Disqus - Latest Comments for Robin_Dickinson

Re: Your Opinion: Can You Teach Leadership? Or Are You Born With It?

Robin Dickinson — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 15:33:09 -0000

It's a great question, Scott. IMO, leadership is a skill that can be learned AND some people have a genetic predisposition that suits being a leader. Whether those people 'step in' to that genetic advantage is another thing entirely.

Re: 4 Ways To Focus When You Meet People

Robin Dickinson — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 05:16:37 -0000

When I meet new people, my focus is simply to honour them in the short time and space we share i.e. listen to them; hear them; feel them; make it safe for them to have a different opinion or point of view from mine; resist the urge to segue everything they say back to me and my story.

Happy New Year, Scott. Talk soon.

Robin :)

Re: W’re a Top 50 Leadership Blog.

Robin Dickinson — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 04:08:28 -0000

Well deserved, Scott. :)

Re: Not A Presentation, A Participation!

Robin Dickinson — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 03:51:03 -0000

Excellent points you make, Jeff. So true. :)

Re: How To Say No

Robin Dickinson — Sat, 27 Nov 2010 16:17:09 -0000

STRATEGY IS WHAT YOU SAY NO TO

YES is the lazy way. You may get the feelgood in the beginning. The ego stroke. But YES is not a strategy. Strategy is what you say NO to. It takes real thinking, prioritization, aligned values and resources - and courage. Anyone can say YES to everything. It's the pathway to poverty and exhaustion. Real leadership has a strong, confident NO.

NO gets easier with practice, especially as you get to experience the fantastic benefits of a strong NO. It makes your YES far more valuable. My NO is simple. "NO thanks, that doesn't work for me right now. But thanks for thinking of me." No further explanation needed. None given.

Your thoughts?

Best,

@Robin_Dickinson

Re: Your Most Valuable Leadership Quality Is…?

Robin Dickinson — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 23:57:56 -0000

If humility also means having he courage and openness to self-examine, to question their own leadership in a way that is constructive and raises the standard (think 'iron sharpens iron'), then it is indeed an incredibly valuable leadership quality.

I've just come from a 2 hour mentoring session where the topic was progressive leadership. Being around such a powerful leader helps me to examine my own style and look for ways to lift my game.

Leaders need leaders - and some kind of forum to continually improve.

Re: Too Busy Helping People To Help People

Robin Dickinson — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 04:16:57 -0000

Hi Scott,

To start this discussion on a productive note, this is my note to you on Facebook recently (for the benefit of readers here). I have added some 'muscle' to it:

How to unbusy yourself:

a) delegate even more effectively by getting a better fit between tasks and people;

b) prioritize tasks (yes, again) - constantly review priorities;

c) think through long-term sustainability of current workload. Be honest, not a victim with something to prove to those around you;

d) strengthen your NO even more. Zero tolerance for time-wasters and passengers (diplomatically handled). Have the difficult conversations with those you know are being carried rather than load bearing;

e) use your creativity to forge a better way forward. Expect better answers;

f) avoid 'following'/modelling other really busy people - even leaders - model those who have mastered leveraged productivity. Avoid copying those who look exhausted, sick and tired, listless;

g) ask better questions - "How can I do this task/project in a way that gets the best result for the least effort?"

h) watch your vocabulary. Avoid the language of the lame: "I'm exhausted; flat out; snowed under; overwhelmed; sipping from the fire hose" etc. Create a more inspiring and productive lexicon.

Best,

Robin :)

Re: Don’t Do This – Speaking

Robin Dickinson — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 04:51:04 -0000

That's what I was trying to say. Thank you, Peter. Your version is much more elegantly put. :)

Re: Don’t Do This – Speaking

Robin Dickinson — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 17:00:03 -0000

Thank you, Chris.

As a professional speaker, I prefer to avoid slides all together as they create one more barrier between the audience and my ability to connect with them.

Re: Add To The Core, Don’t Delete it

Robin Dickinson — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 16:35:14 -0000

This thinking resonates with me, Brian.

Re: Add To The Core, Don’t Delete it

Robin Dickinson — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 03:45:37 -0000

Scott, the topic of truth is such an interesting one.

My first ill-considered response to your questions is to say that surely the answers will depend on whether you think of truth as subjective, relative, objective, or absolute.

More consideration needed on my part.

Best, Robin :)

Re: Successful Blogging book review

Robin Dickinson — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 23:41:52 -0000

I agree, David. I've been blogging for just over a year with a strong commercial focus. Annabel's book provided me with a useful crosscheck to ensure that my approach is taking full advantage of the latest and best thinking regarding blogging.

Best,

@Robin_Dickinson

Re: Leaders: Is It In The Detail?

Robin Dickinson — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 17:55:13 -0000

Your military example is exactly where I'm coning from, Stephen. Think of the examples of huge military disasters by 'visionary' leaders who ignored critical logistical details around supply-chain and local weather patterns in pursuit of world domination. ;)

Re: Leaders: Is It In The Detail?

Robin Dickinson — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 17:44:08 -0000

One of the key distinctions here must be to make the decision as to whether you are first and foremost a leader (in the sense of leading the business/team) OR a technician.

An effective leader will understand technical details to the extent to which it enables them to make sound judgments and decisions about the business direction, relying on technicians for tactical/micro decisions within that context.

Even as a solo business owner, I find myself making very clear distinctions between the two roles and scheduling time appropriately. The leader working ON the business. The technician working IN the business.

Re: Leaders: Is It In The Detail?

Robin Dickinson — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 17:36:09 -0000

That resonates with me, too Andrew.

Re: Leaders: Is It In The Detail?

Robin Dickinson — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 17:35:20 -0000

The great danger is when this micro-management becomes nitpicking and zapping in error.

Re: Leaders: Is It In The Detail?

Robin Dickinson — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 06:03:36 -0000

Thank you, Andrew. The leaders who get bogged in the technical details and default under-pressure to micro-management seem to struggle the most.

Best,

Robin

Re: Leaders: Is It In The Detail?

Robin Dickinson — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 05:46:43 -0000

LEADERSHIP IS IN THE RELEVANT DETAILS

The leaders whom I serve who are consistently successful:

a) are strong on strategic details - vision, purpose, mission, values etc;
b) are strong on commercial details - key financial numbers;
c) are strong on diplomatic details - political sensitivities, team dynamics etc;
d) are 'weak' on technical details - specific technical knowledge - this is left to others in the organization.

Just a general pattern I've noticed over the past 25 years. :)

Re: Name This Book!

Robin Dickinson — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 17:02:03 -0000

Thank you, Carol. I just find brainstorming ideas much easier if you get a little guiding feedback.

Best of luck,

Robin :)

Re: Name This Book!

Robin Dickinson — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 02:41:21 -0000

Hey Carol, no feedback?

Re: Name This Book!

Robin Dickinson — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 04:30:34 -0000

Carol, my contribution is in response to my friend Iggy Pintado's call out.

Jump Start Your Life: how teaching dogs to fly unleashed my best-ever life.

Options: could replace 'life' with 'love' or have that as follow-up title.

Best regards,

Robin :)

Re: The 7 branding secrets of Lady Gaga (They’re infectuous)

Robin Dickinson — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 17:13:15 -0000

GA-GA: Be GAllant and work the GAp!

Thank you, Rhondalynn.

Best,

@Robin_Dickinson
Helping you succeed in business.

Re: What Farmers Can Teach Us About Social Media

Robin Dickinson — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 04:16:53 -0000

How?

Stop counting people and start making people count i.e. seek to understand what really matters to the people around you and help them to get it.

Best, Robin :)

Re: Video: From No Limbs To No Limits (Must Watch)

Robin Dickinson — Sun, 17 Oct 2010 17:12:22 -0000

We have no problems! :)

Re: How do you make time to think?

Robin Dickinson — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 06:44:40 -0000

Seeking to further understand your excellent thoughts, Anne - what makes you say that "creative thinking is hard, hard, hard" ?

Best, Robin :)