Unlocking Leadership Potential: Tom’s Inspiring Journey from Skilled Developer to Effective Team Leader
Florin LunguWhat does it really take to lead a team? This was the question that Tom had been asking himself all week. He was one month into his new role at his organization. He recalled how excited he had been to accept the responsibilities of a leader at first – but the last 30 days had turned his enthusiasm into confusion. Tom was the most talented software engineer at ConnectCo – a natural computer wiz, a hard worker, and a creative problem solver. The industry-leading technology that had put the organization on the map was a product of all of its innovative employees, but much of it was implemented by Tom. It did not take long for Tom to stand out to ConnectCo’s upper management. After Tom’s boss, Kayla, received a promotion, no one was surprised when he was their first choice to replace her. No one, that is, except for Kayla. “Of course, he’s a fantastic developer, and I want him to get his due recognition,” she had told management when they asked her, “but there is a difference...
From Clashes to Collaboration: 7 Strategies Empowering Leaders to Harness the Power of Healthy Conflict
Florin LunguA few weeks ago, I shared with you some insights from author and corporate expert Simon Sinek. He spoke about the need for soft skills in today’s workplace – or as he calls them, “human skills,” skills that professionals need in order to be better humans. And one of these “human skills” he saw the need for was having an effective confrontation. But even more than the general workforce, it is crucial that leaders are learning how to handle conflict. As Dr. John Maxwell says, “Everything rises and falls on leadership.” Leaders strike the tone for their teams. If one area of the working environment is out of balance, it is the leader’s responsibility to set – or reset – the standard. No leader wants conflict, and no team member wants to perform in a workplace where conflict runs rampant. After all, our teams come together for one common purpose, and conflict seems to only keep that purpose from being realized. But when identifying the 5 dysfunctions of a team, business...
Mastering the Inner Leader: The Key to Self-Awareness and Effective Leadership
Discover the untapped potential of self-awareness in leadership with our latest article, “Mastering the Inner Leader: The Key to Self-Awareness and Effective Leadership.” Learn how self-awareness can help you build trust, make informed decisions, communicate effectively, and create a positive work environment. Despite its importance, only 19% of leaders exhibit effective self-awareness. It’s time to bridge this gap and empower your leadership journey. As a special offer, we’re providing a free Maxwell Leadership Communication Assessment to help you understand your communication style and boost self-awareness. Don’t miss this opportunity to unlock your true leadership potential. Read the article and claim your free assessment today!
The Missing Piece of Leadership: Developing Human Skills in the Workplace
Are you a great technician who just got promoted to a leadership position?
Congratulations!
But being a great technician doesn’t always mean being a great leader.
The missing piece of leadership lies in developing human skills – communication, collaboration, and empathy. In my this article, I explore the importance of these human skills and the challenges of transitioning from a great technician to a great leader.
From navigating difficult conversations to giving and receiving feedback, I delve into the essential skills that leaders must master to foster positive relationships and create a healthy work environment.
Check it out for insights on how to become a well-rounded and effective leader!
The Right Tool for the Job: Adapting Your Leadership Style to Your Team’s Needs
Are you a leader who wants to get the best out of your team?
It’s important to understand that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to leadership. In fact, the most effective leaders are those who adapt their style to the needs of their team. As the saying goes, “use the right tool for the job.”
In this article, I share a personal experience of working with a growing organization and how their leader had to adjust their leadership style to meet the team’s changing needs.
Leadership Beyond Titles: How to Earn Your Team’s Respect
Have you ever found yourself in a leadership role but struggling to gain your team’s respect and influence?
I was in that same position, and it wasn’t until I learned about the “leadership ladder” that I understood why.
In my latest article, I share how influence, not just a title, is key to successful leadership. I break down the five levels of leadership, from positional to pinnacle, and offer strategies for moving up the ladder and earning your team’s respect.
If you want to improve your leadership skills and make a real impact with your team, give it a read!
What level of leadership are you at with your team, and what can you do to expand your impact?
How to Avoid the People-Pleasing Trap and Lead with Confidence
Are you a leader who always puts the needs of your team before those of your organization?
As a young leader, I made this mistake and ended up over-promising my team, leading to disappointment and frustration.
If you want to avoid falling into the same trap, read one of my latest articles on how to avoid the people-pleasing trap and lead with confidence.
You’ll learn how to reevaluate your leadership priorities and strike the right chord with your team.
The Cost of Turnover: Three Steps to Retaining Your Best Talent
Florin Lungu Retention has been a topic of great discussion lately, and for a good reason. It is one of the most significant challenges faced by modern corporate managers. Turnover is a pain that many managers know all too well. It can wreak havoc on morale, hinder progress, and cost businesses an incredible amount of money. In fact, the cost of voluntary turnover is so significant that I had to double-check how many zeros were in the figure - it's an astounding twelve zeros in $1 trillion! The pressure to solve a problem of this magnitude can be daunting, but all it takes is a bit of an expanded perspective. Our perspective is limited to our individual experiences, and we tend to assume that everyone else is like us, thinks like us, works like us, and likes the same things we do. However, this is far from the truth. Team members show up at work every day, sit in meetings, work at their desks, collaborate, communicate, and bring their talents together to mobilize the mission of the...
Turn Renters into Owners: A Leader’s Guide to Building a Strong, Invested Team
Unlock your team’s full potential. Learn how to create a culture of ownership and empower your team to achieve their best work. Discover 5 proven strategies to engage and motivate your team members. Elevate employee engagement, boost morale and productivity, and achieve your organization’s goals together.
Discovering the Power of Perspective: A Guide to Improving Retention and Team Morale
Gain a new perspective and improve your retention and team morale! In our latest blog post, we explore the power of perspective in leadership and how it can impact your organization. From letting go of fear to focusing on the positive, learn how to create a culture of encouragement and inclusion. Discover how to gain insight into your team’s perspective and improve the workplace for those who choose to stay.
Leading the Way: How One CEO’s Coaching Journey Transformed His Team’s Performance
Florin Lungu I want to introduce you to Malcolm, the founder and CEO of Alva Labs. Alva Labs is an information-technology consulting firm in Stockholm, Sweden, that Malcolm started back in 2017. Malcolm set out to achieve a breakthrough in the hiring process – he wanted to connect organizations with people looking to fill their open positions. But not just any people, and not just any organizations. Malcolm had a mission to help people find their dream jobs at organizations who needed their skill sets. A big idea like that was going to require a big team. As the company grew, Malcolm saw the need for him to elevate his skills as a leader. So he did what many leaders do when they need to improve – he partnered with a coach. And that coach revolutionized Malcolm’s leadership paradigm so much that after only 2 sessions, he decided he wanted to implement company-wide coaching for Alva Labs. According to Linnea, the Head of People at Alva Labs and Malcolm’s coach, her sessions with Alva’s...
The Cost of Poor Communication: A Lesson from the 1996 Everest Disaster
Discover the tragic consequences of poor communication on the 1996 Mount Everest expedition and how it can apply to your workplace. Learn from the past and improve your communication skills.
Leading with Heart: The Importance of Emotional Intelligence in Building Strong Teams
Florin Lungu Until I became a leader myself, I thought leadership was all direction, all the time… I share this often – but that is because it was the starting point of the most dramatic paradigm shift in my leadership. From the moment I could hold a broom in my two hands, I was directed to help out around the house. My mother would tell me to do something and I would do it. Not because I wanted to help or because I wanted to honor her request. But because that was my only option if I did not want to incur consequences. I did not realize the role that relationship plays in leadership until I was a leader myself. When I was first promoted, I was the kind of leader to say, “Jump,” and expect my employees to ask, “How high?” and I quickly learned that was not effective in the workplace. Or at least, it wasn’t effective if I wanted there to be room for development. People can only consider instruction and direction as much as they regard the person giving them. So while they may complete...
Stagnation in Leadership: Avoiding the Dangers of Still Water
Stagnation in leadership can be just as dangerous as stagnant water. Learn how to avoid it and keep your team flowing towards success. Discover the importance of emotional intelligence, communication and coaching for performance in leadership and how to prioritize your own growth for the betterment of your team.
Do you set aside time to do this?
Florin Lungu Let me present you with three scenarios… (pay attention – there will be a quiz at the end!) As she leaves her house, Alice notices her car keys are missing from the key rack. She rummages through her pockets and her satchel until she asks, “When did I last have them in my hands?” She remembers placing them on the kitchen counter the night before – and there they are. Barry pulls a freshly-washed shirt from his closet. As he puts it over his head, he notices a strange, strong, chemical scent. “Ugh,” he thinks, “it must be my new laundry detergent. I’ll have to see if they sell it unscented.” Christina’s daily chores are interrupted by a bout of food poisoning. As she lays down in bed, she thinks on what she’s eaten throughout the day – toast, salad, leftover chicken… “Chicken, it must be,” she thinks to herself, and throws it out so that no one else in her family gets sick. Question: What do these three scenes have in common? Answer: All of them, when presented with a...
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