Cheryl A. Bachelder's Blog, page 5

Q and A with Walter C. Rakowich

I had the opportunity this month to interview Walter C. Rakowich on the topic of transparency in the leader. Walt’s extensive experience at Prologis, Inc., as director of several educational and philanthropic organizations, and on the Global Leadership Council at Colorado State University made him an excellent choice to talk about this topic.

How important is the notion of transparency in leadership? How do you define it and how do you exhibit it?

It’s more important today than ever. Leade...

To Be or Not To Be . . . Transparent

There is one topic in the book I authored, Dare to Serve, that gets a disproportionate number of comments. It is the section where I tell the readers that I was summarily fired from my position as President, Chief Concept Officer of KFC in the fall of 2003. Readers tell me that they appreciate my candor about this matter – as most would have avoided the topic.

The inclination to “smooth things over” or to avoid the difficult subjects seems to be the norm among high profile leaders today. Our...

Two Keys to Fostering Collaboration

How well do your team leaders and team members collaborate during the workday?

According to the cover story on the January/February 2016 issue of theHarvard Business Review, global organizations have seen a 50 percent increase over the past two decades in collaborative activities. The article notes that the time required for collaboration gets in the way of individual performance. In fact, a small percentage (only 3-5 percent) of employees generate over one third of value-added collaborat...

Interview with Kirk Kinsell, CEO of Loews

Meet Kirk Kinsell, President & CEO of Loews Hotels & Resorts:

Kirk, in your leadership experience, how important is the notion of collaboration in organizations – and how do you define it?

I define collaboration as people – better yet, different groups of people– that work together on a common task or provide significant insight to a challenge. Collaboration amplifies the strength of the organization. It gives a more informed view and broader perspective to make better decisions.Morten Hanse...

Collaboration Lessons From A Jazz Band

In seventh grade, I played piano in my junior high Jazz Band. It was six or seven budding musicians – a sax, a couple horns, a clarinet, a bass, a piano and a drum set – and the band leader was our teacher. Our sound probably fell short of New Orleans quality jazz, but looking back, we were learning a very important leadership lesson. We were learning how to collaborate.

A good jazz band is amazing to watch. Each artist displaying their talent on their instrument. The band leader keeping the...

Cheryl A. Bachelder Interview for Dina Dwyer

Last week I posted my interview of Dina Dwyer on coaching. When I asked her to answer these questions, she said ‘sure, as long as you will answer them too!’” So I did. In this week’s blog, you will find my personal take on the questions that I asked Dina last week. Enjoy!

Did you have a favorite coach or mentor in your career who invested in your development?

My favorite mentor was my father, who I fondly called Daddy Max. First and foremost, my father was my encourager. If I wanted to try...

Dina Dwyer-Owens Interview

Did you have a favorite coach or mentor in your career who invested in your development?

I have so many mentors yet there are two favorites and I call them mom and dad. My father, Don Dwyer, Sr., taught me work ethic. Growing up in the Dwyer household was a job in itself. Along with my brothers and sisters, we literally grew up in the business. And there was no substitute for honest hard work. My father used to give mecassettetapes from some of the best motivational speakers. And listening t...

The Challenge of Developing Great Leaders

I don’t know about you, but I have never figured out the difference between coaching and mentoring when talking about the development of leaders. I’m sure there is a difference – but whether you call it coaching or mentoring – I think developing great leaders is one of the most challenging tasks of a leader. In fact, I suspect that even if we work at it the rest of our days, we will still be looking to improve.

The guest post on my blog last week by Chip Bell proffered this wonderful perspec...

Negotiating the Challenges of Mentoring

Guest post by Chip R. Bell

The word “mentor” comes from The Odyssey, written by the Greek poet Homer. As Odysseus is preparing to go fight the Trojan War, he realizes he is leaving behind his only heir, Telemachus. Since “Telie” (as he was probably known to his buddies) is in junior high, and since wars tended to drag on for years, Odysseus recognizes that Telie needs to be coached on how to “king” while Daddy is off fighting. He hires a trusted family friend named Mentor to be Telie’s tutor...

What to do when the leader loses their mojo . . .

In the Q&A blogs, I answer a question that I have been asked recently by a developing leader. This month the question is:As a leader, what do you do when your passion wanes?

Leadership can be demanding. Leaders can become weary, even exhausted. Passion can evaporate and we plod forward, almost numb to the work at hand.

What to do in that situation?

It will sound similar to that elementary school presentation from the fireman… who said, “if you catch on fire . . . STOP, DROP, ROLL.”

If you lo...