| July, 2008
What is the heart of leadership? While leadership has many facets
and means different things to different people, some aspects of
leadership are undoubtedly more fundamental than others. At PMC
we see one aspect as being the most fundamental of all. Care to
venture a guess? When we pose this question to our clients they
typically say, “taking charge and being decisive in the face
of adversity,” or something along those lines. What they typically
don’t say is, “holding myself accountable for ways I
may have contributed (unintentionally) to the adversity we’re
now facing.” Yet the latter response is, in our view, more
essential to leadership than the former, typical response. If self-accountability
isn’t the heart of leadership, what is?
June, 2008
Are you a leader in the midst of assembling your team? If so, and
if you're like most people, your tendency will be to surround yourself
with others who think as you do and agree with most of what you
say. Before you assemble your team, consider the actions of Abraham
Lincoln, arguably the greatest leader our country has ever had.
As described by Doris Kearns Goodwin in her epic biography, Team
of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln, "Lincoln,
after winning the presidency, made the unprecedented decision to
incorporate his eminent rivals into his political family, the cabinet…
[and] The powerful competitors who had originally disdained Lincoln
became colleagues who helped him steer the country through its darkest
days." As Lincoln knew, differing points of view contain a tremendous
wellspring of strength, creativity, and wisdom. Remember Lincoln
as you assemble your own team.
May, 2008
The most common complaint we hear from the leaders we coach is “not
enough time!” Without question, business advantage in today’s
marketplace goes to the fast and nimble, and business leaders everywhere
are sprinting to keep pace. But are there exceptions? Does it ever
pay to deliberately slow down? Absolutely. When interpersonal challenges
arise in high stakes situations, slowing down to work on key relationships
is often the most practical action a leader can take. Without this
action, work relationships inevitably get “gunked up”
and drag down the business. For this reason, business advantage
goes not only to the fast and nimble, but also to leaders who know
when and how to slow down. Slowing down as needed to work on key
relationships has the added benefit of bringing us together at the
very moments our quest for speed threatens to rob us of our shared
humanity.
April, 2008
The Washington University
School of Law has retained Paul Paese, of PMC, to teach a business
negotiations course to second and third year students in the J.D.
program. The purpose of the course is to augment students’
legal education with state-of-the-art training in business negotiation
and dispute resolution. Participants in the course will develop
core skills in bargaining and conflict resolution that complement
the technical skills learned in other law school courses. The Law
School is extremely pleased that Paul has agreed to serve as instructor,
as this course contributes to the school’s reputation as one
of the finest law schools in the country.
March, 2008
At their March meeting, the Kirkwood, Missouri city council confirmed
Paul Paese, of PMC, to the Board of Trustees of the Kirkwood
Public Library. Early in the year Kirkwood mayor, Mike Swoboda,
recruited Paul to serve on the Board of Trustees, but Paul’s
installation was delayed by the tragic events of last month at Kirkwood
City Hall. Having been sought for his expertise on personnel matters,
team communication, and process facilitation, Paul has now been
formally installed as library trustee, and he is delighted to begin
serving his three-year term.
February, 2008
We at PMC are deeply saddened by the tragedy that occurred this
month in Kirkwood,
Missouri. PMC is based in Kirkwood, so these events are very
personal, greatly outweighing any other news for the month. Our
hearts go out to the entire Kirkwood community. To the families
of the victims, especially, we extend our deepest sympathy and ongoing
prayers for healing and strength. At times like this, when the pain
of tragedy threatens to divide us, the words of Mahatma Gandhi are
worth remembering: “I have only three enemies. My favorite
enemy, the one most easily influenced for the better, is the British
Empire. My second enemy, the Indian people, is far more difficult.
But my most formidable opponent is none other than myself, a man
named Mohandas K. Gandhi.” Like Gandhi, may we all serve peace
in the world by striving for peace within ourselves.
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