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Ian Kirkby
- Jan 31, 2019
- 1 min
How Effective Leadership Boosts Business Performance
Here's a guest blog I recently wrote for the Fruitful Group on the above subject (good summary of the business case): https://goo.gl/hks31h #ExecutiveLeadership #ActionCentredLeadership #LeadershipTraits #LeadershipDevelopment #Leadership #OrganizationalHealth #Effectiveness
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Ian Kirkby
- Dec 11, 2018
- 1 min
Facing the Fear of Failure
The truth is that most of us fear failure in something at some time or another. It is often helpful to keep things in perspective, e.g. understanding what won't happen if you fail, etc. and then think about the positive things that could happen if you succeed. Remember, also, that courage isn't the absence of fear; it's a determination to act in the face of it. https://hbr.org/2018/12/how-to-overcome-your-fear-of-failure #Coaching #Engagement #PersonalDevelopment #Productivit
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Ian Kirkby
- Jul 3, 2018
- 1 min
Why do so Many Organisational Transformations Fail?
According to a study by BCG, 85% or companies have undergone a major transformation in the last decade (https://goo.gl/Cjya3w). Worryingly, the same article noted that nearly 75% of the transformations failed to improve business performance, either short-term or long-term! HBR found that a key reason was the fear and insecurity that caused people to keep behaving in ways that did not serve them well, even when they understood this to be the case. Leaders can change policies,
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Ian Kirkby
- Jun 21, 2018
- 1 min
Performance Review Biases - And How To Avoid Them
Performance reviews get a bad press these days. However, they can still be a great tool if done properly and used as part of an ongoing performance review and management system rather than as an annual quick-hit or box-ticking exercise. The article linked below explains how to avoid common biases. One of the key lessons I learnt from the NLP Business Practitioners Course is that 'people like people like them'. That's understandable, but good leaders see beyond that and gain a
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Ian Kirkby
- Jun 11, 2018
- 1 min
Asking Great Questions
The ability to ask great questions is a key leadership skill: they unlock/reveal information, stimulate thinking and boost engagement. Knowing how and when to ask closed ('yes' or 'no') and open questions will empower your leadership. Here's an article that expounds the subject: https://hbr.org/ideacast/2018/05/ask-better-questions Aspire MCL can help you develop coaching and analytical skills. Call us on 020 3904 7501 to learn more. #Coaching #Engagement #Communications #Mee
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Ian Kirkby
- May 16, 2018
- 1 min
The Importance of Compassionate Leadership
It is really important to show compassion as a leader. It is also important to understand that being compassionate does not mean being soft. It's a shame that HBR used the GIF with this article (https://goo.gl/Ze1Nhu) as it conveys the wrong image: Truly compassionate leaders care enough for their team to make tough decisions and have those difficult conversations when they are necessary. #Engagement #TeamBuilding #Leadership #StaffDevelopment #Effectiveness
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Ian Kirkby
- Apr 28, 2018
- 1 min
Afraid of Public Speaking?
Here are 6 tips to help you calm those nerves and deliver a great presentation: 1. Be prepared. Sounds obvious but it's not always done. As well as being familiar with the script/points, try to do a run-through at the venue. 2. Address your specific fear. Make a list, think about mitigating actions and keep everything in perspective (it's not usually a matter of life-and death!). When delivering a major after-dinner speech to VIPs, I found it helpful to view the event as a
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Ian Kirkby
- Apr 17, 2018
- 1 min
How to Handle Being put on the Spot in a Meeting
Great HBR article on this issue: https://goo.gl/mhzRUw Key points are to be prepared for every meeting and to view it as an opportunity rather than a threat if you are put on the spot. That said, if you really can't add value, don't make it up - just pass on the opportunity in a constructive manner. #Meetings #Effectiveness
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Ian Kirkby
- Apr 5, 2018
- 1 min
How Does Poor Leadership Show Itself?
Great article highlighting the most common traits of bad leaders: https://www.td.org/insights/19-traits-of-bad-bosses How does your boss score? How do YOU score? Need help to develop your leadership skills and confidence? Call us now for a no-obligation initial consultation. #ExecutiveLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment #Aggressive #Effectiveness #Leadership
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Ian Kirkby
- Apr 2, 2018
- 1 min
The Damage Done by Invisible Leaders
Invisible leaders are a plague in many organisations. This article illustrates the damage they can do: https://goo.gl/DsZgy5 As it notes, such 'leaders' tend to be good at 'flying under the radar'. If you are an executive or other senior leader, it is important that you proactively seek to identify and remedy any such situations. If you fear the article is describing you, don't despair: get in touch and let Aspire help you become the leader you really want to be! #ExecutiveLe
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Ian Kirkby
- Mar 8, 2018
- 1 min
Make Time for Thinking
https://goo.gl/mguvF7 - I recommend time for strategic thinking to all the execs I coach: it is vital for maintaining a strategic perspective, gaining understanding and generating new ideas. If you never have time for it, consider delegating more or hiring more staff. #ExecutiveLeadership #Effectiveness #Executive
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Ian Kirkby
- Mar 6, 2018
- 1 min
How one bad Employee can Ruin a Good Team
https://goo.gl/ptvKhc This shows the importance for leaders to be willing to have those tough conversations and make hard calls. It may be tempting to duck them, but there's a hefty price to pay if you do so. Aspire MCL can help you do this constructively. Call for more information (020 3904 7501). #ExecutiveLeadership #Leadership #TeamBuilding #Effectiveness #Ethics
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Ian Kirkby
- Feb 26, 2018
- 1 min
Know Your Strengths and Weaknesses
Most leaders I coach have a poor appreciation of their weaknesses. 360 reporting may be uncomfortable at times, but it can be an eye-opener and a valuable source of info for those serious about improving their leadership skills: https://goo.gl/K9UP2m #ExecutiveLeadership #PersonalDevelopment #ActionCentredLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment #Leadership #Effectiveness
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Ian Kirkby
- Jan 22, 2018
- 1 min
Effective Leadership - Tip 10 - Reach out to Junior Staff
Ever watched the programme ‘Undercover Boss’? A senior executive goes to work undercover as a junior employee in his/her business to find out what it is like that level. I stopped watching it after a while because I got tired of hearing lines like “I never knew this was happening”, or “I never thought we had people like that.” I always wanted to ask: “Why didn’t you know?” Whilst it is obviously impossible for senior execs to know everyone and everything at all levels in a bi
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Ian Kirkby
- Jan 10, 2018
- 1 min
Leaders Make Hard Decisions
It seems that managers DO put off hard decisions if there is no competition or accountability: https://goo.gl/Fght73
Lots of applications in light of this finding. Good leaders will make those hard decisions (and be prepared to have tough conversations). #ActionCentredLeadership #Management #Leadership #Effectiveness
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Ian Kirkby
- Jan 2, 2018
- 1 min
Effective Leadership - Tip 9 - Make Time for your People.
Despite the costs in money, time, stress and effort, too many firms still rely on 'stick and carrot' (put in that order intentionally) motivational methods rather than sound leadership. Interactions between leaders and their teams are usually formal and brief. However, making time for your people when they need you will not only save your time in the longer run, it will foster many other positive spin-offs. Most people leave firms not for more money, but to get away from thei
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Ian Kirkby
- Dec 19, 2017
- 1 min
Bridging The Gap Between Strategy and Execution
Good HBR article on strategy: https://goo.gl/SCjzfD Easy to fall into the 'must do it all now' trap, but time spent planning is rarely wasted! It's one thing to be decisive and agile, quite another to be rash. #Strategy #Execution #ExecutiveLeadership #Effectiveness
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Ian Kirkby
- Dec 18, 2017
- 1 min
Effective Leadership - Tip 8 - Learn Continuously
It is always the case that we can learn more about leadership through our own experiences, training (including coaching and mentoring) and case studies (HBR offers an excellent source). The more tools and knowledge we have, the better equipped we are to achieve our goals by meeting challenges and opportunities in innovative ways. In addition, a willingness to learn shows humility (a quality highly valued by effective teams as noted in our last top tip) and keeps us sharp and
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Ian Kirkby
- Dec 5, 2017
- 1 min
Effective Leadership - Tip 7 – Be Humble
Nobody likes a ‘know-it-all’ (and nobody, including you and I, does know-it-all). If you make a mistake, make an unqualified apology, make it quickly and clearly, and then move on. If you want your teams to work with integrity you have to model the behaviour yourself. This approach will also help your team be willing to take more (calculated) risks and to generate new ideas because they know that a humble leader will really listen. The illusion that too many senior leaders cr
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