The Hidden Cost of Poor Employee Recognition — And What to Do About It
Article Summary: Many organizations are bad at employee recognition, leading to lower engagement, decreased morale, and higher turnover. This article notes the impacts of employee recognition and offers practical approaches for effective employee recognition. +++ Thomas puts in a ton of hard work on a project, including personal sacrifices to get it done on time. The reactions from his colleagues and manager? Crickets. They’re too busy, too caught up in their own bubbles. For Thomas, there’s nothing worse than being taken for granted that way. But it’s par for the course. It’s a common occurrence in organizations near and far.
The Cost of Poor Onboarding (And How to Fix It)
Article Summary: Many organizations do a poor job of onboarding new employees—leaving them frustrated, disengaged, and more likely to leave. Why onboarding matters, and practical tips for how to onboard new hires successfully. +++ Effective onboarding programs are critical for helping new hires feel prepared, connected, and motivated from day one. When it comes to meeting new people, you know that first impressions are essential. They make a big difference in how people view you going forward. The same is true for new employees and their first impressions of your organization. Having a good onboarding program is essential in so
14 Ways to Have Your Team’s Back as a Leader
Article Summary: Many leaders expect loyalty from their teams but fail to reciprocate, leaving employees feeling unsupported and unmotivated. Here are ways to have your team’s back as a leader—building trust and inspiring loyalty along the way. +++ As a leader, you may think you have your people’s backs. You may even tell them you do. But you can only prove it through your actions. By protecting and defending your team, you can show that you care. You can shield them from unfair attacks—even from higher-ups. Do this consistently, and you’ll earn deep trust and lasting loyalty. “If you don’t
How Small Business Owners Can Thrive in Their Life and Work
Article Summary: Running a small business can be overwhelming, with hidden traps that erode your leadership effectiveness and wellbeing. Here we offer ways to overcome common pitfalls and protect your quality of life so you and your business can thrive. +++ Running a small business is like navigating a stormy sea. Constant demands. Gyrating costs. Uncertain cash flow. Putting out fires. Your health and relationships may start to slide. Thriving as a small business owner isn’t just about surviving the chaos. It’s about building a life and work that energize you, sustain your business, and help you lead with clarity
Why David Gergen’s Legacy Matters Now More Than Ever
Article Summary: In these times of polarization and division, we need a call to higher leadership. A tribute to David Gergen’s legacy, featuring his principles and career highlights as well as reflections from prominent leaders on his service and impact. +++ David Gergen’s extraordinary and inspiring career spans public service, journalism, academia, and thought leadership—anchored always in a deep commitment to family, country, and character. He died last week at the age of 83. Born in North Carolina in 1942, David Gergen came of age in a region steeped in civic tradition. He studied history at Yale University, where he
Leaders, You Can’t Do It All Alone
Interview of Don Lombardi, West Metro Fire Chief, by Gregg Vanourek, co-author of Triple Crown Leadership: Building Excellent, Ethical, and Enduring Organizations, for Leadership Jeffco.* +++ Gregg Vanourek I’m honored to be with you, Fire Chief Don Lombardi. Thank you for taking the time to chat with us about your leadership experience, Leadership Jeffco, and your work in the community. Where did you grow up, and what were some of the main influences on you? Don Lombardi I grew up here in the Littleton area, near SouthGlenn Mall. I currently live about a mile from where I grew up, so my little
Helping People Reach Their Potential
Interview of Matthew Malone, President and Chief Operating Officer of Graham Corporation, by Gregg Vanourek, co-author of Triple Crown Leadership: Building Excellent, Ethical, and Enduring Organizations, for Leadership Jeffco.* +++ Gregg Vanourek: Matt, where did you grow up, and who influenced you most during your formative years? And how? Matt Malone: I grew up in Rochester, New York, with two working parents and a younger brother. My parents were both middle-class and believed in working hard. My Dad was at NCR for 35 years. It was a very committed relationship with his career, where there was continual progress. He
Leading through Chaos and Uncertainty
Article Summary: Leaders these days face daunting challenges in navigating chaos and uncertainty while keeping their teams focused and aligned. Practical strategies to help leaders adapt effectively and lead through turbulent times with clarity and confidence. +++ Leading through chaos and uncertainty is challenging for any leader. Rapid change, unexpected disruptions, and pervasive anxiety can shake even the most seasoned leaders. Beyond their normal challenges, leaders today must also contend with tariff turmoil, trade tangles, supply chain scrambles, stock and bond market gyrations, inflation and interest rate instability, and rapid technological, political, and regulatory changes. How are you managing all
Elevating Your Leadership
How can you take your leadership from bad to better? What are the best ways to elevate your leadership? Dr. Barbara Kellerman, Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School’s Center for Public Leadership, is a prominent scholar of bad leadership (including both poor performance and unethical behavior). In her book, Bad Leadership: What It Is, How It Happens, Why It Matters, she categorized bad leadership into seven primary types: incompetent, rigid, intemperate, callous, corrupt, insular, and evil. And in her latest book, Leadership from Bad to Worse: What Happens When Bad Festers, Kellerman examines how and why bad leadership intensifies over
What Followers Can Do about Bad Leaders
Too often, we focus on leaders while neglecting the critical role that followers play in teams, organizations, institutions, and nations. These days, we face major problems with bad leadership, so we’re wise to address what followers can do about bad leaders. In her book, Bad Leadership: What It Is, How It Happens, Why It Matters esteemed leadership scholar Dr. Barbara Kellerman* examines the critical role of followers and shows how they can not only collaborate with bad leadership but sometimes even cause or facilitate it. (When talking about bad leadership, she means ineffective and/or unethical leadership.) More recently, she wrote
BAD Leadership: 7 Types
What is bad leadership? What are its signs? How to know if leaders are good or bad? Esteemed leadership scholar Dr. Barbara Kellerman addressed these questions and more in her book, Bad Leadership: What It Is, How It Happens, Why It Matters. Kellerman has argued that we’ve been naïve to focus too much on good and great leadership. She makes the case that the dark side of leadership isn’t an aberration. It’s common so we need to stop ignoring it and face it head-on. In Bad Leadership, Kellerman identifies seven primary types of bad leadership. It’s valuable to examine how
Why People Fall for Toxic Leaders
Toxic leaders inflict great damage on our organizations, communities, and nations. They draw us in with bold promises and then turn around and wreak havoc. It’s important to understand the phenomenon of toxic leaders, especially why people fall for them. Before diving in, let’s define terms. When something is toxic, that means it’s poisonous and can cause great harm. When it comes to leaders, it involves inflicting lasting damage and maliciously abusing power. A prominent scholar of toxic leadership, Dr. Jean Lipman-Blumen, founder of the Connective Leadership Institute and Professor of Organizational Behavior at the Drucker School of Management at
Great Leaders Prioritize Learning–Why and How
Great leaders prioritize learning because they understand that continuous growth is key to sustained success. Doing so helps them adapt to an ever-changing world while setting an example for their teams. According to Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner in The Leadership Challenge, “…researchers have found a strong relationship between learning and leadership effectiveness. Being able to reflect on your experiences, and subsequently to adjust and engage in new behaviors, is the single best predictor of future success in new and different managerial jobs…. Learning is the master skill.” “The ability to learn is the most important quality a leader can
Unlock the Power of Purpose in Your Work and Leadership
Article Summary: How you can transform your work and leadership with the power of purpose. Excerpts from Gregg Vanourek’s conversation on purposeful leadership and work with best-selling author, Richard Leider, shortly after the release of his new book, The Power of Purpose: To Grow and to Give for Life (4th edition), with David Shapiro.* +++ Gregg Vanourek: Many people, when they’re doing a job search or contemplating a career change, don’t spend enough time vetting the place where they’re going. With the balance of power between workplace and worker, we tend to defer. We’re just trying to get a paycheck. Richard,
3 Things Ethical Leaders Ask and Say
As a leader, you’re probably under a lot of pressure: Hit your targets. Move faster. Motivate your team. Put out fires. Innovate. And all this while maintaining your organization’s reputation and being ethical. What are key things you can do to uphold what we call the “ethics imperative” (doing the right thing, even when it’s costly or hard)? Here are three things ethical leaders ask and say often: Is this a good organization? Would this serve us all well over time? We’re not doing that. We address each in turn below, with examples. 1. Is this a good organization?