As we begin a new year, I try to spend some time in clean-up, planning and reflection.Occasionally, I come across a post that I enjoy and think that needs to be shared, because it embodies a lot of the characteristics needing during, before or after a meeting. This article from John D. Halamka, CIO of CareGroup Healthcare System. embodies those concepts (although he approaches it from an information technology perspective):
Leadership Lessons From My Daughter
May 19, 2008 (Computerworld)
Being a parent has taught me more about leadership than anything written by Spencer Johnson or Peter Drucker. Here are my top 10 management lessons learned from being the father of 15-year-old Lara:1. Yelling never has a positive outcome. My daughter remembers the two times I’ve raised my voice, even though they occurred long ago. My outbursts diminished me and had no positive effect on her behavior. In business, if I ever feel that raising my voice will win the battle, my life as a parent tells me that confrontation only makes a situation worse.
2. Formal authority rarely works. I wouldn’t get very far if I told Lara, “Do this because I’m your father.” That wouldn’t get me very far as a CIO, either. Leadership comes from thoughtful discussion that leads to consensus.
3. Give permission to make mistakes. Making mistakes is the way children learn, and it works for our staffs, too. Setting limits and offering staffers the flexibility to excel on their own is far more effective than micromanagement.
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