Servant Leadership & Technology
Southwest Airlines (LUV) announced the 39th consecutive year of profitability yesterday. The company has been a role model of servant leadership since its founding by Herb Kelleher (and others). During the financial earnings call, CEO Gary Kelly, CFO Laura Wright and Executive VP Robert (Bob) E. Jordan reflected the company’s commitment to servant leadership. Improved Results by Acquired AirTran Southwest [...]
I am a fan of many Apple products and believe Steve Jobs played a critical role in Apple’s success. However, following his passing, there were many people who referred to him as a great leader. He was – if you refer to technology and innovation. However, if you refer to people or organizational leadership, I [...]
It is a common occurrence now: coffee shop patrons holding their trash in hand, searching in vain for a garbage can. However, there are no trash cans for patrons. Lemonjello’s pursues a zero waste policy. To do so, they’ve removed public trash cans and asked customers to place any trash in the dish bin. Employees [...]
Donald Trump is the epitome of power-based leadership. For example, the man wanted to trademark his catch phrase, “You’re fired!”, which would require every organization using this phrase to pay him tribute. Therefore, “The Donald” makes for an excellent study on the personal effects of power-based leadership. Former Fan When I graduated college, I idolized [...]
I know your frustration. I feel your pain. Sitting there, hearing some self-absorbed, toxic leader drone on about one bad practice after another. Yet, you know there is a better way. I’m here to tell you, you’re not alone and I have some theme music to inspire you – “The Outsiders” by Need to Breathe. [...]
Part of my mission is to spread servant leadership awareness. Therefore, I greatly appreciate folks on Twitter who spread servant leadership content. Last year, I highlighted 5 individuals to whom I was especially grateful for their ongoing support and promotion of these principles. This year, I’ve expanded the list to 10 and created a more [...]
The Scenario: Overconfident I was hired to deliver a new back office software suite. Prior to my arrival, the project had struggled to get off the ground, so expectations were high. They placed a lot of hope in me and perceived me as the “hero” outside hire. What was worse, I knew and believed the hype [...]
I recently received feedback that I am multitasking too much in meetings. The perception is that I am not engaged enough. This bothers me especially because multitasking during meetings has long been a pet peeve of my own. Therefore, I’m dedicating myself to fixing this. Here’s why: A good leader serves their organization through active [...]
Much of what I practice in both leadership and technology roles, I first learned early in my career. In fact, the early years of my career formed the lens through which I view most of my professional perspectives. While I have grown, adapted and expanded many perspectives since those formative years, I was fortunate to [...]
When you feel like the answer is obvious, but nobody wants to listen, you are not alone. When everyone else seems focused on their personal pestige, rather than serving stakeholders, you are not alone. When you want to scream at the narcacisists entitled with executive job descriptions, you are not alone. When it seems overwhelming [...]
