Three Big Assumptions Leaders Should Question

HarvardBusiness.org - "Corporate success rests on good leadership.

Or so we all believed. For at least a generation, we have praised corporate executives as examples of good management. To me, one of the most disturbing aspects of the current recession — aside from financial insecurity — is the failure of leadership, especially corporate leadership. So the question arises, what were senior executives thinking? How did they allow this to happen? And why were they so late to respond?..."

Summary: "Here are three assumptions about how leaders manage that are coming under challenge."

1. It is important for organizations to set firm goals.
2. Quick wins are essential to managers in transition.
3. Senior leaders believe in their CEOs.

Read the full article...

Photo credit: Bludgeoner86

Heart attack, eh? Boss may be cause

The Boston Globe: "Bosses like (above) Mr. Burns on "The Simpsons," Michael Scott from "The Office," Miranda Priestly of "The Devil Wears Prada," and Jack Donaghy of "30 Rock" can be health hazards. (Fox Broadcasting)...

Swedish researchers report today that workers saddled for four years with managers who were inconsiderate, opaque, uncommunicative, and poor advocates were about 60 percent more likely to suffer a heart attack or other life-threatening cardiac condition. By contrast, employees whose managers exhibited robust leadership skills were roughly 40 percent less likely to suffer heart emergencies.

"Now, we'll ask what is your job like? Are you happy in your job? Is your boss difficult to work with?" Cannon said. "I guess Dilbert would fit in here. Dilbert's looking at an early heart attack, given that he has very little control over his life and doesn't seem to have a very nice boss." Read the full article here.

If your boss isn't a cartoon, but is a cause for high blood pressure, then perhaps they need to hear about it.