Be a Leader During Difficult Times
Today’s Tuesday Reading is actually a short podcast (and its transcript) -- “Be a Leader During Difficult Times” -- of an interview with Marshall Goldsmith, widely regarded as one of this country’s premier executive coaches. You can find the podcast at http://www.masieweb.com/uncertain1 and the transcript is available for downloading from this website.
Nancy Baumann, one of ITLP’s Group X alumni, recently wrote to her Group X colleagues pointing them to the podcast and suggesting that, given the clearly difficult times in which we all find ourselves, they begin to ask themselves as well as their staff six questions:
- Where (big picture) are we going right now? Where should we be going?
- Where are YOU (staff member) going? How can YOU add value?
- What are you doing well?
- Here are my (the leader’s) suggestions for your improvement. What ideas do you have for your improvement?
- How can I help?
- What suggestions do you have for me as a leader to help you?
Nancy also pointed to several coaching suggestions Goldsmith makes:
- Don’t hide from what is, don’t fake it! Be up front.
- Face reality
- Make peace
- Let go of the past
- Work with staff to identify and move forward in the new world as it exists NOW; it may change tomorrow.
Goldsmith’s final point is critical: Don’t get paralyzed. Focus on what you can do. What “is” is!
Take the time to listen to the podcast or to read its transcript. And, use what you learn there as you lead your group in the coming months.
Have a great week.
. . . . . jim