Friday, May 30, 2014

Good to Great (3) Superior Results


Deliver superior performance vis-a-vis purpose, mission or target

Make a clear difference for people in the community

Build endurance and ensure success for the long haul

Reference: Jim Collins.

Friday, May 16, 2014

Leadership Breakthrough (3) Anne Sweeney



Anne Sweeney, President of Disney-ABC Television Group, may not be able to explain it entirely.  But while her team apparently used the best of their analytic and planning skills, she drew on a moment of insight, maybe from her gut, that they all had to go faster.  Her approach, as she describes it, was understated but pivotal:  She put it on the table for her team to mull over and come back to.  She didn't impose it, she didn't demand it, and she didn't cheer-lead around it.  The team came back, and must have drawn up the road map for getting it done on an accelerated time frame, and ended up having an exciting year in the process.

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Leadership Breakthrough (2) Anne-Marie Slaughter



What Anne-Marie Slaughter, President and CEO of the New America Foundation, relates is a perfect counter-argument to our social media preoccupation with Likes, pluses, and endorsements.  Sometimes to do the right thing means subjecting oneself to criticism, opposition or dismissal.  But one must hold steadfast and go forward, as she did.

Monday, May 12, 2014

Leadership Breakthrough (1) Annie Young-Scrivner



Annie Young-Scrivner, President of Starbucks Canada and also Executive Vice President at the company, points to a number of key things about leadership teams, which are easier said than done.  For one, it isn't just a matter of her team agreeing with what they have to do, but they also have to buy into it heart and soul.  Moreover, she appreciates the fact that at the same time they must different from her, leverage their skill sets and personality styles, and work collaboratively and forthrightly toward a tough target (e.g., drastically altering a growth trajectory).