Even before the pandemic smashed into all 7.8 billion of us on this planet, there was an emerging buzz about a “new” technique that every leader had to do. As far back as 2015, highly respected business publications like Harvard Business Review, Forbes and Inc. were speaking to the benefits of this magical tool for leaders – and I have been blogging on it since 2013! What is it?
“I’m tired of blogging”
I texted my friend Ingrid Riley, my go-to advisor on all things digital.
“Well stop” she replied in a voice note, her tone strident in its instruction.
So I did. I emailed Silke, who posts my blogs, to let her know I am taking a break from blogging.
But this morning, I woke up and thought that I should let you, my loyal subscribers and readers, know.
The post-lockdown movement back to the office has accelerated, with most organizations planning a return in the fall.
What should leaders be considering?
One of my favourite books on leadership is “A Sense of Urgency” by John Kotter. Kotter speaks to the importance of a true sense of urgency in leading change.
“I need your help in getting my team to engage in deep thinking about our strategy”, Richard (not his real name) said when he asked me to facilitate his annual strategic plan review. A long-time coaching and strategy client, he recognises how drastically our world has changed over the last 18 months.
Leaders read. Why? Because leaders are learners, and reading is a great way to learn.
Warren Buffet reads 500 pages a day; Mark Cuban reads 3 hours a day; Bill Gates reads 50 books a year; Barack Obama, Elon Musk, Tony Robbins are all avid readers.
Why is a coach important?
Coaches provide structure to the enquiry. I learned from facilitation and even further back, from my experience managing manufacturing businesses, about the value of process. In manufacturing, you start with inputs (raw materials) and end with outputs (finished goods).
“Marguerite. I would love to have a call with you about my retirement” emailed my client, “It’s 5 years away but I want to get things in place from now, and I need some guidance”. On the same day of our call, I saw a post on social media of someone I knew announcing her retirement.
What is a business book? What qualifies as a book on leadership? To my mind, it’s any book that brings insight about my work, how I serve my clients and what lessons I can share with them. I have a very eclectic list of business books, to which I have added: “Q: The Autobiography of Quincy Jones”.
This Monday was a public holiday in Canada and many countries in the English-speaking Caribbean. Most people were at home due to the pandemic. In Jamaica, the holiday marks Labour Day, a day on which the entire country focuses on community projects. Not this year. Jamaica was under curfew from 3.00 p.m. Sunday to 5.00 a.m. Tuesday. Everyone stayed home.
The cornerstone of my coaching and leadership development programmes is the crafting of your Personal Leadership Vision. Why do I do this?
Just like you, my clients are already leaders in their organizations, and very accomplished and successful. However, they come to me because they want to do and be more. They want to lead better and more powerfully.
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