What we usually consider to be ‘elusive’ group dynamics that characterize high-performing teams, such as; energy, creativity, and shared commitment – are actually observable, quantifiable, and measurable qualities. And as such, teams can be taught how to strengthen them. The key lies in understanding the patterns of communication associated with productive teams, which include; energy, […]
Read More… from Communication and the Science of Great Team Building
Gaining and retaining influence will forever be a vital component of leadership and this Idea shows that listening has a positive association with influence, over and above verbal expression. "We can process language at 300 to 500 words per minute; however, most people speak around 100 words per minute. The extra capacity makes it difficult […]
It is universally acknowledged; we hear our most successful leaders espouse its importance all the time – but ‘trust’ in an organization can be infuriatingly intangible, and a slippery thing to quantify indeed. What we do know is that trust is vital to success – while on the other hand distrust can be disastrous; leading […]
Read More… from Creating a Culture of Trust in Organizations
Following an economic crisis, organizations often find themselves needing to do more with less employees. Is this possible? How can organizations construct a flexible workforce of highly-skilled workers that supplement existing full-time staff with the same level of commitment? There is a spectrum of different types of employment relationships that exist, from traditional full-time jobs […]
What is ‘shared leadership’? How is it fostered and developed, and what insight can be taken from musicians about this phenomena? This Idea looks at the performance practices of musicians and the leadership challenges that arise in this field to explain why a single responsible leader within a hierarchical system can lead to problems within […]
Read More… from Ensemble Leadership: Lessons from the Orchestra Pit
Change is frequently experienced as a risky transition in today’s organizations. The impact of the failure of a change initiative can be high; as such, managers and leaders have to get to grips with what change is about, and learn how to manage it successfully. Recognizing this and drawing on research by members of Cranfield […]
Read More… from Establishing Sustainable Change in Organizations
The image of an effective leader has traditionally embodied an archetypal male; displaying traits such as assertiveness, competitiveness and self-confidence. The problem for women who seek to project those traits is that people judge men and women very differently. There exists a ‘dual standard’. We have different ‘thresholds’ for these traits, and crossing them can […]
Open communication is extremely important; it must exist for both employee input and successful team performance to take place. But does leader power diminish open communication? Through three studies, the paper attached shows that; yes, increased leader power can have a negative and damaging effect on team performance within an organization. Further findings including the […]
Read More… from Rendered Speechless: Too Powerful Leaders Stymie the Team
How are managers today using social media tools and how important are those tools becoming to their organizations? In collaboration with Deloitte, MIT Sloan Management Review conducted a survey of nearly 3,500 executives to gain insight into, and a richer understanding of, how organizations are leveraging social media and social networks. They define “social business” […]
Do managers at all levels routinely – and unwittingly – undermine the meaningfulness of work for their direct subordinates through everyday words and actions? Of all the events that can deeply engage people in their jobs, the single most important is making progress in meaningful work. Yet actions such as dismissing the importance of subordinates’ […]
Read More… from Managers Who Undermine the Meaningfulness of Work
