I recently wrote about my struggle to find just the right word that is the opposite of “oblivious.” Along those same lines, what do you consider to be the opposite of “curious”? Various dictionaries suggest “incurious; uncurious” (sigh), “apathetic,” “indifferent” or “uninterested.” I’m not sure any of these are quite right. (Interestingly, this list is identical to the one generated when you inquire about the word “nosy.” I’m not a fan.)
Continue reading “Picture a Curious Leader”Imaginative Leadership
“Now there is an imaginative leader!”
Says almost no one ever.
Innovative yes. Visionary occasionally. Gutsy sometimes. Imaginative? Rarely.
In fact, “imaginative” can carry negative connotations when applied to leadership. Impractical? Lost in their own head? Childish? Disconnected from reality?
Yet I’m becoming increasingly convinced that we’re missing out on something very powerful when we discount imagination in leadership.
Continue reading “Imaginative Leadership”A New Take on Trust
If you’ve been following this space, you’ll know we’ve recently been working our way through the leadership characteristics captured in the acronym ELASTIC that will form the basis of my upcoming workshop series and book: energy, likeability, adaptability, strategy…the T stands for trust.
When we think of trust, we often think of integrity. Being true to one’s word. Guarding appropriate confidentiality. Living in alignment with our values.
Continue reading “A New Take on Trust”What’s a Strategic Leader?
What makes an idea “strategic”?
I’ve heard that word used to mean many different things recently, ranging from “high level” to “one off” to “short term” to “long term” to “a senior responsibility.” It’s often understood in relation to its opposite: “not in the weeds.” One dictionary definition I saw is entirely unhelpful: “marked by strategy.”
Continue reading “What’s a Strategic Leader?”Collective Adaptability
I am conscious of being in a liminal space recently, somewhere between gatherings happening digitally and in-person and a new “third way” of hybrid that has more variations than I can describe.
Liminal spaces are exciting and uncomfortable and tiring.
This particular transitional time reminds me to be grateful for the fact that adaptability (which we all need) is both an individual and a collective responsibility. The Adaptability Quotient assessment tool measures personal skills such as grit and resilience, but also collective features such as work environment and team support. This means that our shared environments can both contribute to and undermine our ability to adapt, just like our temperament and skillsets can.
Continue reading “Collective Adaptability”