The Leadership Riptide and How to Escape: Recent Episodes
BizNews
What does leadership have to do with a riptide? Being caught in a riptide means thrashing around, expending energy and effort – ending up no closer to the shoreline. Right now, as leaders, many of us feel a similar frustration: implementing myriad interventions and initiatives – and yet no closer to the elusive ‘shoreline’ of employee engagement. To escape a riptide, you need to swim differently! In the same way, if we want to improve employee engagement, we need to lead differently. Backed by solid scientific evidence and packed with stories, examples and anecdotes, this book shows us how. Chosen by The South African Board for People Practices (SABPP) as one of their top 5 leadership books (2017).
Leadership is most effective when leaders at all levels know, understand and are equipped to deliver the corporate strategy. Listen here to find out how a South African mining company got fund managers in New York and rock drill operators in Welkom to have the same version of the corporate strategy… and then took on the world.
When every employee not only talks about strategy, but also understands their role in achieving it, it becomes a living thing – something which employees relate to and want to deliver. Listen here for innovative and creative ideas which brought the strategy of a South African gold mining company to life.
In the world of business consulting, strategy, culture and leadership often get sold as separate ‘silver bullets.’ Perhaps, as showcased in the next 3 chapters, it is their area of overlap that is the magic. Listen here to discover how a South African gold mining company made their culture come alive, helping their people to internalise and live it.
As leaders we spend a lot of time, money and energy on strategy and culture. But how effective are we at getting our message across to employees - the people who really need to act on it? Stories (verbal and visual) are a powerful tool that leaders need to harness. Because stories are memorable and impactful, they bring strategy and culture to life - and make leaders’ messages stick. Listen here to find out more.
Marketers go to extreme lengths to understand their target audiences. Imagine if leaders did the same with their employees? If, rather than sending out stuff in the name of communication, leaders could truly connect and create shared meaning? Listen here to discover practical tools which will help you to know and influence your audience.
How can you lead others if you can’t lead yourself? Listen here to discover practical tools which will help you develop and hone your EQ – a key leadership skill for the 21st century.
Henry Mintzberg says: "Leadership, like swimming, cannot be learned by reading about it!” Leadership is a practice - a set of deliberate actions – if they are not in your diary, they are not going to happen. Listen here to find out how to make leading a daily practice.
Our lives revolve around numbers, but can what really counts be counted? Science proves that rather than the number itself, it’s the progress that we make towards achieving the number which is the most powerful motivator. This is great news for leaders. Listen here to find out more about the motivating power of progress.
We spend so much time focusing on our own and others’ weaknesses or ‘development areas’. But science proves that focusing on strengths is far more effective in terms of improving engagement, productivity and creativity. Find out why by listening here.
Tom Peters says that leading is about love. As a leader, it’s up to you to create an environment of mastery, autonomy and purpose. It’s the only way to bring out the best in your people. Find out more by listening here.
Warren Buffet says: “Trust is like the air we breathe…we don’t notice it until it’s gone” Listen here to find out why trust is a must, for any leader who wants engaged, inspired and productive employees.
Play is not a word we often associate with work. Yet play is the secret ingredient of engagement. Listen to why play at work is the key to possibility thinking, problem solving and innovation.
Worldwide employee engagement numbers are shockingly low. Perhaps because in many instances business does the opposite of what science has proven to work - in terms of motivating and inspiring employees. If we want better engagement, we need to lead differently! Listen here to find out how…