The Lead Yourself First Blog

  Do you possess the essential skills to lead and manage your organization into the future? In order to be a better manager, it is important to prioritize your day-to-day, transactional responsibilities while recognizing that the transformational, visionary aspects of leadership are also key competencies. By taking a strategic approach, you can organize your management […]

What are the core issues facing leadership in 2020 and beyond? Walk into any meeting comprising of senior leaders and the hottest topic of conversation will likely revolve around change, technology, clients and talent. While it is no surprise that these top-of-mind challenges are keeping many leaders up at night, the unrelenting need to constantly […]

Authenticity and integrity are essential character traits that leaders need to develop in order to build trusting relationships with their teams. Research confirms the direct correlation between leaders who demonstrate these traits and employees’ levels of trust, engagement and buy-in. For some leaders, their greatest challenge is determining the level of disclosure and transparency whether […]

  The pace of technological change necessitates a fluid, flexible approach, a shift in thinking and a willingness on the part of leaders to be ready for on-going transformation of their organizations. In order to meet the challenge, leaders need to be prepared to undertake an honest appraisal of their individual style by asking themselves […]

  Not-for-profit organizations are facing similar challenges to many for-profits. There are parallels in terms of failing to attracting new members and resisting new imperatives such as letting go of the old to embrace the new. Many not-for-profits are steadfastly adhering to practices that have been in place for decades. Some are adopting a defeatist […]

There is no question that organizations could mitigate absenteeism and turnover by paying greater attention to the emotional impact of drama. Understandably, many of us have a preference for avoiding difficult conversations without realizing that we are doing a disservice to ourselves. Unfortunately, when the skills, desire and intestinal fortitude needed to take charge of […]

  When you think of the word leadership, what comes to mind? It isn’t surprising that the majority of people associate specific meanings to leadership that include authority, position, seniority, being at the helm of an enterprise, or having ultimate responsibility for bottom line results. However, in order to achieve success as a leader, one […]

  What is the most important act of a transformational leader? Without question it is the leader who can communicate vision with a forward-thinking mindset. My first professional experience with a transformational leader began when I accepted a very challenging position to lead a small advertising sales team in a down economy. Although I had […]

  We’re all familiar with the adage: “Can’t teach an old job new tricks?” Well, I beg to differ for this reason:  If we don’t teach those old dogs new tricks, they simply won’t survive. And if you’re one of those “old dogs”, maybe that’s you as a leader…struggling with the idea of embracing new […]

  In spite of the fact that we are living in a time of unprecedented growth, unprecedented opportunity, limitless potential, it is extraordinary how many leaders are not aware of the importance of giving feedback to this current generation that is looking to grow and looking for opportunity. If we’re not contributing to their professional […]