From the category archives:

Leader Traits

Does Power Corrupt Leaders? If So, Why?

by Bill Caskey on August 19, 2010

We recently read a great article in the WSJ Weekend Edition called THE POWER TRIP. Jonah Lehrer wrote this and reflects quite accurately what happens to many leaders as they assume high-level positions. Bill Caskey and Terry Sarbinoff addressed this in their recent Modern Leader Podcast.

  • Share/Bookmark

{ 2 comments }

I came across this video today of Bill George, a Professor of Management at Harvard Business School, who explains the importance of hiring people should be based now on their values. He also mentions that now more than ever business owners must focus on the emotional intelligence of the company. To fully understand the phenomenon [...]

  • Share/Bookmark

{ 0 comments }

Why Would Anyone Follow Me?

by Jillian Vanarsdall on September 28, 2009

“To Understand Follower-Ship, Leaders Need to Grasp The Survival Benefits of Social Coordination” I recently read an article, An Evolutionary View-What Followers Want from Their Leaders, that explains the three characteristics dating back to the ancient tribes that every follower needs from their leader. Roughly two million years ago, the hunter-gather living style did not have formal leadership [...]

  • Share/Bookmark

{ 1 comment }

My Idea of a Great Leader…

by Brooke Green on May 23, 2009

With the addition of The Leadership Institute of Indianapolis (www.leadershipinstituteofindianapolis.com) to our company offerings, I have been drawn lately to blogs (www.punkrockhr.com) and articles (www.mindtools.com) regarding leaders. It’s no accident that many catch phrases have been created about management and leadership. * Top down leadership * It starts at the top * “With great power [...]

  • Share/Bookmark

{ 5 comments }

Tony Dungy. The Definition of Great Leadership

by Bill Caskey on January 13, 2009

Well, Tony Dungy finally retired this week. I say “finally” because it seems like he’s wanted to for a couple of years. I watched him say goodbye to Indianapolis (home of The Leadership Institute) and wondered why his lessons of leadership fall on deaf ears. It would do us all good to hear this guy’s [...]

  • Share/Bookmark

{ 4 comments }

Self Development. A Key For Leadership.

by Bill Caskey on December 18, 2008

Spoke with Frank Horvath today. He is author of 151 Quick Ideas To Motivate Your Sales Team.  We discussed leadership and the skill of self development. He quoted a few studies that said there are two key skills conspicuously absent in leaders of today: 1) Developing themselves and 2) Developing others.  At the Leadership Institute [...]

  • Share/Bookmark

{ 0 comments }

Behavior Issues Do Cost Money. You Just May Not Know It.

by Bill Caskey on December 13, 2008

This is one company’s detail of the incremental costs associated with the bad behavior of their “top” salesperson. This is a true story that happened in a privately held company we know in the mid-west. This guy we will call Dan. Good news , it seems that good ol ‘ Dan was responsible for 10% of the companys’ total [...]

  • Share/Bookmark

{ 0 comments }

Is Your Company Bringing Out The Best In People?

by Bill Caskey on November 24, 2008

I ask this rhetorical question because it’s a question my firm wrestles with. Are we creating an atmosphere that is ripe for personal growth, creativity, high performance and success? In my work at the Institute with companies far and wide, I must tell you the answer is typically “NO.” And I know you’ll say, “Well [...]

  • Share/Bookmark

{ 0 comments }

Leadership Competencies for Sales VPs

by Bill Caskey on November 20, 2008

We’ve gotten a few emails recently from VP’s of Sales asking about their competencies. Here’s an excerpt: “You are talking a lot about leadership competencies and skills in general–but I’m VP of Sales. I don’t feel like I get much attention when it comes to leadership development. So what should I be working on?” Here’s [...]

  • Share/Bookmark

{ 0 comments }

Why Leaders Fail

by Bill Caskey on November 5, 2008

As part of our association with Hogan Assessments, we often get content from their team. Recently, we received something that I thought ‘fit to print’ for our blog readers. Management Derailment What is it? And what causes it? The failed managers had many things in common. They were all bright, were identified early, had outstanding [...]

  • Share/Bookmark

{ 2 comments }