Posts made in September, 2010
How Do We Get Out of This Mess?
Share By: Kathleen Schafer, Founding Principal-Leadership Connection The only thing people can agree on while discussing politics is that our political system is not working. It’s too big for some, too small for others, not responsive, and ill-managed. Everyone can identify what’s not working and we’re not too optimistic about things changing substantively anytime soon. Our challenge is that everyone sees the problems, everyone claims to want things to change; however, too few of us are actually willing to do the work to create the change we want. Many Americans point to the Tea Party as a hopeful sign of change. While Tea Party activists have captured the...
Read MoreLeadership Myth #1: As a leader, I must change other people
Share By: Kathleen Schafer, Founding Principal-Leadership Connection As I work with clients and students, I have come understand some of the things people think about leadership stand in the way of leading. From time to time, I like to discuss these false notions of leadership in order to debunk the myths that keep us from achieving our full leadership potential. In our current social and political climates we hear a lot of talk about getting people to “do the right thing.” Leadership Myth: As a leader, I must change other people Many prospective leaders believe they have a responsibility to make others do something the leader believes would contribute to...
Read MoreIf We Want Quality Leaders, We Need to Focus on Quality Candidates
Share By: Kathleen Schafer, Founding Principal-Leadership Connection Today is the last day of primaries before November’s general election. In every story I have watched, heard or read about these races and for all the other primary days, the focus is on the supposed “quantifiable”… Who is ahead in the polls? What will a victory for a republican or democrat mean for majorities in the House or Senate? What does the outcome say about Obama and his chances for re-election in 2012? What does this race say about the Tea Party and its chances for future success? Is it any wonder we have elected officials whose primary focus is re-election when the only...
Read MoreAuthenticity Serves One Well
These days authenticity often serves as code for being “touchy-feely” in the cold harsh worlds of business, politics, law, medicine, and other professions where professionals are taught that the accumulation and wielding of power is the only game in town. After all, who needs to be authentic when you can succeed by climbing over people and then telling them what to do while reaping the spoils of victory? Interestingly, more and more people are finding that success and the corner office often come with a price, and many of these individuals are beginning to ask themselves if another way is possible. Those who came before have taught us the worn-out formula for...
Read MoreWhat’s Wrong with Obama?
Share By: Kathleen Schafer, Founding Principal-Leadership Connection What happened to the charismatic, inspirational and visionary “leader” who rode into Washington nearly two years ago on the river of hope and an intense public desire for things to be “different?” Has this man changed from a believer in the power of individuals to make things better into a cynic, corrupted by the world’s greatest power game? Perhaps what we see in Obama now, is the stark reality of what happens when well-intentioned leaders get elected to office and start listening more to their handlers than to their authentic selves. Yes, I’ve repeatedly heard...
Read MoreSocial Stream
When freedom for one of us is threatened, all of us must find the peace in ourselves and support those on the frontlines….
You don’t need to do everything-you need to do something. Everyone has something meaningful to contribute; #leaders are the ones doing it
Do you know how to be your best? The first step is in making the choice to live your talents everyday and allow your #leadership to shine!