Coaching

Micah Pollster 20250418

(Influential Leadership) Choose Role Models Wisely

When I joined the Leadership Somerset program, we were all asked to name leaders.   Out came the obvious choices: Colin Powell, Abe Lincoln, George Washington, Alan Greenspan, and a host of other presidents, historical and political figures, business leaders, and role models, including the general category of “my parents”.   Then the facilitator asked, […]

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New suit

(Influential Leadership) Are You A Leader Or A Manager?

I heard an interview on National Public Radio with an international recruiter who commented that everyone can be a manager, but few are leaders.   Many assume themselves to be leaders because they have management authority. “Doesn’t my position as someone with people reporting to me make me a leader of people?”   I agree

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(Influential Leadership) Delegate Intelligently

Do you struggle with the concept of delegation?   If you are like most leaders, you do.   Delegation involves a dilemma: we want to give up the responsibility, but this is what we must keep. We also want to keep the authority, but this is what we must give up!   The three most common

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Made A Mistake

(Influential Leadership) Master Communications To Strengthen Relationships (Part 2)

Last time we shared key principles for how to have a conversation that truly empowers the relationship when misunderstandings occur.   Now let’s look at a real-life workplace situation and how to apply those principles to create a better relationship result.   Scenario: Where’s Bill?   Let’s start with the anatomy of this conversation.  

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Man Sitting On Bridge

(Influential Leadership) Master Communications To Strengthen Relationships

Last time we talked about a tool called The Reality Checklist (designed by Tony Robbins). This tool is very effective at helping one handle relational upsets in their personal and professional lives. You know, those misunderstandings that cause us to question another person’s intentions.   Now let’s look at the anatomy of a conversation that

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Man Sitting On Bridge

(Influential Leadership) Reality Bridging

It’s not unusual in the workplace to have upsets in relationships.  As an influential leader, you must be equipped to navigate these upsets.  Read this week’s tip for a phenomenal tool that will help you masterfully do this.   The Reality Bridging Technique How do you handle relational upsets in the workplace?   Most of

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Group On Top Of Rock

(Influential Leadership) Avoid The Blame Game

It’s tempting to cast blame when things go wrong.   This will not serve you well as leader.  See this advice from the exceptional consultant, Alan Weiss:   Find cause and not blame. We become preoccupied in business and life with finding a scapegoat, a villain, a conspirator.   Most problems simply occur through errors

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Group On Top Of Rock

(Influential Leadership) Are Leadership Skills Still Important?

A Right Management survey at the end of 2010 of over 2,000 human resource executives, hiring managers and recruiters across 17 countries had the surprising (to me) result that only slightly more than half of Asia-Pacific based respondents rated leadership skill and potential as the number one factor in hiring. Those in North America and

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Arms Raised In Front Of Audience

(Influential Leadership) Are You A Transformative Leader?

Here’s a quote from Bonnie Hatcock of Humana, HR Executive magazine’s 2007 HR Executive of the Year:   “As we mature as leaders, I think we all realize that it’s no longer about the answers. It’s about the questions – asking those well-placed, well-timed questions that help other people discover solutions.”   In other words,

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Feeding A Bird

(Influential Leadership) The Trust Test

  Do You Pass The Trust Test?   The global communications firm Ketchum has polled thousands of consumers across 12 countries several times over the past decade, and in the latest study just 24% believe leaders overall are providing effective leadership.  Clearly there’s a lot of room for improvement!   What do those respondents consider

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