Lolly Daskal's Blog, page 30
December 25, 2023
6 Times Your Leadership Skills are Needed Most
Successful leaders inspire, encourage, build trust, and boost morale. They act as mentors, coaches, and guides to others, empowering employees to reach their full potential. They also create organizational cultures that act as incubators for the next generation of intelligent leaders. Their role goes beyond just managing resources.
The true measure of a leader is their ability to take action in times of need. The following are examples of when their leadership skills are needed the most:
Creating a Clear Purpose and Vision: A clear sense of purpose and vision is crucial for an organization. As a leader, you can craft and communicate a compelling vision of the future that is backed up with clear and measurable objectives. This inspires and motivates your team to achieve great things.
Establishing Core Values and Standards: Setting a clear code of conduct for employees and creating a sense of accountability and responsibility is vital. As a leader, it is important to ensure that everyone knows what is acceptable behavior and what is not, and that all employees are held accountable for their actions. This also helps to foster loyalty and trust within the organization.
Empowering and Engaging Employees: Creating a culture of engagement and empowerment leads to improved performance and productivity. As a leader, it is important to provide opportunities for employees to make their own decisions and to ensure that they have the resources and support they need to do their job.
Being Determined and Decisive: Instilling confidence in your employees and setting a positive example for them to follow is key. As a leader, it is important to be determined and decisive when making decisions, even when they are difficult. They understand the importance of being proactive rather than reactive and that not everyone will agree with their decisions but they make sure that their decisions are always in the best interests of the organization.
Providing Support and Resources: Providing support and resources to achieve goals and being fully invested in their success is essential. As a leader, it is important to be available to help and guide your employees and to take an active role in their development. This helps to create a sense of teamwork and collaboration within the organization.
Fostering a Positive Work Environment: Fostering a positive and productive work environment where employees feel valued and respected is important. As a leader, it is important to be proactive in addressing issues that may be affecting morale, such as poor communication or lack of recognition. This helps to create a culture of confidence and high performance.
The most successful leaders are not just those who hold a position of authority or manage resources effectively, but those who demonstrate true leadership through their actions and behavior. They are the ones who show up when they are needed most, whether it be during a crisis or in the day-to-day operations of the organization. They know when their employees needs them most and they are always ready to lead by example.
Lead From Within: A true successful leader has the confidence to take action, the courage to make tough decisions, and the skills to inspire and guide others toward success, especially when they are needed most.
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#1 N A T I O N A L B E S T S E L L E RThe Leadership Gap
What Gets Between You and Your Greatness
After decades of coaching powerful executives around the world, Lolly Daskal has observed that leaders rise to their positions relying on a specific set of values and traits. But in time, every executive reaches a point when their performance suffers and failure persists. Very few understand why or how to prevent it.
Additional Reading you might enjoy:
The post 6 Times Your Leadership Skills are Needed Most appeared first on Lolly Daskal.
December 22, 2023
4 Obvious Signs Your Leadership Needs a Reboot
Leadership is a vital aspect of any organization, and it is essential for leaders to continuously assess and improve their skills to ensure the success of their team. However, even the best leaders can fall into bad habits or become complacent, leading to a decline in their leadership effectiveness.
Here are four obvious signs that indicate your leadership needs a reboot:
Lack of direction and vision: As a leader, it is essential to have a clear vision for the future and to communicate that vision effectively to your team. Without a clear direction, team members may become disengaged and demotivated. If you find yourself struggling to articulate your goals or if your team seems to be lacking direction, it may be time to reassess your leadership approach.
Decreased team morale and engagement: A successful leader is one who can inspire and motivate their team to achieve their goals. If you notice a decline in team morale and engagement, it may be a sign that your leadership style is no longer resonating with your team. This could be due to a lack of communication, a lack of recognition, or a lack of opportunities for growth and development.
Poor communication and collaboration: Effective communication and collaboration are critical for any team to function well. As a leader, it is your responsibility to create a culture of open communication and to foster a sense of teamwork. If you find that your team is struggling to communicate effectively or if there are conflicts that are not being resolved, it may be a sign that your leadership approach needs a reboot.
A lack of innovation and creativity: As a leader, it is essential to encourage innovation and creativity in your team. A lack of new ideas and a lack of progress can be a sign that your leadership is not fostering an environment that encourages experimentation and risk-taking. If you find that your team is stuck in a rut, it may be time to reassess your leadership approach and find ways to encourage more innovation and creativity.
Leadership is a continuous journey, and it is essential to continuously assess and improve your skills. By being aware of these four obvious signs, you can identify when it is time to reboot your leadership approach.
Lead From Within: The best leaders never stop learning, growing, and asking themselves ‘What can I do to take myself to the next level?
#1 N A T I O N A L B E S T S E L L E RThe Leadership Gap
What Gets Between You and Your Greatness
After decades of coaching powerful executives around the world, Lolly Daskal has observed that leaders rise to their positions relying on a specific set of values and traits. But in time, every executive reaches a point when their performance suffers and failure persists. Very few understand why or how to prevent it.
Additional Reading you might enjoy:
The post 4 Obvious Signs Your Leadership Needs a Reboot appeared first on Lolly Daskal.
4 Obvious Signs Your Leadership Style Needs a Change
As a leader, it’s important to regularly evaluate your performance and identify areas for improvement. If you find yourself stuck in a rut and not making progress, it may be time to make some changes to your leadership style.
Here are the 4 obvious signs your leadership style needs modifications:
You are not achieving the results you want or need. If you are not achieving the results you want or need, it may be time to rethink your leadership approach. This could involve reassessing your goals, strategies, and actions. It could mean you need to identify areas for improvement. Additionally, it may involve seeking feedback from others and incorporating their insights and perspectives. As a result, your leadership will get the transformation it needs and the results will help you achieve greater success.
You are not learning or growing as a leader. If you find that you are not learning or growing as a leader, it may be time for some self-evaluation. This could mean that you are not actively seeking out opportunities for development. Additionally, it could also mean that you are not pushing yourself to learn and grow in your role as a leader. Therefore, failing to develop can limit your effectiveness as a leader, so it’s important to regularly evaluate and address this aspect of your leadership.
Your team is disengaged: If you notice that your team is disengaged, it could be a sign that it’s time for a change in your leadership approach. This might involve reassessing your communication and management strategies. Additionally, it could mean you need to provide more support and resources to help your team thrive. By addressing the issue of team disengagement, you can improve your own leadership style and the morale and productivity of your team.
You are not meeting the expectations of your stakeholders: If you have been receiving feedback that you are not meeting the expectations of your stakeholders, it’s important to take a step back and reevaluate those expectations. By doing so, you can better understand what your stakeholders need and expect from you as a leader, and you can develop solutions that address those needs and expectations. This can help improve your leadership style and the overall success of your organization.
As a leader, it’s important to regularly evaluate your leadership style and make necessary changes in order to continuously improve and become the best leader you can be. There are often signs that your leadership style needs to be adjusted. The best leaders are able to recognize these signs and make the necessary changes.
Lead From Within: By constantly seeking to improve and adapt your leadership style, you can ensure that you are meeting the needs of your team and organization.
#1 N A T I O N A L B E S T S E L L E RThe Leadership Gap
What Gets Between You and Your Greatness
After decades of coaching powerful executives around the world, Lolly Daskal has observed that leaders rise to their positions relying on a specific set of values and traits. But in time, every executive reaches a point when their performance suffers and failure persists. Very few understand why or how to prevent it.
Additional Reading you might enjoy:
The post 4 Obvious Signs Your Leadership Style Needs a Change appeared first on Lolly Daskal.
December 21, 2023
7 Tips for Sharpening Your Leadership Decision-Making Skills
As a leader, the ability to make sound, informed, and beneficial decisions is your fundamental job requirement. You may consider yourself a good decision-maker, but you can always optimize the process further.
Here are seven tips for sharpening your leadership decision-making skills, so you can make better decisions for your organization:
Overcome excessive self-confidence: The best leaders know that overconfidence can be a major hindrance to effective decision-making. Overconfident leaders often fail to realize that they should be less secure in their decision-making. To overcome this issue, it’s important to accept that you may be overconfident and to revisit your decisions from a more logical perspective.
Improve your predictions through objectivity: The most decisive leaders recognize that their ability to predict outcomes plays a crucial role in their decision-making. To make more accurate predictions, leaders should turn to objectivity and access data regarding the typical outcomes of events. By sparing a thought on how likely something is to happen in a certain way in the real world, leaders can distance themselves from subjectivity, which clouds judgment.
Explore alternative options. The most effective leaders realize that even when they feel fairly certain about a decision, it’s important to explore alternative approaches. One way to accomplish this is by designating an antagonist whose mission is to overturn your decision. Antagonists help leaders see their decision in a different light and can lead to more informed decisions.
Become aware of your biases: The most successful leaders know that intuition-based decision-making skills can be a double-edged sword. While relying on intuition is fine up to a point, it’s important to be aware of your personal biases and to keep them in check through self-reflection.
Limit your choices: The best leaders understand that having too many options to consider can be mentally debilitating when making a decision. By limiting your choices to a handful that you can thoroughly analyze and handle, leaders can make more informed decisions and optimize their decision-making abilities.
Leadership relies heavily on the ability to make well-informed and unbiased decisions. By following these seven tips for sharpening your leadership decision-making skills, you can improve your decision-making abilities and make better choices for your organization.
Lead From Within: By turning these tips into a habit, you will find it easier than ever to make better, more informed, and objective decisions.
#1 N A T I O N A L B E S T S E L L E R
The Leadership Gap
What Gets Between You and Your Greatness
After decades of coaching powerful executives around the world, Lolly Daskal has observed that leaders rise to their positions relying on a specific set of values and traits. But in time, every executive reaches a point when their performance suffers and failure persists. Very few understand why or how to prevent it.
Additional Reading you might enjoy:
The post 7 Tips for Sharpening Your Leadership Decision-Making Skills appeared first on Lolly Daskal.
December 20, 2023
Why Every Top Leader Needs a Succession Plan
Succession planning is crucial for any organization, but it is especially important for top leaders. A well-crafted succession plan can ensure a smooth transition of power, minimize disruptions, and preserve the organization’s legacy.
Here are some reasons why every top leader needs a succession plan and what key elements should be included in a successful plan:
The Importance of Continuity: The most effective leaders understand that continuity is essential for the long-term success of an organization. A succession plan can help to ensure that the organization’s mission, values, and goals are carried forward, even if the leadership changes. Additionally, a succession plan can help to mitigate the risks associated with the unexpected departure of a top leader, such as a sudden resignation or illness.
The Development for Talent Development: The successful leaders understand that succession planning is an essential aspect of talent development. A good plan should provide opportunities for employees to gain new skills, take on new responsibilities, and advance their careers. This can help to retain top talent and ensure that the organization has a strong pipeline of future leaders.
The Planning in Risk Management: The most effective leaders realize that succession planning plays a critical role in risk management. A well-crafted plan can help to minimize disruptions and ensure that the organization is prepared to handle unexpected events, such as the loss of a key leader or a major change in the business environment. This can help to protect the organization’s reputation and preserve its long-term viability.
The Need for a Clear Succession Plan: The best leaders recognize that a clear succession plan is vital for the organization’s future. A well-crafted plan should identify specific individuals who are ready and able to step into leadership roles, as well as the steps that need to be taken to prepare them for those roles. Additionally, a clear succession plan can help to align the organization’s goals and objectives with the development of its future leaders.
Top leaders know that succession planning is essential for the long-term success of an organization. A well-crafted plan can help to ensure continuity, minimize disruptions, and protect the organization’s legacy. Additionally, a good plan can provide opportunities for talent development and help to manage risks.
Lead From Within: Every top leader should take the time to develop a comprehensive succession plan that will serve the organization well into the future.
#1 N A T I O N A L B E S T S E L L E R
The Leadership Gap
What Gets Between You and Your Greatness
After decades of coaching powerful executives around the world, Lolly Daskal has observed that leaders rise to their positions relying on a specific set of values and traits. But in time, every executive reaches a point when their performance suffers and failure persists. Very few understand why or how to prevent it.
Additional Reading you might enjoy:
The post Why Every Top Leader Needs a Succession Plan appeared first on Lolly Daskal.
December 19, 2023
Communication Matters: How to Effectively Talk to Your Team
Effective communication is the key to running a successful and profitable business with minimal drama. As a leader, understanding your communication style and the styles of those around you is crucial for building trust and creating a culture of talking and listening within your team.
We will explore the four main types of communication styles: passive, aggressive, passive aggressive, and assertive. By understanding these styles, you can improve on how to effectively talk to your team.
Passive communication: As a leader, having a passive communication style is characterized by having a neutral attitude and a lack of strong opinions. As a passive communicators you may avoid confrontation and defer to others in decision-making. However, this style of communication can be frustrating for team members and lead to confusion and resentment. Passive communicators may need to work on expressing their thoughts and needs more clearly.
Passive aggressive communication: As a leader, having a passive aggressive communication style is characterized by having indirect or subtle hostility. As a passive aggressive communicator you may make snide comments or use sarcasm. This style of communication can be confusing and lead to tension in relationships. Passive aggressive communicators should work on expressing their feelings directly and finding a more assertive way of communicating.
Aggressive communication: As a leader, having an aggressive communication style, means you communicate forcefully and domineering. As an aggressive communicator you may interrupt others, speak loudly, and use threatening language. This style of communication can be intimidating and lead to conflict. Aggressive communicators should work on listening to others and finding common ground.
Assertive communication: As a leader, having an assertive communication style is characterized by having clear and direct communication. As an assertive communicator you express your thoughts and needs clearly and listen to the thoughts and needs of others. This style of communication can lead to effective problem-solving and positive relationships.
By understanding these styles, you can build trust, create a culture of listening, and make your team feel heard and open to sharing.
Lead From Within: Successful leadership is a way of thinking, a way of acting, and most importantly a way of communicating effectively.
#1 N A T I O N A L B E S T S E L L E RThe Leadership Gap
What Gets Between You and Your Greatness
After decades of coaching powerful executives around the world, Lolly Daskal has observed that leaders rise to their positions relying on a specific set of values and traits. But in time, every executive reaches a point when their performance suffers and failure persists. Very few understand why or how to prevent it.
Additional Reading you might enjoy:
The post Communication Matters: How to Effectively Talk to Your Team appeared first on Lolly Daskal.
December 18, 2023
Why All Business Leaders Should Avoid New Year’s Resolutions
As the clock ticks down to the new year, my clients flood me with their grand plans for change. Yet year after year, these resolutions fall by the wayside. As an executive leadership coach, I firmly believe that all business leaders should avoid the trap of New Year’s resolutions altogether. The truth is, these well-intentioned promises are too often nothing more than empty words that fail to deliver real results. But there’s a better way.
Instead of making half-hearted commitments and empty promises, successful leaders should take a different approach, this is what I believe works better:
Be strategizing continuously: Year end solutions, happen once a year, but the best leaders are continuously planning and shifting their goals and strategies throughout the year, rather than just making a year-end resolution.
Be decisive repeatably: The best leaders understand that making decisions is essential to success, and they make these decisions consistently throughout the year, not just at year-end.
Be adaptable consistently: Some business leaders feel pressure to make big, monumental decisions at year-end, but this can cause anxiety for employees. Instead, successful leaders are always in flux, always pivoting, and always adapting throughout the year, not just at year-end.
Be on a development plan regularly: Instead of making promises of who they want to be for the next year, leaders should focus on yearly, monthly, and even daily development plans. This ensures that they are constantly working to improve themselves, rather than just making a resolution at year-end.
Instead of making half-hearted commitments and empty promises, successful leaders should focus on creating a consistent plan for growth and development, making swift and decisive decisions, and embracing a mindset of constant adaptability. These are the hallmarks of true leadership, and they require more than a single resolution at year-end to achieve.
Lead From Within: As the new year approaches, I urge business leaders everywhere to reject the allure of New Year’s resolutions. Instead, commit to a year-round strategy of growth and development, and watch as true success emerges.
#1 N A T I O N A L B E S T S E L L E R
The Leadership Gap
What Gets Between You and Your Greatness
After decades of coaching powerful executives around the world, Lolly Daskal has observed that leaders rise to their positions relying on a specific set of values and traits. But in time, every executive reaches a point when their performance suffers and failure persists. Very few understand why or how to prevent it.
Additional Reading you might enjoy:
The post Why All Business Leaders Should Avoid New Year’s Resolutions appeared first on Lolly Daskal.
December 15, 2023
The Biggest Drawbacks of Being a Successful Leader
Being a successful leader comes with its own set of unique challenges. While many people may see leadership as a coveted position, it’s important to understand that it’s not all glamorous and comes with its own set of drawbacks.
As a executive leadership coach I have seen the following to be the biggest drawbacks for the leader’s that I coach:
Power dynamics: As a leader, the power dynamics within an organization can be challenging for anyone to navigate. Therefore, when it comes to your leadership, you must learn to balance the needs of your employees with the needs of the company, all the while maintaining a sense of fairness and impartiality.
Inability to be wrong: As a leader, your decisions and actions are constantly under scrutiny, and it can be difficult to admit when you’ve made a mistake. This can lead to a fear of failure and an unwillingness to take risks. Therefore, in terms of your leadership, you must practice humility and develop a growth mindset that allows you to learn from your mistakes and failures.
Duality of vulnerability and strong: Leaders are expected to show a strong and confident exterior, but at the same time, they must also be vulnerable and open to feedback. This can be a difficult balance to strike. Therefore, in regards to your leadership, you should develop emotional intelligence and be aware of your own emotions and how they affect the people around you.
Loneliness and isolation: Leaders tend to be lonely, isolated, and cut off from support. While they give their employees support and inspiration, they can’t turn to anyone for these precious commodities. Therefore, when it comes to leading, you should cultivate a supportive network of peers and mentors that you can turn to for guidance and support.
Existence of doubt: Leaders are constantly second-guessing themselves and their decisions, leading to feelings of self-doubt and uncertainty. Therefore, when it comes to your leadership, you should develop self-awareness and learn to trust your own judgment and instincts.
Leadership success hides many pitfalls and challenges and it comes with many drawbacks. But with the help of leadership coaching, leaders can address these challenges and overcome them. It is crucial for leaders to understand that being a leader is not only about achieving success but also about continuous improvement and self-awareness.
Lead From Within: Leadership comes with drawbacks, that’s a given, it’s what we do about those drawbacks that makes some leaders stand out more than others.
#1 N A T I O N A L B E S T S E L L E R
The Leadership Gap
What Gets Between You and Your Greatness
After decades of coaching powerful executives around the world, Lolly Daskal has observed that leaders rise to their positions relying on a specific set of values and traits. But in time, every executive reaches a point when their performance suffers and failure persists. Very few understand why or how to prevent it.
Additional Reading you might enjoy:
The post The Biggest Drawbacks of Being a Successful Leader appeared first on Lolly Daskal.
December 14, 2023
What To Do When Your Leader Is Stuck In The Weeds
It can be difficult for employees when their leader is stuck in the weeds. Being stuck in the weeds refers to a situation where a leader is overwhelmed by the details and unable to see the bigger picture or make strategic decisions.
As an executive leadership coach, I know it’s a very common experience for an employee to experience a leader who is stuck in the weeds. Here are four ways to cope with the situation:
Communicate with respect: Effective communication is key when dealing with a leader who is stuck in the weeds. Speak to your leader and express your concerns. Share your ideas and suggestions on how to overcome the current situation. Be honest, but also be respectful and understanding of your leader’s position. When you communicate clearly, you can help your leader to see the bigger picture and make decisions that will benefit the team.
Take initiative: When your leader is stuck in the weeds, it’s important to take initiative and take on more responsibility. This will help to alleviate some of the pressure on your leader and allow them to focus on more important tasks. Take ownership of your work and make decisions that will help to move the team forward.
Stay focused: It’s easy to get caught up in the frustration and negativity when your leader is stuck in the weeds. However, it’s important to stay focused on your tasks and stay positive. This will help to keep the team motivated and productive. Remember to set clear goals and objectives and stay on track.
Seek support: Dealing with a leader who is stuck in the weeds can be challenging, and it’s important to seek support when needed. Talk to your colleagues, or seek guidance from a executive coach. This will help you to stay positive and motivated, and will also give you valuable perspective on the situation.
Being overwhelmed by the details and unable to see the bigger picture is a common challenge faced by many leaders, and it can create difficulties for employees. However, by maintaining a positive attitude and keeping a clear focus on the goals and objectives, employees can improve the situation.
Lead From Within: Being stuck in the weeds is common for leaders, but taking positive action can help overcome it and improve effectiveness.
#1 N A T I O N A L B E S T S E L L E R
The Leadership Gap
What Gets Between You and Your Greatness
After decades of coaching powerful executives around the world, Lolly Daskal has observed that leaders rise to their positions relying on a specific set of values and traits. But in time, every executive reaches a point when their performance suffers and failure persists. Very few understand why or how to prevent it.
Additional Reading you might enjoy:
The post What To Do When Your Leader Is Stuck In The Weeds appeared first on Lolly Daskal.
Why AI Demands a New Ethical Approach for Leaders
In an increasingly digitized world, artificial intelligence (AI) has become an integral part of business operations, revolutionizing efficiencies and capabilities across industries, However, its incorporation presents an evolving ethical landscape that leaders must navigate diligently. Here’s why AI demands a fresh ethical perspective from today’s leaders:
Reassessing accountability: AI algorithms may perform tasks autonomously, but their actions ultimately fall under human governance. As a leader, you are responsible for these actions, even if they are carried out by a machine. A new sense of accountability is essential for leading ethically in an AI-infused world.
Transparency and fairness: AI is capable of incredible analysis, but it’s also susceptible to biases that can compromise fairness. Leaders must ensure that AI systems are both transparent and unbiased, requiring continuous ethical oversight to maintain trust among stakeholders.
Privacy concerns: The AI algorithms that process big data can also intrude on individual privacy. As a leader, you are tasked with safeguarding sensitive information, ensuring it’s used ethically and securely to maintain public trust.
Revising the ethical playbook: The introduction of AI challenges many traditional ethical norms, necessitating a complete revision of the ethical playbook for leaders. Existing standards might no longer suffice, and new guidelines that specifically address AI ethics need to be established.
Societal Impacts: AI has the potential to reshape society in both positive and negative ways. Ethical leaders must take into account the societal repercussions of AI use, from employment opportunities to environmental impacts.
The evolution of AI is not just a technological phenomenon; it’s an ethical awakening for leaders. The challenges posed by AI compel leaders to adapt, evolve, and adopt a renewed ethical stance.
Lead from Within: The measure of great leadership in the age of AI is not just about embracing the technology; it’s about pioneering an ethical course that steers humanity toward a better future.
#1 N A T I O N A L B E S T S E L L E R
The Leadership Gap
What Gets Between You and Your Greatness
After decades of coaching powerful executives around the world, Lolly Daskal has observed that leaders rise to their positions relying on a specific set of values and traits. But in time, every executive reaches a point when their performance suffers and failure persists. Very few understand why or how to prevent it.
Additional Reading you might enjoy:
12 Successful Leadership Principles That Never Grow OldA Leadership Manifesto: A Guide To Greatness 11 Powerful Ways Artificial Intelligence Is Changing Leadership Forever 12 of The Most Common Lies Leaders Tell Themselves How the Best Leaders Help their Remote Employees Thrive The One Quality Every Leader Needs To SucceedThe Deception Trap of LeadershipThe post Why AI Demands a New Ethical Approach for Leaders appeared first on Lolly Daskal.
