Leadership

An MEA alum was trying to apply my two types of mentorship theory to a young, high-po (“potential”) leader, but was frustrated. The alum said to me, “Can you really teach emotional intelligence to someone who doesn’t care about EQ?”

I’ll admit it. I’m a “karmic capitalist.” I believe what goes around, typically, comes around in life and business. The only question is how long it takes. This concept is now in vogue. “Conscious capitalism” has emerged.

Oprah once suggested we “turn our wounds into wisdom.” But one person’s wound may distill fresh insight while another’s might lead to hardened judgment.

While I’d love to know the answer to that question, the more relevant question is, “Who are the three wisest people in your world?” A growing number of companies are starting to track and cultivate wisdom by asking the following question on their employee work climate surveys:

First things first: I was weird. Chip was an all-star. Generous, handsome, smart and ready to open the door for anyone who needed a hand. Second: The real leap in Chip’s search for Wisdom that day at Stanford was going first. Not waiting to be picked, but becoming the picker.

In most companies, institutional wisdom walks out the front door daily, through retirement, layoffs, or ⏤ most often ⏤ when experienced, older workers start to feel irrelevant. A balance sheet can’t measure the loss of these culture-bearers who have more than just the know-how, but also the know-who that often helped the company get to where it is today.

If I had one piece of advice to offer any leader, it’s this simple, but profound question you would pose to each of your direct reports, “How can I support you to do the best work of your life?” We live in worlds our questions create. This thoughtfully-conceived question can illuminate someone’s life path.

It was 1636, the Dutch Golden Age, and the recently introduced and fashionable tulip was all the rage. Prices for bulbs were bubbly...until they weren’t and “Tulip Mania” became the first recorded speculative bubble.

In the last couple of posts, I’ve advocated that editing is a supreme form of prioritization. While true, on occasion, it may also lead you to miss the opportunity staring you in the face.

A friend in her mid-40’s wanted some career advice. She’s developed some impressive leadership wisdom, but also has taken a sojourn to pursue passions the past few years. Now she feels it’s time to start making money again, only she feels like a square peg in a round hole job market. Her dilemma is a common one.