We're starting a monthly video series. It's called The D6 Faculty Feature. Every month Tanya will interview a different D6 faculty member. She will ask them all the same five questions so we can all get to know them a little bit better - personally and professionally.
Read MoreOne of my favorite things about having a small team at Diamond6 is that we know each other really well! We enjoy each other very much, have fun working together, support each other through personal and professional challenges. We also like to share ideas and resources for personal and professional development with each other. During our Monday staff meeting we had a brief conversation about books...what we're currently reading, what we've read recently, and books we hope to read again.
I call myself an eternal optimist (for better or worse). And, I am eternally optimistic that 2022 WILL be different. Even if the world around us isn't changing or evolving as quickly as we would like - change is still within our control. We can always change ourselves for the better.
Read MoreOn this Friday, (158 years ago!) on November 19th, 1863 Abraham Lincoln gave the infamous Gettysburg Address. And still, his vision and the words used to describe can be used as a lesson for contemporary leaders. Leaders must describe a vision for their organization and communicate it effectively. It is fundamental. Vision is a mental image of what the future world ought to be like and is important for several reasons.
Read MoreIn leadership, simplicity often works best. Thus one liners such as “leaders teach” are valuable for their simplicity and effectiveness. Some appointed “leaders” try to avoid the teaching role required of good and great leaders. However, teaching is essential for effective leadership because the development of others is likewise essential for the growth of the individual and especially for the growth and success of the team and organization.
Read MoreMany experts argue that effective modern leaders must be “thinkers,” those who can take time in solitude to consider what should be done and – and perhaps more importantly – why. Thinkers who question the routine can formulate new ideas and directions with independence, creativity, and flexibility.
Last week we lost a distinguished American leaders, trailblazer, and military officer. I greatly admired Colin Powell for not only his incredible leadership. I admired him, and still do, for his honesty, integrity, and courage to do what he felt was right. Even when it meant admitting he had been wrong or he chose to go against popular opinion.
Read MoreAs a leader you should always be developing those who are coming up behind you. Make sure that if, or when you leave, your organization or team won’t miss a beat. They will catch the ball and keep right on dribbling it down the court. Think about who may be able to fill your shoes should your time come to step aside, retire, or move to a new organization. How can you make this person your “brain double” and “shadow” advisor?
Read MoreMost Americans don’t know much about the American Revolution. All most of us remember from school is “taxation without representation”, dumping tea into Boston Harbor, and the minutemen on Lexington green. A few more learned about Valley Forge, a guy named von Steuben who trained troops there, and the final victory at Yorktown. Can useful lessons to be learned from a war fought two centuries ago? I submit the answer is a resounding Yes!
Read MoreBeing a leader feels tricky and complicated at times. And, there are days when it's just hard! On top of that, there just never seems to be enough time to read and implement all the things that will help us get better. If you're feeling overwhelmed we've got you covered! Today we're starting a "5-minute leadership" series.
Read More2-D diversity creates a space where “out of the box” thinking is encouraged, and “crazy ideas” are heard. Teams and organizations with inherent AND acquired diversity benefit from greater critical thinking, innovation, and creativity. You can accomplish great things, overcome big challenges, and create innovative solutions. 2-D diversity also massively improves your bottom line.
Read MoreTom is the author of Flight 93, The Story, the Aftermath, and the Legacy of American Courage on 9/11. What I find so captivating about Flight 93 is how a group of 40 people came together for a united cause in only a few short minutes. The unlikely leaders that emerged, seemingly out of nowhere, to do the unthinkable - during and after the tragedy.
As with any momentous news story, we will get more answers to these questions, and others, as time goes by. I strongly encourage you to remain curious, stay informed, and not to jump to conclusions too quickly. What we can do is analyze and discuss President Biden’s and his predecessor’s decisions and the immediate implications of them. There are three main thoughts I have about what we have seen over the last few weeks and how leaders can learn and act as we move forward….
Read MoreSimone Biles certainly captured the headlines about a month ago with her decision to withdraw, citing her mental health, and a case of the “twisties”. Her honesty and candor aid in continuing important conversations about humanity, empathy, and self-care. I want to talk about something else. I want to talk about WHAT made it possible for Biles to share her struggles and difficult decisions with the entire world.
Read MoreExtraordinary leader, Lily Din Woo needs our help. This selfless leader and all around incredible human being was diagnosed with Stage 4 Chronic Kidney Disease in 2018 and now has End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). Doctors advised Lily to seek a living kidney donor as soon as possible.
Read MoreAs a leader you should always be developing those who are coming up behind you. Make sure that if, or when you leave, your organization or team won’t miss a beat. They will catch the ball and keep right on dribbling it down the court. Think about who may be able to fill your shoes should your time come to step aside, retire, or move to a new organization. How can you make this person your “brain double” and “shadow” advisor?
Read MoreJuly 2nd, 1863 was the most important evenings in American history. On this evening two meetings took place. Both of which were focused on the central question of…“What are we going to do tomorrow?” HOW they answered this question and what they did changed us forever.
Read MoreAs the world opens up and we welcome some sense of normalcy back into our lives, navigating a post-pandemic world will continue to be incredibly stressful, and at times overwhelming. I would even go as far to say that leading yourself and caring for your mental health is most critical at this very moment. We owe it to ourselves and those we lead.
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