May 2021 Leadership Development Carnival

Welcome to the May 2021 Leadership Development Carnival! We’re excited to share posts from leadership experts from around the globe on the topics of communication, development, engagement, motivation, productivity, team building, and more.

Communication

John Stoker of DialogueWORKS contributed Are Your Assumptions Getting the Best of You? John writes: "Sometimes we are consciously unconscious about what we are thinking. When this happens, sometimes our thinking gets the best of us. Here are some helpful questions that will help you challenge your thinking. " Connect with John on Twitter at @JohnRStoker.

Dana Theus of InPower Coaching writes Feedback Coaching: How to Get Results with “Tough Love”. Dana explains: “Tough love is also a critical element in giving the kind of feedback intended to coach someone to greater success. Coaching feedback doesn’t tell someone how to do something, but creates a safe space within which they can try, fail and succeed to figure it out themselves.” Find Dana on Twitter at @DanaTheus.

Sean Glaze of Great Results Team Building shared The 3 Most Important Traits Teams Want in a New Manager. Sean writes: “As a new Manager, you may be excited about the impact you can have on improving the team culture you are responsible for… Whether you are experienced and taking over a new team, or new to the position of manager, preparing to lead a group of coworkers for the very first time demands more than just focusing on KPIs and defined job responsibilities.” Find Sean on Twitter at @leadyourteam.

Jennifer Nash writes How to get your voice heard when others want to quiet it. Jennifer explains: “When others don’t want to hear your voice or acknowledge what you have to say, it can make you feel unheard, unvalued, and unappreciated. In the workplace, this manifests as low engagement, high attrition, bullying, toxic culture, harassment, lack of psychological safety and stifled communication. Take a look at these practical suggestions for counteracting these negative behaviors and getting your voice heard.” Follow Jennifer on Twitter at @NashCoaching.

Marcia Reynolds of Covisioning Transformational Leadership provided Stop Saying Stupid Things. Marcia shares: "When life disruptions and irritations cause frustration and rage, you say stupid things. Learn 5 ways to manage your mind to better control your mouth." Connect with Marcia on Twitter at @marciareynolds.

Diana Peterson-More shared Essential Tips for Consequential Communication. Diana explains: "Communicating intentionally, accurately, and clearly, while avoiding miscommunications is vital. This blog focuses on three essential tips that can help you get the best and most out of others: The Two-for-One Rule: Two positives for every “aw shucks,” or negatives; The Power of Positive Feedback; and, Managing the Sting of Emotion in the Workplace: It’s not if, rather how we handle mistakes." Find Diana on Twitter at @DianaPMAuthor.

David Grossman of The Grossman Group provided Open-Ended Questions Enhance Employee Communication. David shares: "Good employee communication is vital for the success of any business and leader. Every time you are in front of an employee, you have an opportunity to create dialogue and increase engagement. Asking open-ended questions is a simple way to do that. Here are 11 common open-ended questions to get you started." Follow David on Twitter at @ThoughtPartner.

Productivity

Marcella Bremer of Positive Culture contributed Humanocracy: upgrade your organization and culture. Marcella considers: "Let’s create organizations as inspired and ingenious as the human beings inside them. Hamel and Zanini’s book Humanocracy looks at the Bureaucratic Mass Index of organizations - and how to upgrade them to Humanocracies with freedom and responsibility" Follow Marcella on Twitter at @MarcellaBremer.

Stephanie Skryzowski of 100 Degrees Consulting provided Four Tips to Manage Your Email. Stephanie shares: "Stephanie gives 4 practical tips on how to reduce the stress, anxiety, and overwhelm of an overflowing email box. These are simple and doable tips to transform your inbox. " Connect with Stephanie here.

Neal Burgis of Successful Solutions contributed Taking Persistent and Consistent Action. Neal explains: "Stepping out of the small comfort zone you’ve been in needs you to take action in order to move your business to grow and be more successful. Taking persistent and consistent action requires you to be confident, courageous, and know what direction you want to take your business. " Follow Neal on Twitter at @exec_solutions.

Ken Downer of Rapid Start Leadership provided Bosses and Burnout: Three Things Leaders Should Know. Ken shares: “Burnout on the job is costing us more than we think; here are three things we need to know to protect our teammates and minimize the damage.” Follow Ken on Twitter @RapidStartLdr.

Development

John Spence shared What is your business philosophy. John writes: "Every business person has a "philosophy" for how they think a company should be run. Their unique philosophy determines how they view employees, competition, customers, and other critical business issues." Find John on Twitter at @AwesomelySimple.

Angela Hummel of Angela Hummel Consulting writes Leading Average Performers. Angela shares: “We all have average performers on our teams, but a unique leadership skill set is needed to maximize individual and team success. Average performance shows up in every organization, on every team, and for every leader. Growth is individual and aspiring to greatness, even within a current role, should be everyone’s mindset. ” Follow Angela on Twitter at @AngelaJHummel.

Julie Winkle Giulioni shared What Does a Career Look Like Today? Julie explains: "Because the old pictures and expectations of career development and progression — that predictable climb up the corporate ladder — are no longer valid, it's time for organizations and individuals to update their definitions and tap the enormous opportunities for growth that exists all around us." Follow Julie on Twitter at @julie_wg.

Ken Byler of Higher Ground Consulting Group contributed Scapegoating and Leadership. Ken writes: "Why would any leader want to play the victim or create victims? How does feeling sorry for ourselves and blaming others become a default position for so many? The simple answer? It’s human nature and it works – at least for a time." Connect with Ken on Twitter at @kenbyler.

Lisa Kohn of Chatsworth Consulting Group shared How to get around the lies that block your leadership – and life. Lisa shares: "That it is possible to see beyond – and get beyond – lies, false-truths, and mind-caging rules, and that it’s the surest way to live – and lead – most Thoughtfully." Connect with Lisa on Twitter at @ThoughtfulLdrs.

Linda Fisher Thornton of LeadinginContext contributed Ethical Thinking: Sifting For Values. Linda shares: “While we may think about ethics from time to time, ethical thinking is different. It is the process of actively considering how our choices align with ethical principles, and how those choices could impact our constituents.” Find Linda on Twitter at @leadingincontxt.

Jon Lokhorst of Lokhorst Consulting shared Build Your Leadership Capacity on a Strong Personal Foundation. Jon explains: “You can’t build a skyscraper on a foundation meant for a garage. The foundation will crumble, and the building will collapse. The same is true for your leadership career. Your capacity for growth and advancement is only sustainable if you build on a sound foundation.” Find Jon on Twitter at @jonlokhorst.

Creativity/Inspiration

Eileen McDargh contributed A Name Tag for Kindness. Eileen explains: "Eileen reminisces about an airline trip taken on her 30th wedding anniversary where she met the amazing Beth. As an airline staff member Beth wears a name tag that says “Beth” but it also says “committed to kindness”. Eileen wonders if a name tag has the possibility of changing those who wear it?" Connect with Eileen on Twitter at @macdarling.

Mary Ila Ward of Horizon Point Consulting shared 4 Ways to Cultivate Openness to Experience to Enhance Innovation and Leadership. Mary writes: "Novel experiences allow us to reflect on new norms and ways of being that could be relevant to our world and open us to broader possibilities. You don’t have to travel around the world to be open to and experience something new and for the journey to be fun. " Find Mary on Twitter at @maryilaward.

Engagement

Jennifer V. Miller writes Leaders Who Micro-Manage Are Over-Functioning. Jennifer summarizes: “Are you too involved in your team's day-to-day work? Here are six clues to help you decide if you're micromanaging your employees.” Find Jennifer on Twitter at @JenniferVMiller.

Joel Garfinkle of the Career Advancement Blog shared Build Strong Working Relationships with Executives at Work. Joel summarizes: "Your career depends on the relationships you build with top executives in your company. Getting to know them will propel your career forward. When they understand your contributions to the organization, they will want to see you succeed." Find Joel on Twitter at @JoelGarfinkle.

And More...

Priscilla Archangel of Archangel & Associates provided Help! I'm a New Leader: Fundamentals for Success. Priscilla writes: "Learn three key steps for new leaders to maximize team results, along with five truths about leading teams." Follow Priscilla on Twitter at @PrisArchangel. 

Jim Taggart of Changing Winds shared Five Leadership Practices to Navigate Global Turbulence. Jim considers: "Take time to engage in periodic Reflection, essential to building your personal leadership and effectiveness. Doing so will enhance your clarity of the situation, help you to stay focused and strengthen your adaptability." Follow Jim on Twitter at @JlcTaggart.

Wally Bock of Three Star Leadership provided What Kind of Leader Are You: Superhero or Human Being? Wally explains: "There are many benefits when you lead like a human being and pain and frustration when you try to be a superhero. It’s your choice. " Connect with Wally on Twitter at @WallyBock.

Bill Treasurer of Giant Leap Consulting contributed Use Courage—Not Fear—To Manage Your Team. Bill explains: "Managers fill people with fear to motivate them, often for reasons of efficiency and immaturity. On the other hand, taking time to lead with courage enhances the team and the company " Follow Bill on Twitter at @btreasurer.

Liz Weber of Weber Business Services provided Think About Impact and Outcomes Before You Plan Your Strategic Planning Retreat. Liz writes: "Choosing the right strategic planning consultant and having the discussions that need to be held with your board will impact your organization profoundly for the next several years. Consider these items before finalizing any decisions or plans:" Connect with Liz on Twitter at @lizwebercmc.

Thank you to everyone who submitted articles for this month's carnival! If you would like to be added to the distribution list for submission calls, please fill out this form and we'll be happy to add you to the list.