As humans, we converse through the power of language every day. When we work as a team in a shared endeavor, like the workplace, we often engage in conversations, that often, but not always, involve the spoken word. It is not likely that anyone will exist in the modern workplace for long without at some […]
Author Archives: Jeffrey Thomason
The False Choice of “Character” versus “Results” – Developing People
posted by Jeffrey Thomason
Recently, the Chairman of the Joint Chief’s of Staff, Martin Dempsey, noted that the character deficencies of the senior leaders of the services required special attention. The general said that officers who had “incredible” character but poor professional competence, and those who were high-achievers but who “did not live a life of character” were of […]
Of Swamps and Alligators… – Focusing On Outcomes
posted by Jeffrey Thomason
A couple of posts at Leadership Freak made me recall the old bromide that “when you are up to your neck in alligators, it is of little use to contemplate that you had originally intended to drain the swamp.” There are probably a few ways to interpret this thought but the theme appears to be […]
The Groundhog Day Effect – Professional Presence
posted by Jeffrey Thomason
One of the usual phenomena of a “career” is the inevitable conclusion that you have done this before. Whether it is an assignment, or a situation, or simply the mood you bring into the office, everyone reaches a point where something seems pretty familiar. It is not surprising then that our response follows the same […]
What Color is Your Marshmallow? – Lead With Maturity and Passion
posted by Jeffrey Thomason
Richard Bolles classic 1970 career advice book “What Color is Your Parachute?”, has provided over 40 years of job seekers with sage wisdom in the art of marketing you and your skills towards a successful job search. It is consistently listed as one of the Top 5 career advice books. In many ways, Bolles’ theories […]
Yes…you are a Rocket Scientist – Research and Leadership Effectiveness
posted by Jeffrey Thomason
>People who lead have fascinated social scientists for over a century, which has led to more research than you can read in a single sitting. The most critical finding about leadership is that it is both a science and an art. There are clear findings about what works but equally clear findings that knowing what […]
Everyone Needs a Trophy – Recognizing and Celebrating Achievement
posted by Jeffrey Thomason
Among the many popular researchers of the generational differences in the workplace is Bruce Tulgan. Besides well-received books on managing Generations X and Y, Mr. Tulgan has written 16 other books on a variety of workplaces issues and concerns. Along the way, Mr. Tulgan takes on and largely dismantles myths commonly held about how different […]
Starting Over With Someone – Managing Conflict
posted by Jeffrey Thomason
So, your boss/coworker/employee drives you crazy? Dread the email or phone call you know will come on Monday, or after you sent out a communication? Are there certain situations you avoid because of “what happened before”? Over at “Leadership Freak”, Dan Rockwell identifies the biggest obstacle to starting over with someone whom you have crossed […]
Got Toxic? – Lead With Maturity and Passion
posted by Jeffrey Thomason
Over the last 10 years, the US Army has noticed something that the corporate world has known for a long time. To wit, a jerk boss can really cause damage in an organization. As one of the armed services defined by its relationship to the civilian-led Department of Defense, the Army is required to be […]
Change Champion?
posted by Jeffrey Thomason
Chances are you may have been a change champion in your path to leadership. It’s hard to be the opposite (The Change Killer?…Darth Change?) since change is a part of any organization. My first experience with someone really distilling the organizational effects of change on the individual was Spencer Johnson’s book from 15 years ago […]
Put me in the game, Coach! – Acting as a Coach and Mentor
posted by Jeffrey Thomason
Coaching and mentoring are two skills that all good leaders practice often and well, while the leaders at the lower end of the employee satisfaction survey…well, not so much. Is there a difference between the two? For the purposes of this post, we will treat these as different levels of focus using similar skills. The […]
Let’s have a meeting! – Communicating Effectively
posted by Jeffrey Thomason
Meetings can be a Dickensian see-saw of “the best of times and the worst of times”. Chances are, if you are the team leader, you’ll need to organize one at some point. This is an opportunity to communicate in very clear terms what the future will be for anyone tapped to attend one of your […]
So you are management now – Professional Presence
posted by Jeffrey Thomason
Welcome! If this is what you dreamed about, ouch. It might turn out that way, but more than likely, the moments you recall down the road won’t happen in here. Right away, did you notice a change in how people act around you? Do they seem a bit more guarded? Perhaps over-the-top friendly beyond any […]
Why?
posted by Jeffrey Thomason
Welcome to The Front of The Jersey. The purpose of this blog is to provide a resource to everyone who aspires to lead, and to be led, to the best of their abilities. Leadership is about doing your homework, showing up, and leaning forward. The art and practice of leadership has been underway since man […]
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