keep” them. Entire franchises have been built on this one productivity skill. And with good...
Mentee vs. Protégé: Is there a Difference?
When you’re mentoring someone, what do you call the person to whom you’re imparting all your wisdom? Mentee seems the easy, opposite of mentor, but I don’t like the term. Putting an “ee” on something makes it sound like something you’re “doing to” someone else. Key Takeaways: Mentorship is a...
Gen Z: A Multigenerational Leadership Opportunity to Respect Diversity
“These young whippersnappers, today!” Can’t you just hear it? That old geezer whining about the young upstarts? Multigenerational leadership challenges between younger and older workers are as predictable as the sun. When I was young I just remember trying to survive when I came into the work...
Speak Your Truth To Power – High Risk/High Reward
Almost half of respondents from a recent survey (48%) say they withhold their truth more than 25% of the time. Why? Because 82% say they’ve been penalized in the past for speaking up, being pushed aside, minimized and even losing their jobs. When I asked this question in discussion forums and in the survey, some of the emotions were raw. People feel that their integrity is at stake when something important is on the line and most (76%) feel regret when they decide to bite their tongues. But there’s a silver lining here if you want to advance your career and feel like you’re taking your whole self to the office every day (i.e., most of us) – 72% said that speaking truth to power actually got them ahead! You can learn to negotiate this professional development minefield to help advance your career and maintain your integrity at the same time. Read the full post for more stats and insights. Download the survey results free and register for the new eCourse, Speak Your Truth to Power.
What You & An Air Force General Have in Common – The Path To Leadership
When I first met Lieutenant General Judith Fedder, I was immediately struck by her poise and presence. Then I noticed the three stars on her shoulder and wanted to know about her experience with power and leadership as one of the most senior ranking women in the military. She was very open and...
Do Men and Women Vision Future Success Differently?
One of the joys of my career has always been helping individuals and groups develop compelling, meaningful and guiding visions – the kind of visions that pull them excitedly into their future success. Most of the corporate visioning work I’ve done with executive teams has not included many women....