Obviously most working teams or committees are composed of extroverts and introverts—I would argue you need that combination to make problem-solving and the generation of ideas successful. In typical meetings, extroverts will often find it easier to contribute, to speak up, and process their thinking out loud; this approach is not in the wheelhouse of more introverted team members. With more on-line video meetings as part of the normal workday, there is significant pressure and need for leaders to step forward and manage team interactions, in order to ensure that each member is fully functioning in the interest of the success of the organization. Deliberately employing explicit structures and guidelines, that employees become used to over time, will set the stage for better productivity and involvement.

Career success, Leadership, Team-buildingJane MouldingSeptember 30, 2020workingfromhome, Pandemic, Flexibility

Generational Genius

Cross-fertilization of ideas consistently happens in good working relationships; openness to new thoughts from all sources tends to set effective leaders apart. For all of us, our arenas of work and ideas have necessarily expanded rapidly during the recent pandemic experience—there are so many external influences that we are responding to, and again good leaders see all of this as opportunity and pivot as quickly as they can from a reactive to an active, look-ahead stance. Internal influences are equally very present in our lives—they always have been of course, but right now might be the time to take advantage of what already exists internally. Opening up our thinking as widely as possible will enable us to take advantage of our strengths in different and imaginative ways. This is a time to be ready for completely new ways of doing things, using a growth mindset. For example, within your organization right now, there are likely five generations of people (the Silent Generation, Baby Boomers, Gen.X, millennials, and Gen Z.). That might be an untapped wealth of wisdom! Wisdom that we would do well to take advantage of.

Career success, High performanceJane MouldingSeptember 9, 2020Covid-19, Flexibility, Time-of-change

The Danger of Living on an Island

Does your organization claim to be “world class?” If the answer is yes, we have two important words to share: Be careful.

One of our clients was a newly appointed school leader who described joining an institution that considered itself world-class in every way. She reported being struck positively---at least initially---by the consistency of the culture of pride she encountered. Unfortunately, as she got to know the institution better, her initial response turned into uneasiness.

In addition to the omnipresent “we are world class,” mantra, our client described a pattern of institutional insularity: for example, administrators rarely belonged to professional associations, or attended meetings with their peers outside of the institution. Instead, they turned to each other for advice and, especially, for affirmation on any initiatives they considered launching. This in-culture review limited useful critical feedback. Of course, that made sense: without any kind of outside measurement and enveloped in a self-congratulatory ethos, new ideas nearly always got not only a thumbs up, but frequently a gold star or two.

Our client faced a difficult dilemma. On the one hand, she was hired with the understanding that she would both nurture and strengthen the reputation of the organization. On the other hand, she knew that unless she encouraged the enterprise to grow and change, its true positioning in the real world would diminish

Virtual Background: New Tools of The Trade

Elizabeth is a principal with a health economics consulting firm based primarily in the northeastern part of the United States. Her current work involves leadership and project management, drawing on quantitative and qualitative research, and managing clients. When she was hired by her current employer two years ago, it was made clear that her primary base of work would be her home. During the recent months of lockdown and work-from-home, Elizabeth’s level of comfort and success, while WFH, have made me think about, not only what mindset and skillset it takes to make this shift, but also other lifestyle improvements that the shift enables.

Career success, Leadership, Team-buildingJane MouldingJune 24, 2020workingfromhome, Pandemic, Flexibility

Riding the Bull: Careers in Chaotic Times

Uncertainty makes many people anxious. Because of that, most of us go out of our way to create a sense of predictability in key areas of our lives. That is certainly the case with employment: most individuals strive to have a decent bead on their future direction.

Of course, not everyone shares the same across-the-board roster of expectations about earning a living. Some individuals view work primarily as a means of making money to meet their economic needs. They may see what they do as “a job,” and look outside of work to provide fulfillment in other dimensions of their lives. But a significant portion of today’s population expects work to provide a great deal more than a living: yes, they are seeking remuneration, but they are also looking for additional elements such as fulfillment, status, the opportunity to be creative, make a social contribution, travel, engage with stimulating people and problems and more.