I recently read an article in the Harvard Business Review, Leadership is a Conversation, by Boris Groysberg and Michael Slind. As of June 2012 Boris and Michael had spoken to over 150 people in 100 companies where research participants consistently mentioned their efforts of "having a conversation" or "advancing the conversation" in their organizations.

I agree that Leadership, in part, really is a conversation. And I have also found that leaders who struggle most fail to engage people through conversation. Often times they:

Do you consider Emotional Intelligence -- self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy and social skills -- when interviewing new candidates in your organization? 

How about in the process of identifying future leaders?  

Please join us as we continue our Everything DiSC webinar series in 2013.  On January 16th we will be exploring the Everything DiSC 363 for Leaders profile.

When and where will the webinar be conducted?

In Matthew Kelly's book The Rhythm of Life, he says...
 
"Everything is a Choice. This is life's greatest truth and its hardest lesson. It is a great truth because it reminds us of our power. Not power over others, but the often untapped power to be ourselves and to live the life we have imagined."
 
Kelly goes on to say that it's a hard lesson because it causes us to realize that we have chosen the life we are living right now.
 

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:

From the team here at 5.12 Solutions Consulting Group, we wish you a happy holiday season and health, fulfilment, and prosperity in the new year. 

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.

Just a quick reminder that today is the last day to register for Ignite Leadership Launch. And remember, it is complimentary if you purchase Ignite! on Amazon and present a valid receipt.