Observe. Learn. Apply. I've used this mantra to help focus on finding the learning opportunity buried in this unfortunate circumstance.

[Today’s Tuesday Reading is by Dr. David Sweetman, MOR Associates Leadership Coach and Consultant.  David may be reached at david@morassociates.com.]

In my experience coaching, teaching, and leading, one of the greatest limits to our potential are self-defeating assumptions.  In the words of the great automotive pioneer Henry Ford, Whether you think you can, or you think you can't--you're right.

What's Next?

[Today’s Tuesday Reading is from Jim Bruce, Senior Fellow and Executive Coach at MOR Associates.  He previously was Professor of Electrical Engineering, and Vice President for Information Systems and CIO at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA.]
 

“Humble listening" is among the top four characteristics of leader.¹  —  Jeff Immelt, Former Chairman and CEO, GE.
 
“If there is any one secret of success, it lies in the ability to get the other person’s point of view and see things from that person’s angle as well as from your own.”^2,3     —   Henry Ford.
 

… Which do I need?

I’ve been working on a rollout plan for a new major application. And, before I present that plan to the clients, I need to give the presentation a test run. I can ask my test audience to give me feedback or I could ask them for advice. What do I do? Does it make a difference?
 

Leaders must be men and women who influence others to enable them to become more effective. In her essay Five Principles to Follow If You Want to Influence Others,¹ Amy Glass, writes “No matter your role, influence is key to solving problems and making things happen.

Kids ask questions in order to learn about the world in which they live. And, sometimes they will answer their own question to show-off what they know – for example, my great-granddaughter holding out a stuffed rabbit and saying “rabbit” – and sometimes they want you to tell them. As they grow older, their questions may give you an opportunity to propose additional questions they might be asking.
 

Today’s Tuesday Reading is an essay by John E. Hill, Instructional Technologies Specialist at Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. His essay first appeared as a leaders program reflection earlier this year. [John may be reached at  <jeh24@cornell.edu>.]
 
 

Today’s Tuesday Reading is an essay by Frances Haies, Assistant Director, Office of Information Technology, Project Management Office, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. Her essay first appeared as a leaders program reflection last fall. [Frances may be reached at <haiesfa@oit.rutgers.edu>.]
 
 

Even with good intent ‘receiving’ participants upon their return can be extremely challenging. In an effort to provide some practical advice we interviewed Laura Patterson, recently retired CIO of the University of Michigan, and Casey Gordon, the CIO at the College of St Benedict and Saint John’s University in Minnesota.