Blog

Category: metaphor

difference between management and leadership

Thermometer vs thermostat – the difference between management and leadership

One question I get asked a lot is “What is the difference between management and leadership?”  Which is not surprising, given that my leadership development consultancy is called “Turning Managers Into Leaders.”  If any of you have attended my live

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A lesson in collaboration from hermit crabs

I originally penned this post approximately two years ago … but a recent conversation about “collaboration” with a client leader suggested that it is worth a re-read. Collaboration is an important component of inspired and energized workplaces.  And as a

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facilitator

The leader as a facilitator – are you a lifeboat or a lighthouse?

As a manager, your job is to get things done.  But as a leader, your mission now becomes to get things done through other people.  And many times, what that really means is that you have to be a facilitator

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adversity

An ageless folktale about dealing with adversity

Every so often, a conversation with an elderly relative reminds me of a story from Indian folklore that I heard when I was a child.  And I was reminded once again of another story, this time on the topic of

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big picture

Details and the big picture — effective leadership requires a focus on both!

Exceptional leadership requires a dual focus — the ability to visualize the big picture and look ahead, and the skill to examine the details of the present.  A great metaphor is the value of both microscopes and telescopes. Scientific study

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take action

Leaders, take action to “weed your garden”

I often blog about how it’s important for leaders to take action, even if it may not be comfortable or easy.  My continued musings about my little garden on my terrace led to yet another metaphor that illustrates this essential

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