August 2009

Learning technologies have evolved rapidly in the last twenty years - from laser disks to CD-ROMs to web-based courses to the use of Blogs, Wiki’s, RSS Feeds and Widgets. If used properly these new technologies can be powerful tools for connecting learners to one another and accelerating innovation and knowledge acquisition within the organization. As learning professionals, an important competency is to understand how these newer technologies support learning.

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“I’m just not sure our leadership team is really committed to changing things that really need to be improved here. They seem to be dragging their feet.” These are the words of a frustrated follower, who we will refer to as ‘Joe’, communicated to a colleague. When asked by his colleague what he could do to influence the leadership team to embrace these changes, Joe said “I’m not sure. I haven’t really thought about that since I was waiting for them to lead the way.” After further probing by his colleague and added reflection by Joe, it became clear that there was plenty that Joe could do to ‘influence up’ in this situation. Too often the emphasis is placed on leaders alone without acknowledging the reality that sustained business success can only be produced when ...

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It’s hurricane season again, and many municipalities are preparing for how they will deal with a natural disaster. After Katrina, it became obvious that local government officials must better prepare their leaders and resources in case their city or county is affected. To help mayors and city or county officials, The National League of Cities, in cooperation with the International City/County Management Association is conducting more than 40 emergency training programs across the country called the ‘Crisis Leadership for Local Officials”. The Leadership Training Institute is calling for trainers to help deliver workshops.

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In my most recent blog post, “Are your training suppliers aligned to your needs?”, I addressed one of the most critical mistakes companies make when selecting a training supplier – strategic alignment. But you or your company may have already committed to a long term engagement with a training supplier. After the services began, you then found that the supplier is not meeting your needs. So what do you do?

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Learning offers challenges in any industry, but in the midst of economic difficulties, the financial services sector can be especially beleaguered. Like many other companies, LPL Financial was facing a series of challenges in 2009. Training, happily, offered some unique solutions, and while times are still tight, the high-stakes results are adding up. It’s all about knowing your audience, knowing your options and knowing how to make things happen.

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The Best Practices Of Effective Leaders & Managers As a leader-manager, consultant-coach, and author whose works and services have been used by thousands of other leaders and managers, many years ago it become obvious to me how valuable it would be to provide them with practical, useable guidance about the high impact practices required for their own, others, and their organization’s success. Blessed with the collaboration and brilliance of my co-author, Dr. Drea Zigarmi, fourteen such ‘best’ practices have been identified. We further discuss these in our book, THE LEADER WITHIN, and how to put them into personal action in our program, THE LEADERSHIP BRIDGE: Situational Leadership II® & DISC, that identifies which are common strengths and which need to be developed based on 16 personal style performance patterns.

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Business is starting to see signs of recovery on the horizon. At the global staffing firm Adecco, VP of Talent and Development Rich Thompson is pulling together a game plan to help prepare for a post-recessionary boom. With an attitude that’s part optimism and part preparation, Thompson is coaching his associates and Adecco’s client companies in talent development, helping get the A players ready to take – and keep – the field.

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