You’ve heard the phrase ‘a chip off the old block’? Well, the "shadow of the leader" is a similar concept. It describes the phenomenon where leaders, through their likes and dislikes tend to shape culture and behaviour. Coined by Sean Delany the "shadow of a leader" is a helpful metaphor. Think of organisations you know and how the personality and behaviour of the leader influences their culture.
Blog Archive | Leadership
The Shadow of the Leader Drives Culture
Posted on January 12, 2020 by Paul O'Dea
Do CEOs really have time to waste on emotional intelligence?
Posted on December 14, 2019 by Paul O'Dea
Scott Adams, the creator of Dilbert, is famously critical of the workplace with his cynical cartoons. He entertains millions with his experiences of jargon-filled corporate speak and the lack of emotionally honest messages.
Culture-Don't let your garden become overgrown with weeds
Posted on February 02, 2016 by Paul O'Dea
There is something special about a company of twenty people. In particular, one that has reached a key milestone like product market fit and has a viable financial model.
Improve your team's performance by following Joe Schmidt's example
Posted on September 18, 2015 by Paul O'Dea
Many task oriented CEOs claim success through their focus on task completion. They make employees accountable. They then micro manage to ensure they are on top of everything. This works in smaller companies where each member of the team is accountable to the 'boss'.
Leadership-Too much direction and not enough flow
Posted on June 23, 2015 by Clare Gallagher
Some teams are winners. Others never quite make it. Pundits debate the reasons endlessly. For me, the main factor is leadership style.
Why decision making in good times is harder than in bad?
Posted on May 27, 2015 by Paul O'Dea
It's ironic. We all welcome better times. Yet the CEO's job becomes trickier than in tough times.
How 'Power of 10' helped SalesForce transform growth
Posted on April 21, 2015 by Paul O'Dea
Transforming business growthMany CEO's have to operate in a split personality mode, like Dr Jekyll and My Hyde when it comes to business growth. Most of the time they are in an operational or ‘in the business’ mindset and only occasionally do they actually take time out to focus ‘on the business’.
What's in a Leader?
Posted on November 11, 2013 by Emer O'Donnell
I’ve been at quite a few talks on Leadership. You know the kind of thing – how to be a good leader, what makes a great leader, how I became a great leader etc. One thing they all have in common – as with much of the literature on leadership – is that they examine leadership from the point of view of the leader – rather than the led.
Better Performance.... for Free!
Posted on July 23, 2013 by Paul O'Dea
You know the management meeting. Some helpful 'process-o-crat' suggests - 'we should introduce a performance appraisal system'. Even as I write the words, I start to get a pain in my gut. They don't work. They create frustration. No good comes from the paperwork they create. The processes they create block honest day to day feedback conversations. They focus on weaknesses too much.
Three great leadership lessons - inspired by Declan Kidney
Posted on April 05, 2013 by Paul O'Dea
Declan Kidney knows that professional sports team management is brutish. Wins are quickly forgotten and sentiment turns quickly toxic when results don't meet expectations. Most leaders performance evaluation is conducted in private. Not so a professional coach, even a Monday morning pundit (like myself) feels we have a right to review the coaches performance. Yet whatever public sentiment lingers, I believe Declan Kidney's legacy includes three great leadership lessons:
