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.