Leadership Perspectives

Want to be more productive? Spend more time sleeping.

An article last week in the Wall Street Journal focused on the effect of adequate sleep – and sleep deprivation – on work performance.  Pointing out famous short-sleepers, such as the late Margaret Thatcher, who famously operated on far less than the often recommended eight hours sleep per night, the article makes the case that […]

4 ways to work more sustainably

Last week I wrote about working sustainably and the magic of pausing.  Here are some additional ways that leaders can work more sustainably. 1.  Examine your systems and fix ones that are inefficient Do you know exactly what you need to do and where to find the paperwork, tools, or other resources that you need […]

The 7 Habits live on

Bestselling author Stephen R. Covey died this week of injuries that he sustained from a bicycle accident in April.  (Official Press Release.) We know the great personal loss of his passing to his family and those who knew him.  It is a great loss to the rest of us as well, who benefited from his […]

Downtime is essential for leadership effectiveness

Some of a leader’s best thinking and learning occurs in that space in-between when all is still.  It’s known as the creative pause, a term probably coined by the best-selling author Edward de Bono, and it refers to the increasingly rare downtime that leaders have to rest and to quietly reflect. Between the ultra-connected world […]

Leaders under stress: Pay attention to lifestyle factors

Many leaders compound the stress inherent in leadership responsibilities with the additional stress experienced by our bodies and minds when we don’t care for ourselves properly.  I have learned that three lifestyle factors are essential for me to operate effectively.  Without them my ability to manage stress goes right out the window.  Proper nutrition:  Food […]

Engagement Lacking? How Leaders Get Re-engaged

Last fall, we posted a good bit in various social media about employee engagement.  Leaders worry a lot about how to help workers feel enthusiastic, committed, and emotionally connected to their work.  After all, engaged workers are more productive and they are less likely to leave. But what happens when the leader isn’t feeling engaged?   You […]