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LEADERSHIP: TURNING AROUND FAILURE

published:2010-09-06 01:00:00

I’ve just discovered that my favourite blogger, Seth Godin, is also a columnist with the Harvard Business Review. However, even in this mainstream venue, he retains his quirky preoccupation with what’s wrong in the world. He prises open our minds and this is certainly true when he redefines

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LEADERSHIP: HOW’S YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND COURAGE?

published:2010-08-30 01:00:00

What do lobsters, scorpions and bees have in common? Yes, a capacity to inflict a nasty bite. But they also all lack a

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LEADERSHIP: 12 FACETS OF EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE

published:2010-08-23 01:00:00

A valuable gemstone has many facets, each finely polished. To be a valuable leader, you similarly need a range of carefully honed capabilities.

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LEADERSHIP: FIVE FAULTS TO FIX

published:2010-08-16 01:00:00

Another home run for Seth – my favourite blogger. His posting of 13 June* describes the entrepreneur’s desire for a magic lottery ticket –

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LEADERSHIP: OF GENERATIONS X, Y AND Z

published: 2008-12-28

School teachers often teach - and, therefore, have to lead - students of a common age. But, most of us lead teams covering a range of ages. So, why the fixation with the leadership needs of Generation X or Y, or any other letter of the alphabet? An effective leader engages people of all ages - and types. And, I'll bet X and Y are as diverse as any group.

LEADERSHIP: ARE THEY RIOTING IN THE STREETS?

published: 2009-06-22

Social networking sites and TV screens have been alight and aTwitter in recent times with voters rampaging through Teheran, Shiraz and Isfahan.  These historic cities have been host to massive leadership disaffection and revolt against an apparently rigged appointment.  Such disturbances have few parallels in business life.  But, many appointments cause concern; and, often leaders lack full support.  If we polled your team, how would you rate?  What are early warning signs you should watch for?

LEADERSHIP: HOW MUCH DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE?

published: 2009-07-27

We often speak of some part of our organisation running "like a well-oiled machine".  But, we all know business lacks that precise and reliable machine-like character.  It's organic, changeable and often unstable.  Unlike an engine, it's not bolted to a chassis or floor.  It floats in a larger organic pool of economic, competitive and regulatory influences.  No wonder, therefore, people find it hard to measure (and justify) leadership investment.  But, if you've found some good metrics or trustworthy business-performance stats., please let me know (timothy@vectorleadership.com).  In the meantime, here are some arguments to consider.

LEADERSHIP: POWER AND PURPOSE

published: 2010-01-28

US decline and China's inexorable rise are much talked of.  But, in a recent article, Josef Joffe* concludes his rebuttal thus.  "Gainsayers will still dramatise China's growth rates as a harbinger of a grand power shift.  But as the 21st century unfolds, the US will be younger and more dynamic than its competitors."  Whether right or wrong, it's an important issue.  And, his arguments have resonance for the durability of leaders, as well as nations.  He stresses the requirement for "requisite power and purpose."  If asked, would your colleagues say you still have these?

LEADERSHIP: TRUST ME, TRUST ME NOT

published: 2010-02-15

In his first year as Prime Minister of Australia, Kevin Rudd enjoyed unusually high poll ratings. He represented a change of both priorities and approach that many voters welcomed. That was 2007. But now in 2010, a survey of five capital-city talk-back hosts* gives us the following quotes. He "talks about taking tough decisions, but I don't think our audience necessarily buys that he's made any tough decisions." "They see his language as contrived, his personality as plastic and they don't think he's got a sense of humour." They "can't understand what he's on about." Assuming you're past the honeymoon phase of your current leadership role, what are people saying about you? What do they want you to do differently? Here are six actions I've read that journalists or other commentators have suggested for Kevin Rudd in recent months.

LEADERSHIP: WHERE AND HOW DO WE ALL FIT IN?

published: 2008-02-04

The golden rule of property is position, position, position. And, leadership is similar. But, in this case it’s people, people, people. And the bottom line is simple: you’re not a leader if you don’t have followers. How would your team rate their commitment to you and your plans: high, medium or low?

LEADERSHIP: BEING OUT THERE

published: 2008-04-19

Nature abhors a vacuum. Particularly, an information blackout. And, if you let one arise, it may quickly fill with “good stories” put about by competitors and enemies.

LEADERSHIP: THINK BIG BUT ALSO SMALL

published: 2010-05-24

Successful leaders offer both an uplifting goal and the steps to get there. The secret’s in the balance. If you’re only visionary, your legacy may well be just that: a high-potential but unrealised dream. People love it, but nothing happens. Equally, if you’re only focused on action and implementation, your people may be busy as hell but going nowhere. On long flights, I sometimes cook up an idea and enjoy the experience of what the outcome might look like – truly the view from 30,000 feet. But later, back at my desk, I have to think about how we’ll get there and my interest wanes. Too much hard work. Which would your people say you are: the dreamer or the detailer? Test yourself: which of the following two statements is more your home territory?

LEADERSHIP: WHAT’S YOUR SOVEREIGN RISK RATING?

published: 2010-06-15

Daily papers and serious journals are currently full of articles about sovereign risk. The possibility Greece or other European countries (particularly those fringing the Mediterranean) will default or reschedule their debt. This could undermine the standing and even the survival of the euro. Wikipedia defines it thus: the risk of a government becoming unwilling or unable to meet its loan obligations, or reneging on loans it guarantees. What is the leadership equivalent – and how do people rate you as a risk? Let’s explore some ways to reduce that.