Lastly: the disease of extravagance and self-exhibition. This happens when a leader turns his or her service into power, and uses that power for material gain, or to acquire even greater power. This is the disease of persons who insatiably try to accumulate power and to this end are ready to slander, defame and discredit others;…
Navigating turbulent waters—with a smile—for a living: Happy International HR Day!
This morning was sunny, windy, and chilly. I woke up early, took in my daily moment of awe from the Danube, and then—yes, I admit it—checked my phone. A habit I’m still working on. What caught my eye was a cheerful post from a friend: “Happy International HR Day!”Wait… there’s an International HR Day? Curious,…
The future YOU: words of wisdom from Pope Francis
Lately, I have been thinking a lot about leadership, its toll, impact, joy, and implied responsibilities. Then, for those weird things I cannot explain but have something to do with the power of algorithms, on my screen, I see images of Pope Francis’ funeral. More than a quarter of a million people—many of them young…
Letter to Myself: Open in case of job emergency
The Jura mountains are capped with snow. I’ve been a week at their feet, but it is only when I am about to leave that I see -and enjoy- their majestic view behind an airport’s window. It has been a long week. Emotions ran high, all of them! Anxiety, anger, fear, generosity, selfishness, compassion, envy,…
Are you vaccinated against the disease of “Closed Circles”?
The disease of closed circles, where belonging to a clique becomes more powerful than our shared identity. This disease too always begins with good intentions, but with the passing of time it enslaves its members and becomes a cancer which threatens the harmony of the organization and causes immense evil, especially to those we treat…
Are you vaccinated against the ‘hoarding’ disease?
The disease of hoarding. This occurs when a leader tries to fill an existential void in his or her heart by accumulating material goods, not out of need but only in order to feel secure. The fact is that we are not able to bring material goods with us when we leave this life, since “the…
Are you vaccinated against the ‘downcast face’ disease?
The disease of a downcast face. You see this disease in those glum and dour persons who think that to be serious you have to put on a face of melancholy and severity and treat others—especially those we consider our inferiors—with rigor, brusqueness, and arrogance. In fact, a show of severity and sterile pessimism are frequently…
Are you vaccinated against the disease of indifference to others?
The disease of indifference to others. This is where each leader thinks only of himself or herself, and loses the sincerity and warmth of [genuine] human relationships. This can happen in many ways: When the most knowledgeable person does not put that knowledge at the service of less knowledgeable colleagues, when you learn something and then…
Are you vaccinated against the ‘disease’ of idolizing superiors?
The disease of idolizing superiors. This is the disease of those who court their superiors in the hope of gaining their favor. They are victims of careerism and opportunism; they honor persons [rather than the larger mission of the organization]. They think only of what they can get and not of what they should give; small-minded…
Are you vaccinated against the disease of gossiping, grumbling, and back-biting?
The disease of gossiping, grumbling, and back-biting. This is a grave illness which begins simply, perhaps even in small talk, and takes over a person, making him become a “sower of weeds” and in many cases, a cold-blooded killer of the good name of colleagues. It is the disease of cowardly persons who lack the courage…