I must really be getting old! I remember when tornadoes were only meant to happen in Kansas. In past years most of us watched “The Wizard of Oz” and went along with Dorothy on her journey, yet it was just a story, right?
While tornadoes indicate sudden change and danger they were “out there” in pockets of the country. They were meant to be in Kansas, not Connecticut. Well, not until this week anyway.
Got your attention? I hope so. The palindrome for you to watch is an important reminder that when we look with new eyes, the context of the world changes in the blink of our eyes. Read it forwards and then read the same words backwards and see what changes occur inside you.
As I was writing my Elegant Leadership blog about the poor choice of language from Michael Steele, of the Republican Party, I was reminded of a powerful scenario from a Leadership in Action program I led years ago.
There was a group of 24 business people from various organizations who gathered together for a week to understand leadership capabilities from an experiential perspective.
I am so delighted to introduce you to my new blog “Elegant Leadership” that will be posted at http://blog.ceoptions.com/ after the New Year. Since I love to writeI will have a more personal blog at www.sylvialafair.com to include thoughts and ideas about relationships, health, and education, as well as business.
Elegant Leadership will include all my newest research concerning leadership. I will suggest the best books, articles, and unique individuals I can find to help you on the difficult daily journey of being the best leader you can be.
Why did I choose the title “elegant leadership”? I honestly think it chose me. I woke up with the term, like a drum beat, repeating over and over in my head. Maybe I had a dream about it, not sure. All I know is, I love the word “elegant” as it is used in scientific realms. In nature elegant signifies finding the simplest and most precise way of responding.
Lots of buzz about Tiger Woodsand a party girl is coming to the surface after the car crash on Thanksgiving. What does it mean to you and to me? Does it really matter if he is having an affair? Does it matter that he won’t talk to the police? Does it matter that Nike is standing by their guy?
All of this will swirl for a week or two and then fall into that mysterious void where old stories go as new ones emerge. One thing we know is that Tiger is a great golf player. Beyond that what are his virtues? Have we ever voted for him to be an exemplary leader? Do we really all want our kids to be like him? Is it all about money and recognition?
I asked folks to send in stories about those who have helped them personally or who they have encountered who make a difference. Here is a powerful one from Katherine Matson who is a participant in our “Total Leadership Connections Program“.
Katherine is a skilled technology expert who spent years at IBM. She is also an individual who cares about making the world a better place and developing models for user friendly work settings, both technically and relationally.
Every leadership development programshould have a module on burnout; how to avoid it and what to do when yikes, too late, it’s right there in front of you.
Burnout is one of the leading causes of conflict in the workplace. When you are exhausted even the softest squeaky wheel will set your teeth on edge. Burnout causes you to be irritable, unfocused, and less willing to hear others.
Last week there was an article in BNETdiscussing why women are so unhappy. Many good points were covered; yet, that is not what I want to write about today. I have been fascinated by the number (almost 150) by count on Sunday of responses to this article.
Most of the reactions were from women, and an occasional man who also put his thoughts in the commentary section. I began to look for the patternsthat would give some understanding to the angst that is in the atmosphere around the men vs. woman debate that is still going strong.
I must admit, I am a strong advocate of partnership and have not been willing to take a strong stand for or against women being put upon. I have been fortunate in my career to be able to speak up and be heard. I also chose a career that began in psychology that is more welcoming to women that most.
What does it mean for the world thatPresident Obamais receiving the Nobel Peace prize? Maybe, just maybe it means we are in a turn the corner place for deeper thinking. Maybe, just maybe, we can find ways to care about each other rather than continue to set up polarizing, frozen perspectives.
My curiosity is peeked. How will the Rush Limbaughtypes of the world respond to this news? I expect with their same old rhetoric, their same old blaming, judging, and attacking. It is thepattern of communicationthat has garnered them millions of dollars, fame, and a place to talk and talk and talk.
What I do not see in these loud and negative folks is a thought, ever, about conciliation, giving the other side credit, new thinking about how to solve old problems. I listen to them to stay in touch with all perspectives. Often, when I turn off the radio or television I have a sour taste in my mouth, a knot in my stomach. It’s not so much what they say; it’s the anger that is at the core of their commentary.
As I explore the essence ofleadership I hear a similar thought from many of my colleagues that goes like this “Too much retread, too much superficial same old same old”.
So when new ideas that make us really think come along I want to share them with the world. Thus, the video of David Logan, on the faculty of USC, who gives us pause to think about how leaders can help get each of us to a new and more effective place in our ownleadership development. Enjoy!
I must really be getting old! I remember when tornadoes were only meant to happen in Kansas. In past years most of us watched “The Wizard of Oz” and went along with Dorothy on her journey, yet it was just a story, right?
As I was writing my Elegant Leadership blog about the poor choice of language from 
