Leadership Skills For Tough Times
- Length: 32:14 minutes (7.71 MB)
- Format: Mono 44kHz 32Kbps (CBR)
This interview with Bonnie Hagemann (CEO of Executive Development Associates) deals with crucial leadership issues. The podcast focuses on the best actions leaders can take to maintain both forward momentum and balance during challenging times. Bonnie also gives a sneak preview of an upcoming report on executive development. Here are just a couple of the highlights from her conversation with Brenda Perkins.
Transparency - The Good and the Bad
There are two kinds of transparency that leaders need to be aware of in their dealings with employees. The first is the good kind. It deals with conveying factual information. Workers need to know what is going on during transitions, reductions in force, and any other critical
changes. This gives people the knowledge they need to make good decisions. A lack of communication in these areas leaves a vacuum that will be quickly filled with rumors and exaggerations. Strong leaders don’t shy away from telling the sometimes difficult truths about the challenges their organization is facing.
However,
there is a point at which sharing can go too far. When those in charge become transparent with their emotional reactions, this creates anxiety. As role models, executives must have the self control to remain calm under pressure. When bad news arrives, employees look to leaders for cues about how to react. It is crucial that those tasked with guiding the organization demonstrate a professional response to every challenge.
This response doesn’t cover just the words that are spoken - body language and other behaviors can be even more telling. Slamming doors, shouting at staff members, or holing up in a corner office is certain to trigger negative responses in others. This creates a domino effect throughout the organization. In contrast, when leaders radiate confidence and self assurance, everyone else starts to relax. This atmosphere of calm creates the ideal environment for short
term problem solving and long term planning.
Upcoming Special Report
EDA’s report on executive development is scheduled for release in August. The research behind this report shows that organizations are focusing on a number of vital leadership issues. This includes the current pressing need to develop new leaders quickly. There are two reasons for this urgency.
First, it is not always possible to retain executives over the long term. They may find a more lucrative opportunity elsewhere, retire, or simply decide to alter their career path. When this happens, it makes sense to have a number of people who are trained and ready to step into
positions of responsibility. This can minimize the negative impact changes in leadership often have on businesses.
Second, as a large portion of the baby boomer generation retires at once, this will cause a significant gap in the number of leaders that are available in the U.S. as a whole. It is critical for organizations to invest in candidates who show high potential. Accelerating their development through training and hands on experience will prepare a new generation of executives to fill vacancies as they occur.
This podcast is full of information on best practices, strategies, and insightful advice. Listen to the entire interview to pick up helpful tips and find out what other companies are doing to enhance their leadership potential for the future.
