One-Faced Leader

I hear a hell of a lot of noise in the world of leadership. Fancy titles, and years of doing the same thing over and over without changing with the times...er...I mean, lots of experience...do not equate with one of the easiest ways to be effective.

Be real! 

Be you!

Stop trying to sound like something you're not!

Jargon

Regardless of the terms in the glossary of your certification credentials handbook of choice, I beg you to only use them when you're taking your favorite certification exam.

No one else cares about them, and quite honestly, no one should. 

"Jargon, in any field, becomes the cover that hides rampant incompetence of leaders everywhere. 

Leadership is not about words, 

it is about connecting with the people 

in your organization and making 

a difference for them, and your company."

- Jay Kuhns

Not About You

Time and again we hear the pundits espouse the power of listening, connecting, engaging, and working closely with our teams. 

Yet the reality is far too often a constant reminder from leadership that they are the "smart ones" and the rest of the team should be grateful that they are in place to save the day.

Pass me my barf bag.

These are the same leaders who are mocked behind their backs for being so embarrassingly out of touch with their own corporate cultures that the team wonders what they actually do all day.

How About You

There should only be one face that leaders wear. It should not be covered in fancy titles, corporate jargon or illusions of power shown only in the workplace. Instead, it should be one that is authentic, consistent, and unafraid to be seen where it matters most...

...on the front line.

I'd love to hear from you.

No Excuses.

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Don't Be A Human Resources Jargolonian

Every professional discipline has a unique culture that goes along with it. Key terms, work processes, codes of ethics, behavioral norms, and words that inform various situations or issues are all part of the work.

Some of these words are important and need to be understood and used regularly to demonstrate competency and awareness.

Other words are simply jargon that are used in an attempt to demonstrate competence, but in reality end up clogging conversations, meetings, and other forms of communication with extra words.

Here are a few of my "favorites."

Stakeholder - an important term that is used to recognize the people who are interested in certain issues, projects, or organizations. 

Unfortunately, this perfectly good word is so overused that I get hungry when I hear it...

Fork + Knife = Steak Holder

Synergy - a word that is intended to demonstrate the power of working together. However, this too is so overused I find myself wondering....

Who actually goes home at the end of the day and says "we created so much synergy today!"

No one.

Straw Man - a wonderful concept that should ignite a productive brainstorming session on a certain topic, idea or initiative.

However, never in my life, prior to moving to the consulting side of life, did I ever use the term straw man in my corporate roles....the only thing that comes to mind for me is...

The Wizard of Oz.

How About You
Which words do you love to use, but actually kick off an avalanche of eye rolls around the conference room table?

I'd love to hear from you.

No Excuses.