Nabble - Paradigm Shift: The Community

A Great Message

2008-06-28T13:33:52Z

A colleague of mine shared a great story with me that I thought would be worthwhile to share with others about the difference between compliance and commitment.
The root of the word "manage" is apparently from an Italian word meaning to train a horse.
Traditionally we have heard this refered to as "breaking" the horse or teaching it to submit to its master's will. You use a number of techniques to accomplish this:
- saddling the horse and riding it until you wear it out and break its will
-tying the saddled horse to a tree or post until it tires itself out
-drowning the horse or similar techniques

A new process has emerged called gentling or "starting" the horse. This technique uses very different methodologies:
- observing the horse carefully
- familiarizing the horse gradually to the weight, smells,etc of the new experience
-gaining the horses trust and willing agreement

Sometimes in a turbulent atmosphere we act like the first trainer. We see chaos and reluctance as rebellion and we seek to "break" the behavior. It may appear to be effective in the short term, but underneath is an attitude of fear and resentment.

Effective leaders recognize that chaos and reluctance are signs of uncertainty and fear and allow the effected employees to adjust to the change.

As with a horse do you want employees who have "joined up" with you or whose behavior is conditioned by fear?

I know which model I prefer.

Your personal brand

2008-06-24T11:38:53Z

Do you have a personal brand? How do you cultivate it and more importantly how do you monitor it?

My frustration

2008-06-24T10:45:06Z

It may be that I was just born with an absence of patience. I sat through a meeting this morning where it felt as if activity was being mistaken for meaningful progress. We seem so concerned about the process we have lost sight of the objective. How do we catalyze meaningful action?

HR's Image Problem

2008-06-15T20:33:05Z

I entered the field of Human Resources (then called Personnel) in the late 70's and was stunned by the low regard in which the field and its practioners was held. As a regular user of LinkedIn I continue to see today people talking about HR and how they don't add value or shouldn't be allowed to "get in the way!" It's been thirty years and we still live in that dark place.
I was a practicing HR manager and executive for over 15 years before I entered consulting. I have my own ideas about the issues that people have with the profession and its practioners, but I would like to hear from both sides- HR professionals and the "clients".

How do you role model leadership?

2008-06-08T20:54:33Z

How do you role model leadership?

Are you willing to take the challenge?

2008-06-08T20:53:49Z

A colleague recently shared with me the the leaders of Native American tribes used to consider the outcome of their decisions and actions for seven generations! What an interesting metaphor for considering our own actions as leaders and managers today. Are any of us willing to take that challenge?

How do you create balance?

2008-06-08T20:51:49Z

Is there a process for creating balance In any enterprise situation you are dealing with the potentially competing interests of at least four stakeholder groups- the customer, the shareholder, the employees, and the community. How do you go through the process of creating balance- or should you?

What does commitment look like to you?

2008-06-08T20:45:46Z

My partner and I have created a new leadership model we call compliance to Commitment™. What does Commitment look like to you?

Questions For Leaders...

2008-06-08T20:40:35Z

If you had an opportunity to speak with one or more of the world’s greatest leaders, living or dead, what would you ask them?