The disease of excessive planning and of functionalism. When a leader plans everything down to the last detail and believes that with perfect planning things will fall into place, he or she becomes an accountant or an office manager. Things need to be prepared well, but without ever falling into the temptation of trying to eliminate…
Are you vaccinated against the disease of mental and emotional “petrification”?
Then there is the disease of mental and [emotional] “petrification.” It is found in leaders who have a heart of stone, the “stiff-necked;” in those who in the course of time lose their interior serenity, alertness, and daring, and hide under a pile of papers, turning into paper pushers and not men and women of compassion.…
Are you vaccinated against the ‘disease’ of excessive busyness?
Another disease is excessive busyness. It is found in those who immerse themselves in work and inevitably neglect to “rest a while.” Neglecting needed rest leads to stress and agitation. A time of rest, for those who have completed their work, is necessary, obligatory and should be taken seriously: by spending time with one’s family and…
Are you vaccinated against the disease of thinking you are immortal, immune, or downright indispensable?
The disease of thinking we are immortal, immune, or downright indispensable, [and therefore] neglecting the need for regular check-ups. A leadership team which is not self-critical, which does not keep up with things, which does not seek to be more fit, is a sick body. A simple visit to the cemetery might help us see the…
Are you vaccinated against the 15 main ‘leadership diseases’ according to Pope Francis?
The sun was up and the day was hot. It was early in the morning and while the Nile showered us with its magnificent opulence, it did very little to reduce the heat that had started to flow from every stone in Kom Ombo. As I walked into the temple dedicated to two enemy gods…
Embrace your stress… actually LOVE IT
EMBRACE YOUR STRESS? Really? You know what, don’t just embrace it, LOVE IT! Have I gone crazy, perhaps, but not really. Let’s think it through. You want to get a new job, you are invited to an interview, you did your homework, you are ready, excited, and you are stressed. You hope you were not,…
WHAT ARE YOU DOING ABOUT GENDER EQUALITY IN YOUR OWN CIRCLE?
WHAT ARE YOU DOING ABOUT GENDER EQUALITY IN YOUR OWN CIRCLE? It’s two o’clock and it’s time to present my monthly report at yet another management meeting. As usual, I explain that we have done this and that; I share our Key Performance Indicators (KPI) -good but not great; I note that we should celebrate this…
POLITICALLY CORRECT, WHY NOT SIMPLY CORRECT?
This may not be a politically correct tip or mail… I beg your indulgence if it annoys, hurts, or disturbs any of you. Still, I feel I must, and I believe we all should ponder on the topic of racism and, in general, the irrational divisions we are creating, endorsing, or tolerating through varied and…
LET’S GET ADDICTED TO… OXYTOCIN
Today’s tip: LET’S GET ADDICTED TO… OXYTOCIN Dear colleagues and friends, How was your night? How was your weekend? I hope you managed to disconnect with work and connect with your loved ones, as best you could! Perhaps you remember a 20 year old movie -oh my God, I’m old!- titled “Pay it forward”, with…
Want to be a great leader?
Are leaders born or taught? Am I a leader or a follower? Do I command or do I obey? Am I first or last? Am I a chief/Oga or ‘just’ an employee? Am I technically or academically ready to lead or I’m still developing? All these fascinating questions generate more trouble than solutions insofar as…