Dynamics Archives - Evergreen Leadership

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How to Tell a Good Consultant from a Great One

I started consulting 14 years ago. It’s not always been easy. Most times I’ve been good, a few times I’ve been mediocre, and on occasion I’ve done great work with my clients. I’ve worked with other consultants, some of whom have been consistently good, some great, and some… not so much. I’ve taught consulting to others – I’ve seen their struggles and their successes, and just how challenging it is to do great work for their clients.

As I aspire to be consistently great, it is helpful to differentiate good from great. Here is how I define the difference…

Dynamics

Swagger

In my executive coaching I see plenty of folks plagued with this problem: They are smart. They have deep expertise in their field. They are competitive and are on the hunt for the next promotion. And they have an almost uncontrollable need to prove just how brilliant they are. Unfortunately, these actions work against them. Even when they are smart and capable and driven.

Dynamics

Learned Incompetence

How many times are good intentions for support and help internalized by the recipient as proof of personal inability? How often is it easier to rely on someone else for something well within our grasp? How can we enable rather than disable those we seek to help? Where in my life am I relying on someone else’s help rather than stretching and becoming independent?

I don’t have many answers – but am struck that these are questions our schools, government and social services organizations would be well served to study and master. I’m interested – what do you think?

Dynamics

Skeptics vs. Cynics

Skeptics and cynics share some things – both question, both challenge, both share doubt openly. As such, we tend to cast folks that raise objections, challenge our plans or thinking or ask difficult questions in a negative light. We avoid them. Un-invite them to meetings. Find ways to silence them. Avert eye contact. Roll our eyes. Sigh deeply. Run the other way when we see the coming.

Today, I challenge you to refine your approach. To discern if those that are asking questions are skeptics or cynics. For while both will challenge and question, past that – the similarities wane and diverge in significant ways.

Dynamics

5 Clues to Identifying Your Strengths

Over the weekend I temporarily moved the contents of my office in order to paint the walls. Even I was amazed at what got pulled from the space. I’ve included a photo of SOME of the books that I extricated – and that photo does not include books in my family room, on my night stand, or tucked in various other places in my home.

I had to chuckle, as this was such a visible reminder of one of my strengths – which is input. So why is knowing your strengths important, and how can you identify yours? Read on to find out.

Dynamics

Do Emotions Have a Place at Work?

I had a recent conversation with a leader in a large company who made the statement, “It would all be better if only people would just come to work and do their work, and leave their emotions at the door.”

It’s not the first time I’ve heard that sentiment – but this time it really caused me to pause and wonder. Would it really be a better place? Here’s what I think about emotions and work.

Dynamics

A Minute to Get It: How to Get Your Audience’s Attention and Action

In our last post, Myra Cocca discussed ways leaders can communicate in times of change. Today, I explore a related topic – how to get a share of the attention when people are bombarded with information – at work, home, in the car, and in the community. In a message-saturated world, how do you get someone to read your email, open your letter, spend time on your website, peruse your blog, listen to your presentation – and then take appropriate action?

Evergreen Leadership Blog

How to Tell a Good Consultant from a Great One

Swagger

Learned Incompetence

Skeptics vs. Cynics

5 Clues to Identifying Your Strengths

A Minute to Get It: How to Get Your Audience’s Attention and Action

False Equivalencies

Be Liked or Be Yourself?

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