News & Views from Management-Issues
Viewed from Australia, the Eurozone's slow-motion train wreak might be half a world away, but what it tells us about leadership (or the lack of it) has a universal resonance.
 As Bob Selden observes, one side-effect of the crisis is that the age-old question – the difference between leadership and management – has been thrown into sharp relief. In particular, he wonders whether the unelected technocrats now running Italy and Greece will be able to make the jump from being appointed managers to becoming recognised and respected as leaders.
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 Stephen Archer is worried about leadership behaviour, too. It isn't just confidence in the economy that is eroding fast, he says. Business leaders are also losing their self-confidence, leading to a state of near-paralysis that is having a profoundly damaging impact on the wider economy.
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 Perhaps part of the problem is the way that we choose our leaders. Just because someone is a high performer doesn't automatically mean that they will make a successful move into a leadership role. But that's what many organisations seem to think, says Cindy Wahler.
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 It isn't just indecisive leadership that causes problems in organisations. As James Kerr spells out, while bad leaders can take many forms, there are five primary types from which all 'bad leaders' are derived. Do you recognise any of them?
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 On the other hand, one sign of a well-run organisation is a positive attitude towards staff training. As Mark A Smith explains, while some firms see training as an expense, others realise it is an investment. And these latter companies are far more likely to say – and actually believe - that their employees are their most valued asset.
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 Finally, if you're looking for some inspiration to help make your workplace a better place for everyone, Dan Bobinski has a rather left-field suggestion. Watch the Wizard of Oz.
Many lessons can be learned by considering the characters in the film, Dan says. Not least, you need to plan for Twisters, protect yourself against Wicked Witches and help out the Wizards. Then be like Dorothy - the ultimate team builder, whose "can-do" attitude is contagious, even in the face of enormous fears and obstacles.
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Other News
The mistrust crisis
Almost three out of 10 employees actively distrust the senior leaders in their organisation, a new survey has found, with serious consequences for staff retention, employee well-being and organisational performance.
No second chances
Cash-strapped consumers are becoming increasingly discerning where and with whom they spend their money, with more than a third saying that they would walk away from a brand for good if it failed to deliver a good customer experience first time, every time.
Cuts that miss the mark
In an uncertain economic climate, many organisations have no choice but to embark on cost-cutting. But too often, these cuts are a knee-jerk reaction to immediate events that focus on the wrong areas and do more harm than good.
Leadership and dominance
In Western societies, strong leadership is often linked with the idea of the "alpha male", with generosity seen as a sign of weakness. So why do nice people get overlooked as leaders in favor of the dominant and power-seeking?
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As Myra White explains, the Chinese way of doing business takes time and patience. And perhaps that's no bad thing.
Influencing others and getting them onboard has very little to do with you and everything to do with them, says Wayne Turmel.
It isn't just Apple devotees who are mourning Steve Jobs. As Janet Howd explains, he was also the wizard behind Pixar.
Can China become a leading global innovator? Bill Fischer explores the evidence.
This month's creative solutions from Jurgen Wolff, starting with something we all know a lot about - making mistakes!
Why is it so challenging to make lasting changes? Here's a perspective from Peter Vajda. See how it works for you.
