Three Star Leadership Blog: Recent Comments

Comment on The Computer Virus and Human Nature

Wally Bock — 2012-02-09T22:01:06Z

Thanks for the kind words and the quote, Laura.

Comment on The Computer Virus and Human Nature

Laura — 2012-02-09T21:27:33Z

Fabulous blog. I can so relate to have a "virus", not always a computer virus, infect my day, week, my life. One of my favorite quote sums up your comment on leadership. "Circumstances don't make a man, they reveal him," William James

Thank you for the reminder.

Comment on Learning to Cook, Learning to Lead

Wally Bock — 2012-02-09T20:34:20Z

That's a great point, Dan. You could say that he had the "growth mindset" that Carol Dweck writes about

Comment on Learning to Cook, Learning to Lead

Wally Bock — 2012-02-09T20:29:07Z

Thanks for those great comments, Mike. I remember those days well. I remember making some huge mistakes that I might have avoided with just a little training. I also remember that most of the advice I got from books and academics was long on theory and short on specifics. I discovered the power of role models on my own and I found some mentors (or they found me) who helped me learn a lot. I tried to put all of that into my training and my Working Supervisor's Support Kit.

I can shape my materials around actual behaviors that work for top performing supervisors. In the classroom, I can help new bosses learn from the good bosses they've had. What is still amazingly hard to do is get organizations to provide coaching and peer support on the job. There things are better than they were, but most of the coaching budget seems to be spent on the executive suite.

Comment on Learning to Cook, Learning to Lead

Dan in Philly — 2012-02-09T17:02:38Z

Grandson demonstrated one reason why kids are good learners: they know they don't know anything. They approach the experience of learning to cook assuming everything they want to know they must learn and/or be taught.

A newly minted manager might make the mistake that his/her prior experience and success has prepared them for management. As such, they might not be open to admitting how little they know and might not be willing to learn/be taught. Truly, the ones who know it all will never learn anything new.

Comment on Learning to Cook, Learning to Lead

Mike Brown — 2012-02-09T13:20:51Z

Wally,

Good stuff... I remember early in my career when I worked at a big bank - I was sent to one of those training sessions and then was told to get out there and manage... Don't get me wrong - I was excited about being "The Manager" - but I had no coaching support and you can imagine how some of that played out...

You don't learn how to manage until things blow up - and you figure out how to pick up the pieces... Some time it is good to learn some lessons on your own - but most times we would all benefit by being told not to touch the oven burner - because it is hot...

Mike

Comment on 2/7/12: By and About Leaders

Wally Bock — 2012-02-08T12:59:22Z

You're quite welcome. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.

Comment on 2/7/12: By and About Leaders

Laura — 2012-02-08T12:10:07Z

How striking it is for me that in each instance, how powerful leadership is when there is focus and accountability.
Thank you.

Comment on What if leadership wasn't a promotion?

Wally Bock — 2012-02-04T20:45:49Z

Thanks for the kind words, Laura. I think readers will also want to click through to your post for some more ideas on how things will change.

Comment on What if leadership wasn't a promotion?

Laura Schroeder — 2012-02-04T19:34:23Z

Wally, I think this is one of my favorite posts! I linked to it here: "Who Moved my Manager."