Book Recommendations
from Bret L. Simmons

From Bret's review: "Despite its flaws, it is a good book. It will make the list of optional readings for my MBA class this fall because I think it will have an impact on the students that read it. The book is very well written with excellent organization and a very conversational style. The best thing about the book is the numerous excellent examples Liz gives to support her points, coming from her years of experience as a top executive and consultant."

Order now from Amazon!

From Bret's review: "I wish I had written this book. I believe strongly that leaders and companies that make social media only about marketing are missing a HUGE opportunity to to radically transform their entire value chain. But I am glad that Charlene wrote it, because through her diagnostic exercises, checklists, rich examples, and systematic approach to open leadership, any leader with an open mindset can follow her advice and get results."

Order now from Amazon!

Are You a Spoon-Fed Leader?

November 14, 2009 by Bret L. Simmons · Filed under: Leadership, Video

I know it sounds funny, but it is a serious question: are you looking to be spoon-fed leadership development? If what you really want to know when you engage in leadership development is “what works and how can I use it myself?” then in my opinion you are looking to be spoon-fed. And who could blame you? There are plenty of sources out there offering up the silver spoon and hoping you will become dependent on it.

If all you ever do is copy what someone else is already doing, the best you can ever achieve is competitive parity. It’s better to create unique solutions for yourself and your employees and force the other folks to copy what you are doing. The only way to do that is to understand why (not how) things work and why people behave as they do.

When it comes to leading people, stirve for understanding. Learn how to learn, and stop asking others to spoon-feed you the practical application of concepts. Struggle with the concepts yourself, and find your own unique practical applications.

Wean yourself from baby food leadership development.

Lord of the Loops

Positively Unable and Unwilling To Learn

Creative Tension

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Tags: Change, Excellence, learning, responsibility
Posted in Leadership, Video

4 Responses to “Are You a Spoon-Fed Leader?”

Kathy Zader says:

November 14, 2009 at 1:24 pm

Bret,

Excellent post. Leadership is a commitment to personal growth and understanding.

[Reply]
Bret L. Simmons Reply:
November 14th, 2009 at 1:53 pm
Welcome, Kathy! Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Hope the new plug in is working properly Thanks!! Bret

[Reply]
Harry Beaupre says:

November 15, 2009 at 10:44 pm

Great post. With out the WHY, nothing else really matters. It took me a long time to figure out my WHY, but after I did, the world finally made sense.

[Reply]
Bret L. Simmons Reply:
November 16th, 2009 at 6:21 pm
Welcome, Harry! I have to be honest with you, I always knew I had a “why” but it did take me some time and effort to put words to it. Does not matter how long it takes, and it does not have to be perfect, but getting to purpose is critial. Thanks! Bret

[Reply]