Stop your leadership and start leading

A recent post on a social networking site asked for examples of leading edge leadership programmes. It got me thinking!

Can the way in which leadership is addressed actually make a difference. In general most organisations have an established programme of development through which everyone is processed. Having completed the programme they are then able to "tick the box". Hey presto leaders have been created; but have they?

If leadership is about attainment, are these people any better able to recognise and respond? If they are, is that as a direct result of the leadership programmes they attended?

Where are today's leaders? I'm not just talking about the people who wear the badge of office or those that have attended the organisations leadership programme. When you look back at these programmes now in the light of some of the most difficult of times can these leaders recognise and respond then lead the way?

I hope so, but as I look at the public news streams forgive me for not holding my breath. There is an absence of response when the light of expectation is shone into the organisations both private and especially public where the greatest response is required. Occasionally, an individual will emerge, most recently a General, hardly ever a politician or more worryingly a senior public sector figure.

Lists of great leaders all show one thing in common. Great leaders all get something done. This something is a recogniseable attainment. It is also not uncommon for those great leaders to have faced substantial risks.

Excuse me for asking; where are our leaders? Are they worrying too much about leadership as they re-read their manuals and not enough about leading in these difficlut times.

Global warming, is it only linked to human CO2 production?

I've watched and read a little on this topic over the last few months, trying to find an unbiased and comprehensive review of the information and evidence. Is it me or is that difficult to find?

I'm left with a few questions:

When direct temperature data is not available, they use proxy data. Commonly tree ring data is quoted. In a hot year trees grow more thus capturing more carbon? So what is the estimated carbon capture increase from this and other vegetation growth?

What is the estimated burden of the combined effect of the forest fires e.g. California and Australia and volcanic activity?

Why do we as a race still support deforestation in key parts of the world?

Does carbon offsetting actually work?

I have several other questions, perhaps you would add yours or indeed any answers you may have.

Where has Mr Peston gone?

From being an almost constant commentator and fixture on our TV screens Mr Peston seems to have disappeared.

I wonder where he is? Surely given the precarious nature of the financial markets and behaviours of our own now publicly owned big banks, there is still much for him to enquire about and comment on?

I wonder what his interviews and comments would make of the recent court ruling on bank charges? How can banks consider it ethical to behave in the way they do regarding customer charges?

Business North West

If you attended this years Business North West networking event I would appreciate your comments. I enjoyed it on the whole and found it on balance helpful. It was well organised and appeared well run. I managed to attend several sessions which were useful. I also met some great contacts which is what it is all about.

Project Management

I'm often asked; "what is the single biggest factor that influences the outcome and likely success of the projects I have been involved with?"

During the workshops, we spend time in the early stages challenging the clarity and understanding that Project Managers have of "exactly what they are expected to achieve".

Tip No. 1.

Throughout the project and certainly from very early on, seek out the interpretation and meaning that stakeholders and Sponsors have on the objectives and deliverables of your project.

Delegates are always surprised to find how much these can change throughout a project. Ask yourself; on a scale of 1 to 10 where 10 is totally confident. How you feel about the clarity and certainty of your understanding.

If you don't answer 10 straightaway, seek clarity.
If you do answer 10 straightaway, congratulations, seek confirmation.

If you saw the above coming, congratulations, you have the experience to help others get the clarity they need.

What can I expect from Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn ?

The promise is for great things from these social media.

Currently I use Facebook exclusively on a personal level to keep in touch with my social colleagues and friends.

Linked In and Twitter I use at a professional level to create exposure for my business. I've been registered on Linked In for a while but only really started updating it over the last 3 months. The others are much more recent.

I enjoy the experience of adding updates and interacting even though I find some of the questions difficult to engage with.

I wonder what return is probable? Time will tell.

Dare to believe

Fabio Capello plus all the other England squad members interviewed put their success down to the "belief" that had emerged within the squad.