I recently read an article in PR Newswire titled Study Shows the Current State of Women in Leadership. The article cited a study by The Women's College of the University of Denver and The White House Project that presented some interesting findings comparing women to their male counterparts:

I was having a discussion recently with a group of participants in a 5.12 Solutions' Executive Coaching and Leadership Development Program here in Denver. We were making the distinction between caring (about someone) and showing interest. One results-oriented participant asked, "Can you care about someone without being interested?" 

Here's my challenge to all leaders in 2013:

WHO will you be?

It's a great time of the year for all of us to reflect on where we've been and where we want to go. The trap that most leaders fall into is that they often reflect on the WHAT and the HOW without considering WHO they are as leaders.  For example, they ask -   WHAT do I want to accomplish this year? WHAT are my goals? And, HOW will I achieve those goals?

I received the following email from a participant in a recent leadership development program.

If I only had one tip or piece of advice to share about leadership, I would say, "Let people know that their contributions matter."

Thanksgiving is an opportunity to be grateful for what you have and to recognize others for the contributions they have made to you, your team and organization.

One of the challenges that senior leaders often have is that they are rewarded and recognized based on the success of their functional area. But, often times, senior leaders are asked to be an engaged member of a leadership team. This requires a shift in an individual leader's attitudes, skills, and perspectives that is difficult for many leaders to make. Which ones apply to you? 

Veteran's Day to me represents the best of what leadership is truly about...

Here are a few exciting leadership training programs we are offering in the Denver and Boulder, Colorado areas. 

We just completed a three-month leadership training and development program with a client in Colorado. During one of our sessions together, the participants identified leadership behaviors and characteristics of leaders in their lives who have made the biggest impact. 

Take a look at see how you stack up. 

In several of my recent team building and leadership development programs, I've noticed a tension between accountability and micromanagement.

On one hand the leader believes he is holding his team members accountable, and on the other hand team members see the leader as micromanaging.