tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82876993797916390482012-02-04T05:32:43.514-05:00The Resilient LeaderBetty Doohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01231206470034280226noreply@blogger.comBlogger551100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287699379791639048.post-48836166961843597392012-02-02T11:50:00.001-05:002012-02-03T16:04:42.604-05:00The Experience of People
Tom DeLong
Attended a dinner meeting provided by the New England Society for Applied Psychology last nite. The speaker was Tom DeLong from the Harvard Business School. Tom had an energetic and interactive style of presenting which was fun, and he based his presentation on the usual HBS case-based style of teaching which centered on succession planning in a professional services firm.
Betty Doohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01231206470034280226noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287699379791639048.post-23447645303398995992012-01-16T14:14:00.001-05:002012-02-03T16:09:33.560-05:00What do you think, Dr. King?
Martin Luther King, Jr. as a young man
Today we celebrate the life and work of Martin Luther King, Jr.
He had a dream. Did his dream come true?
He would have been happy and proud to see an African-American president enter the White House in 2009. I am sure he would be pleased with many other changes that have occurred throughout the US Betty Doohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01231206470034280226noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287699379791639048.post-77545628541965128882011-11-29T12:04:00.000-05:002012-02-03T16:11:00.144-05:00Psychology, Leadership & the Big Ideas
I recently attended a seminar through the New England Society for Applied Psychology in which Sarah Cliff, Executive Editor of the Harvard Business Review spoke. Her presentation was entitled, "On the Psychology of Leadership and Managing People"-- a topic which is indeed near and dear to my heart.
Ms. Cliff described leadership and management trends evident throughout the history of the Betty Doohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01231206470034280226noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287699379791639048.post-71895816131774269552011-11-23T11:59:00.001-05:002011-11-23T13:16:26.002-05:00Thanksgiving: a time to pause and reflect
Betty and Curtis in Granada, Spain.
I love my work. What's not to like? I have a great boss (that would be me), I get to use my talents, and I help people and companies get better at what they do.
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and in honor of our national tradition, we use this day to give thanks. Despite the fact that I love my work, I am most thankful for those "other things". I guess Betty Doohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01231206470034280226noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287699379791639048.post-71520502898800852852011-11-12T14:01:00.001-05:002012-02-03T16:24:43.964-05:00Why INTEGRITY trumps everything
Joe Paterno was obviously a well-loved and respected coach by the Penn State community as well as throughout athletic circles. Yet Joe Paterno is out. History has become irrelevant; an integrity issue has reared its ugly head.
Good leadership requires many things: technical skills, communicative and persuasive capabilities, commitment, motivation, interpersonal awareness, vision and Betty Doohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01231206470034280226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287699379791639048.post-26197724766450621422011-07-13T14:16:00.000-04:002012-02-03T16:29:16.542-05:00Psychology and Leadership Development
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We seem to be in similar places in our lives---children out of the house, who are moving forward in their careers & relationships which take Betty Doohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01231206470034280226noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287699379791639048.post-14238187531661807872011-01-26T10:00:00.001-05:002012-02-03T16:30:52.760-05:00What are your money scripts?
I recently finished an interesting book by Brad Klontz, Rick Kahler and Ted Klontz called Facilitating Financial Health.There were many words of wisdom in this book, but what I found most intriquing was the list of the most common "Money Scripts". Money scripts are in essence the underlying beliefs we hold about money. We all have them and they effect our lives: How we save, or don't; the Betty Doohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01231206470034280226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287699379791639048.post-5292393958503755812010-09-22T13:16:00.000-04:002011-11-23T11:58:46.834-05:00Do you really understand your organization's culture?
Culture change is frequently identified as the the intervention needed to improve the performance of an organization. The word "culture", however, is used gingerly and there remains much debate and controversy regarding the best way to fully understand the culture of an organization.
Ed Schein presents a simple yet illuminating perspective on organizational culture. According to Schein (Betty Doohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01231206470034280226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287699379791639048.post-42069802472525103872010-04-07T13:12:00.000-04:002010-04-07T13:12:13.512-04:00Can we talk?Reflecting upon the aftermath of the final vote on healthcare reform, I wonder if there is any possibility of bipartisanship in the US. We are now more polarized than ever. Republicans blame Democrats for wheeling and dealing while Democrats blame Republicans for being the party of no. The anger has risen to the level of vandalism, hate speech and serious personal threats that have led to Betty Doohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01231206470034280226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287699379791639048.post-11022580463781659412010-03-08T16:35:00.020-05:002011-04-13T14:40:49.467-04:00The Magical One Day Training SolutionDid you see the article in the Boston Globe yesterday with the provocative title?
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Betty Doohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01231206470034280226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287699379791639048.post-49169490356750123122010-01-18T11:12:00.000-05:002010-01-18T11:12:52.803-05:00Martin Luther King and The Change we hope will come somedayToday is a day to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a great leader.
http://www.thekingcenter.org/PhotoVideo/Default.aspx
As I reflect upon the changes that have occurred over time, there are reasons to celebrate and reasons to lament. We have seen significant advances in race relations since the 60s and we now have the first African-American president. There also exists many more Betty Doohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01231206470034280226noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287699379791639048.post-70696835053830524932009-12-30T15:01:00.005-05:002009-12-30T15:09:31.940-05:00Resilience: Yes, Despair: No
New Year celebrations are almost here, yet 2009 has been an enormously difficult year and a real challenge for the Resilient Leader. What have you done to ensure your success and that of your company, family, community? It is easy to despair or blame others during difficult times, but out of crisis often comes new opportunities.
Resilience is about bouncing back in the midst of adversity, Betty Doohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01231206470034280226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287699379791639048.post-52816323387599527202009-12-15T12:57:00.002-05:002009-12-15T13:03:08.285-05:00Am I my Avatar?My Avatar, Dora Felisimo, has been gradually coming out of the closet. Why has she been so reluctant to announce herself? Shouldn't there be some sort of debutante ball or something? The reason "She", I mean "I", or I guess, "We" are hesitant is because within my circle of family, friends and colleagues, Second Life is still something way too weird. I frequently find myself being an evangelist Betty Doohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01231206470034280226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287699379791639048.post-17926070670501081462009-11-26T11:38:00.002-05:002009-11-26T11:57:10.792-05:00Thanks !
Today is Thanksgiving, a holiday I really enjoy because it is centered around two of my favorite things: food and my family. It is traditional to "Give Thanks" on this day and though it may seem a bit hokey, what the heck, why not? So I give thanks for the following things--
I am healthy and happy
I am engaged in work I really enjoy
My kids are not in jail, but are actually gainfully employed,Betty Doohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01231206470034280226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287699379791639048.post-56014322576014750852009-11-25T13:16:00.002-05:002012-02-03T16:35:03.224-05:00Stop discriminating against victims of downsizing!
The Boston Globe had an article today which got me fired up, "Amid high unemployment, some positions still hard to fill"
http://xrl.us/bgduqc
Now, I don't deny that there are highly technical positions which require very specific areas of expertise that are hard to fill with good candidates. But what irked me about this article was the presumption that laid off employees are Damaged Betty Doohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01231206470034280226noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287699379791639048.post-44777004929691960432009-10-26T12:11:00.019-04:002009-10-27T11:35:56.837-04:00When a Strength is no longer a Strength....I am currently reading the book The Perils of Accentuating the Positive, edited by Robert Kaiser. Now, talking about being "too positive" is not particularly endearing. How does one argue for negativity? And it is clear that Positive Psychology and the Strengths-based Movement have made significant contributions to the management field, especially in clarifying the need to help successful Betty Doohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01231206470034280226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287699379791639048.post-1500228092751297112009-10-19T11:50:00.009-04:002011-11-12T15:12:55.435-05:00Assessment Challenges Across the GlobeI just returned from the Society for Industrial/Organizational Psychology (SIOP) Leading Edge Consortium which was on the topic of Global Assessment and Selection. There were many interesting issues raised and the short answer is: There is definitely more work to be done.
The biggest challenge global organizations are facing is coming up with methodologically sound assessment and selection Betty Doohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01231206470034280226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287699379791639048.post-58968670169669430612009-09-28T16:36:00.010-04:002011-11-12T15:02:39.872-05:00Executive Coaching--what you don't know may hurt you
Executive Coaching is now a billion dollar industry. One can hope that is because it is found to be the most effective learning strategy for developing leaders. One might also worry that it is instead because of effective marketing techniques.
As the field of coaching develops, we are seeing a surge in research. Much of this research has serious limitations because it is conducted by those Betty Doohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01231206470034280226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287699379791639048.post-12278944540331516842009-09-11T14:00:00.004-04:002009-09-11T14:18:26.571-04:00Healthcare Reform Craziness--Part 2The battle continues with politicians acting out and I would say not modeling mature Leadership behavior for their constituents. Joe Wilson, Representative from South Carolina, shouts out and calls the President a liar while Louie Gohmert, Rep from Texas sits in the audience with a protest sign hanging around his neck.People are clearly very passionate about the issue of healthcare reform but Betty Doohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01231206470034280226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287699379791639048.post-50249089564782832352009-08-13T13:49:00.009-04:002009-08-13T14:54:29.767-04:00The Healthcare Reform CrazinessThe attempts at overhauling our healthcare system are bringing to light some of the serious problems in our political and social system today. Heaven help us!There are serious financial, quality and fairness issues that require healthcare reform. But I fear the polarizing political situation around this issue may prevent rational discourse and a reasonable solution. Resolving the problem Betty Doohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01231206470034280226noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287699379791639048.post-61765749360381654552009-07-19T13:17:00.015-04:002009-07-19T15:19:53.656-04:00Education and the bumpy road to personal successI am preparing to attend a high school reunion and shall I say, its been a few years. So thanks to Facebook I am reconnecting with people I knew in high school and haven't seen in quite awhile.I recently had a telephone conversation with a former classmate, Fernando Nunez aka "Chick" who asked a simple question, "Tell me this...how does a girl who grew up in West Tampa, Florida end up getting aBetty Doohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01231206470034280226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287699379791639048.post-47288380174363994682009-06-08T11:50:00.007-04:002009-06-08T13:04:09.584-04:00The Use and Abuse of 360 Degree FeedbackMulti-rater feedback surveys, also known as 360s, are now standard in many corporations. People are receiving large amounts of feedback from fellow workers on their leadership, management and work style behaviors. These come from peers, direct reports, bosses, sponsors and even clients and customers. The number of 360 assessments available for commercial use is staggering and indeed choosing Betty Doohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01231206470034280226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287699379791639048.post-21407430728326551742009-05-15T15:06:00.007-04:002009-05-15T16:13:08.463-04:00The social etiquette of social networkingNew technologies require new ways of behaving. So it is not surprising that there will be a learning curve. Twitter is my newest adventure and I am still trying to figure out the proper etiquette.For example, a member of one of my Linked In groups posted a notice "Hey, you can follow me on twitter if you want...we have lots of good info, articles, etc.". So I went to his twitter account to checkBetty Doohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01231206470034280226noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287699379791639048.post-19620620261696016792009-04-24T15:36:00.005-04:002009-04-24T16:04:02.530-04:00Listening 101Sometimes the simplest things are the most difficult. Like active listening. We often think of ourselves as good listeners; but are we really? Or, are we distracted, or disengaged, or just waiting for our turn to speak.Listening is more than hearing. Consider this: have you ever had the experience of talking to your teenager (or dare I say, spouse) who does not appear to be listening ? You Betty Doohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01231206470034280226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287699379791639048.post-74823020305642273942009-03-30T15:29:00.008-04:002012-02-03T16:44:08.302-05:00Tired of the Generational Wars? Me too!
It is very common to hear these days about the war between the generations. You know, how the Boomers can't deal with the Millennials, and how Generation X is misunderstood, while Generation Y (unlike everyone else, apparently) wants "work life balance" and on and on. This so-called generational conflict is itself generating enormous billable hours and white papers from consultancies. Well, Betty Doohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01231206470034280226noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287699379791639048.post-70422727892066421202009-03-18T14:55:00.009-04:002012-02-03T16:49:29.757-05:00What does a Leader look like?I've been engaged in a recent discussion on an online HR group on age discrimination. Though most people acknowledge it exists, many prefer to avoid the discussion as it seems too negative to dwell on.
So its my blog and I'll cry if I want to (a baby boomer reference...get it?)
Age discrimination is alive and well. So is discrimination based on gender, race, ethnicity, disability, sexual Betty Doohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01231206470034280226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287699379791639048.post-85628250207642660602009-03-06T16:36:00.007-05:002009-03-06T17:33:00.163-05:00Are you a Techno-phobe?Techno-phobia---noun...meaning fear, anxiety, pounding heart, sweating profusely or downright dread in regard to learning new technologies.OK, its not a real diagnosis, but one I just made up. (See, some advantages to being a card-carrying Psychologist).Many people simply dread the notion of having to learn a new application or call the IT guys who are going to make you look foolish, so its Betty Doohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01231206470034280226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287699379791639048.post-80710608525449876942009-02-13T09:38:00.010-05:002009-02-13T10:47:34.074-05:00Personality, Leadership and Organizational PerformanceJust back from the Society of Consulting Psychologists (APA, division 13) conference in San Diego entitled, "Excellence in Leadership". As I make my re-entry from the land of palm trees and sunshine into the cold and chilly New England climate I have some time to reflect on more than the question "How is it a Florida girl ended up in this wintry mess?". I think also of the big questions raised Betty Doohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01231206470034280226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287699379791639048.post-71387566811907098212009-01-19T11:29:00.007-05:002009-01-19T11:57:02.306-05:00In celebration of a great leader--Martin Luther KingWhat are the qualities of a great leader? What I look for most is Moral Character...which means the willingness to stand up for what you believe in, even in the face of adversity. The link below takes you to a brief video of MLK speaking on his morals in reference to his stand on the Vietnam War, in which he received criticism from many.....How can we encourage moral leadership today?http://Betty Doohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01231206470034280226noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287699379791639048.post-5630165774421097882009-01-14T16:07:00.009-05:002009-01-14T17:32:42.682-05:00If the layoff happens to you....National unemployment rates hit 7.2% in December according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, and in some states it is even higher, approaching double digits. These are scary numbers but still a bit abstract; when the layoff happens to you, or a family member, then the abstraction becomes reality real quick.Before going into a panic (or after the panic has subsided) recognize that you are Betty Doohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01231206470034280226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287699379791639048.post-63401129207571981032008-12-30T09:22:00.011-05:002008-12-30T09:57:08.167-05:00Leadership Reflections2008 is coming to a close. The new year will soon be upon us. It is a good time to reflect.What have you as a leader accomplished this year, both personally and professionally?What are your goals for 2009?It has been a difficult year financially for many businesses and if the economists are correct, 2009 will continue to be a challenge. It is not time to despair, however, but time to take a step Betty Doohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01231206470034280226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287699379791639048.post-65142282345516426222008-12-05T08:57:00.003-05:002008-12-05T09:25:45.277-05:00Leading through difficult timesThese are the times that really challenge one's leadership capabilities and the one issue that challenges a leader more than anything is the need to downsize. It is something all managers hate but is sometimes unavoidable. We are currently seeing many layoffs and there will be more in the coming year(s).As someone who has worked with many companies and individuals experiencing restructuring and Betty Doohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01231206470034280226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287699379791639048.post-10042073722257045312008-11-26T10:12:00.006-05:002008-11-26T11:49:26.230-05:00Are managers a health risk for their employees?Companies seem very interested these days in saving healthcare costs. So here's a new hitch---pay more attention to the Manager-Employee relationship. It saves money in reduced healthcare costs. It also appears to save lives.A Swedish study by Anna Nyberg, a psychologist at Karolinska Institute's Department of Public Health Sciences in Stockholm, established a clear link between management styleBetty Doohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01231206470034280226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287699379791639048.post-32652290130727498592008-11-18T15:03:00.006-05:002008-11-18T15:56:29.302-05:00The era of the Post-Heroic Leader?Put your politics aside for a minute and take a look at the personal qualities of our new President-elect Barack Obama. Does he appear to reflect a new style of leadership?Early on, I worried that we didn't know much about the man since he was fairly new on the national scene. However, as the political season dragged on (and on and on) I found myself intrigued. My initial concerns....is he just aBetty Doohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01231206470034280226noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287699379791639048.post-18858045409437251082008-10-26T11:59:00.006-04:002008-10-26T12:39:44.689-04:00Why conversation trumps "Performance Management"I hear it time and time again. People lamenting over the lack of open conversation and trust with their managers. Sometimes you hear someone say...."I used to have a great relationship with my manager, but I have a new person and rapport is not so good...." or "I left my job because my manager was impossible. I just couldn't get through to him..".It is a serious and persistent problem which Betty Doohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01231206470034280226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287699379791639048.post-82344343059332141792008-10-15T16:55:00.008-04:002008-10-15T17:32:33.265-04:00Hope vs. FearMaybe it is reasonable to have a little FEAR. If you are in danger of losing your job, your health care insurance, your house, your lifestyle....then fear may be an appropriate response.On the other hand, FEAR can become overwhelming, distorted and lead to dangerous actions. We saw the hatred and bigotry that came after 9/11 when FEAR was used by some to move their own agendas forward.HOPE, on Betty Doohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01231206470034280226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287699379791639048.post-14531366680883862882008-10-03T12:10:00.005-04:002008-10-03T12:50:58.824-04:002008 Financial Crisis--Part 2Well, things seem to go from bad to worse.While the White House, legislators and the business community are battling over how to fix the serious financial crisis, let's ask ourselves--What can we expect from our leaders?How should they respond to this situation? Some of the behaviors we are witnessing include....Immediate actionMaking speechesReflectionAngerInformation gatheringBringing Betty Doohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01231206470034280226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287699379791639048.post-22973430805222538242008-09-18T16:09:00.006-04:002008-09-18T17:21:39.857-04:00The 2008 Financial crisis: what can we learn about leadership?It's now clear our economy is suffering a major blow. Financial institutions are crumbling. The government is stepping in to head off even more calamities while creating significant discourse on who is to blame and what is an appropriate response.These are the times in which leaders are most challenged. They are challenged to demonstrate what they are really made of.It is also a time in which we Betty Doohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01231206470034280226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287699379791639048.post-10890559797749948162008-09-09T09:19:00.004-04:002008-09-09T10:05:02.609-04:00Diversity at the TopDespite your political leanings, you cannot deny that the 2008 presidential election has a new look. Two women, an African-American and an older gentleman have appeared front and center on the stage. Regardless of who wins, there will be a new look in the Whitehouse come January 2009.So what does it mean, exactly?It seems clear that people are energized by having greater diversity at the top. WeBetty Doohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01231206470034280226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287699379791639048.post-3302064859477395582008-09-01T17:16:00.006-04:002011-11-23T13:14:46.390-05:00We all need a little vacation every now and then
Do you feel guilty when it's time to take your vacation? Do you worry about all the things that may go wrong while you are away enjoying yourself with a little R and R?
Here in the U.S., unlike certain other places, we find it difficult to find the time to get away from our work. However, that "away" time is actually good for us and the job. It allows for valuable time Betty Doohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01231206470034280226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287699379791639048.post-64107936472691479582008-08-23T13:23:00.007-04:002008-08-23T14:07:08.280-04:00Moral LeadershipI attended the annual American Psychological Association's Convention last week so be prepared, gentle reader, for my blogging reflections from this event. I do not normally attend this convention which is primarily focused on the more clinical side of psychology--however, there were a number of presentations geared to Organizational Psychology practice and one that was particularly inspiring to Betty Doohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01231206470034280226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287699379791639048.post-4726491386362333432008-08-13T08:53:00.010-04:002008-08-13T10:35:41.421-04:00Experience, Judgment and Learning AgilityI was sitting in a cramped American Red Cross bus, doing my civic duty and giving blood. As I lay with tubes coming out of my arm, the nurses began to discuss the presidential candidates who apparently both have August birthdays. One nurse commented "Now I really don't know who I am going to vote for---McCain really does have alot more experience" (she sounded like a former Hillary supporter).So Betty Doohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01231206470034280226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287699379791639048.post-65925459826081963292008-08-05T15:01:00.009-04:002008-08-05T17:56:57.601-04:00Coaching, Mentoring or Training: What, When & Why?There are many options available for developing your people. Three strategies one often hears about are coaching, mentoring and training. What are the differences? Why one over another?Training is something most people are familiar with. Most companies implement some form of training-- new hire training, training on specific technical skills or applications like Microsoft Office or SAP, learning Betty Doohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01231206470034280226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287699379791639048.post-8816726176838861552008-07-30T11:03:00.005-04:002008-07-30T11:42:19.168-04:00Sales Leadership Advice: Stop Selling!Attended the Worcester Business Journal Sales Awards Breakfast today where 20 top sales people from Central Massachusetts received awards for their Sales Success.Much of the focus on Sales Success was attributed to what some may call "psychological factors", notably: listening more "selling" less; More focus on the customer/client, less on your own products or services; More emphasis on Betty Doohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01231206470034280226noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287699379791639048.post-74840989073461361592008-07-25T15:04:00.007-04:002008-07-26T22:49:31.130-04:00Why I love technology (and you should too!)Standing in the Apple line at the Burlington Mall waiting for the "privilege" to buy my new iphone, I had the time to reflect upon my relationship to technology.As a consultant, I am a change agent. I help organizations and their leaders develop, grow, expand their capabilities and be more effective in achieving their business results. Which is why I love technology: its all about change.Other Betty Doohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01231206470034280226noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287699379791639048.post-572572519884436342008-07-18T10:59:00.004-04:002008-07-26T22:52:00.040-04:00Leadership in HealthcareOur healthcare system is in trouble. Does anyone negate this point?OK, we are likely in agreement here, the question is what to do about it. There are simple and not-so-simple answers. One payor system, more insurance options, greater consumer responsibility, pay for performance, six sigma and lean quality programs, improved technology, more primary care physicians, innovative primary care Betty Doohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01231206470034280226noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287699379791639048.post-21642222974903978922008-07-11T10:45:00.005-04:002008-07-26T22:53:28.116-04:00Flip-Flopping vs. Obstinance: A Leader's DilemmaWe find ourselves disappointed in our leaders for flip-flopping. We don't want to think they will change their minds on a whim...or for political advantage. Obama is getting some heat for this now, especially on his recent vote on FISA and his position on campaign financing. McCain has also done his share of changing positions, most recently regarding immigration law.So, when is changing one's Betty Doohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01231206470034280226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287699379791639048.post-57575710616969020682008-07-03T14:22:00.007-04:002008-07-26T22:54:13.477-04:00Liberty, Personal Freedom and BusinessOn the eve of July 4th, 2008, it is worth reflecting on the state of freedom in the US. I am thinking particularly of how it relates to the world of work and business.Our country is founded on the notion of personal freedom and liberty for all. As a nation in our daily practices, we are getting closer to reaching the goal of "liberty for all", though we aren't quite there yet.I find myself Betty Doohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01231206470034280226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287699379791639048.post-77804618436272329732008-06-26T11:58:00.004-04:002008-07-26T22:55:57.590-04:00Trust in the WorkplaceDo you trust your manager? Does he/she trust you? How do you know? Does it even matter?There are differing opinions regarding this issue. Some say it is unreasonable to expect trust between employees, managers and peers in the workplace given the nature of work today and it may even be counterproductive or detrimental. For example, being overly trusting of others may lead you to divulge Betty Doohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01231206470034280226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287699379791639048.post-26151340800537919432008-06-19T12:02:00.012-04:002008-07-26T22:57:40.964-04:00Is "Political Leadership" an Oxymoron?A blog on leadership cannot ignore the obvious---what is happening in the political scene. It is clear that today people are cynical about politics and politicians. Polarization seems the norm--one side takes a position, the other side reacts. The other side takes a stance, again a reaction. Few political leaders are willing to stand up and "cross the aisle" to tackle the really difficult issuesBetty Doohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01231206470034280226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287699379791639048.post-47528175856168396122008-06-13T16:07:00.005-04:002008-07-26T22:59:05.179-04:00Values-Centered Leadership in ActionLast night I had the opportunity to hear Tom Chappell, co-founder and CEO of Tom's of Maine, speak on values-centered leadership. You probably know Tom for his natural toothpaste and other various natural products. He presented his company as a Case Study with an emphasis on the various trials and tribulations of developing a business that was consistent with one's values. Tom sees himself as a Betty Doohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01231206470034280226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287699379791639048.post-70217664311457606952008-06-09T09:42:00.012-04:002008-07-26T23:00:37.857-04:00Learning in the midst of ConfusionWhy does the most profound learning come in the midst of a crisis? You have probably had that experience. After a failed project, a personal set back or a time of major transition, you find yourself making major breakthroughs. This is very common and there is evidence suggesting a physiological basis for this phenomenon. What happens is that during these times you are more open to new Betty Doohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01231206470034280226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287699379791639048.post-72536430729402565892008-06-05T14:36:00.004-04:002008-07-26T23:01:46.427-04:00Leading through conversationSometimes the simplest things are the hardest to accomplish. Like having a difficult conversation that may change the course of events.In the work setting, people are always confronted with the decision to speak or not speak their minds---"Should I give my opinion on this controversial issue?" "Do I tell my manager I have concerns about x ?" "Should I put myself out there in the team meeting, andBetty Doohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01231206470034280226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287699379791639048.post-68663411817091234702008-06-04T11:15:00.005-04:002008-07-26T23:02:50.186-04:00The Leadership Journey BeginsIs there really enough room in cyberspace for another blog on leadership? Well, I say a resounding YES! As an Organizational Psychologist, I bring a perspective that attends to both the personal and the organizational---and leadership is all about the dynamic between these two realms.Some folks are scared off by the word "Psychology", fearing that it is too focused on the soft and fuzzy as Betty Doohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01231206470034280226noreply@blogger.com0