Quote of the Week

“Firmness of purpose is one of the most necessary sinews of character, and one of the best instruments of success. Without it genius wastes its efforts in a maze of inconsistencies.”
Philip Dormer Chesterfield

Life Under a Microscope

by Peter R. Wilkinson, PhD

I am amazed that some leaders and managers think they can ‘do their thing’ and no one will notice. The actual situation is that people who work for leaders and managers have them under a microscope 24-7, watching everything they say and do. Subsequently, as soon as a leader or manager does anything inconsistent with what they said they were going to do, it is immediately noticed, and a ‘chink in the armor’ becomes apparent. With the ‘chink in the armor’ comes a loss of trust and respect. Exacerbating this situation is the fact that as soon as the ‘chink in the armor’ appears, the word spreads like wildfire as everyone discusses it.

Therefore, if you are a leader or manager, you are the model, all the time, in all circumstances. Thinking you can ‘get away’ with some inconsistency is foolhardy (Wilkinson, 2008, p. 154).

From: Wilkinson, P.R. (2008). Aha: insights for effective leadership and management. Baltimore: Publish America.

Reprinted with permission from the OSU Leadership Center, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, (614) 292-3114, http://leadershipcenter.osu.edu.

Coaching Call to Action

Think of a time you have observed a manager of your’s being inconsistent. What was the impact on you? Think of a time you have been inconsistent in your leadership/management role. What was the impact on you? On others? As a result of taking the time to do this exercise, what change will you make this week?

Community Involvement

September 24, 2009
Pounce on a Project VI – 2009

After taking the summer off from Pouncing, it’s time to get back on track. What project would you like to get on top of and accomplish this month? Come to Pounce on a Project VI – 2009. Join Coach Andrea on Thursday, September 24th, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Eastern. We will join as a group by phone and declare what you want to accomplish: preparing your marketing plan for Q4, writing your newsletter for the month, written performance reviews, or making cold calls.

During the morning, the group will gather by phone a few times to check progress and get any support needed to finish with a bang. At noon, the group will celebrate their accomplishments. Who says projects have to be boring and tedious? Bring your lightness and fun and join us for the energization.

To sign up or learn more, call or e-mail Andrea by noon on Tuesday, September 23rd. Feel free to share this with friends and co- workers, the more the merrier. (Cost of the program is only the cost of long distance phone calls.)

Other articles you might be interested in:

  1. Get to Know Each Other: It Dramatically Changes the Relationship
  2. Attitude: It’s the Engine and the Energy
  3. The Ideal Manager
  4. Management Matters: Positively Successful
  5. Holding Ourselves Accountable

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