Weaving Influence has the privilege of hosting the January 2024 Leadership Development Carnival! We’re excited to share posts from leadership experts from around the globe on the topics of communication, development, engagement, motivation, productivity, team building, and more.
Communication
David Grossman of The Grossman Group provided What Is Crisis Communication? A Best Practices Guide for Leaders. David shares: “Whether it’s big issues or small disruptions, how leaders respond to the situation makes all the difference in securing the company’s reputation and maintaining the confidence and trust of employees. This guide shows you how.” Follow David on Twitter at @ThoughtPartner.
Diana Peterson-More shared Communication Resolutions for 2024: Five Key Tips. Diana explains: “Year-end is a time for reflection, renewal, and commitment, often through pledging to New Year’s Resolutions. For 2024, why not embrace a quote from an admired historical figure that informs communication? After all, it’s something we do 24×7, whether we want to or not, and whether we intend to or not. By focusing on how we communicate, we may have more successful results.” Find Diana on Twitter at @DianaPMAuthor.
Karin Hurt of Let’s Grow Leaders provided 4 Communication Strategies for an Unpopular Return to Office Decision. Karin shares: “As a leader, not every decision you make will be popular. Sometimes you’ll be tasked with delivering news that you know won’t be popular. How to communicate an unpopular “return to office” decision with grace.” Follow Karin on Twitter at @letsgrowleaders.
John Stoker of DialogueWORKS contributed 10 Behaviors to Avoid When Talking about Tough Topics. John writes: “Holding difficult conversations offers a variety of challenges. Given the nature of the topic, there are certain behaviors that everyone should avoid when talking about difficult issues. This article will identify those behaviors that should be omitted from your tool kit when attempting to talk about what matters most.” Connect with John on Twitter at @JohnRStoker.
Development
Ken Byler of Higher Ground Consulting Group contributed The Gift of Presence. Ken writes: “Most leaders I know seem wired for activity and take pleasure in preparing, doing, or fixing. Few of us surrender to the quiet presence that is needed to think clearly and make wise choices.” Connect with Ken on LinkedIn.
Frank Sonnenberg shared Be Kind and Considerate…It’s More Than Just a Catchy Phrase. Frank explains: “Although slogans are great, they’re just words. The key is to treat people that way.” Connect with Frank on Twitter at @FSonnenberg.
Julie Winkle Giulioni shared Give Yourself and Others the Gift of Mentorship (This Holiday Season and All Year Long). Julie explains: “The talent development strategy of mentorship is getting a lot of attention these days. From books to boardrooms, everyone is trying to crack the code and tap its potential and power. Consider these 6 ways you can personally benefit from the process.” Connect with Julie on LinkedIn.
Dana Theus of InPower Coaching writes 2023 Career Audit: How Much Worklife Bliss Did You Achieve? Dana explains: “How are you doing in your career? Are you where you want to be? Is everything hunky dory? Do you end every day at work glad to be alive? If every answer isn’t an enthusiastic YES! Then it’s time to do a career audit and see just how much “bliss” you’ve got in your work and life. It may even be time for a Worklife Reset to get yourself on track.” Find Dana on Twitter at @DanaTheus.
Bill Treasurer of Giant Leap Consulting contributed Keeping an Opportunity Mindset. Bill explains: “In a world often governed by fear and uncertainty, embracing an opportunity mindset is not just refreshing but transformative. This mindset shifts our focus from avoiding threats to seizing the chances for growth and development. It’s about understanding that opportunities are not just external chances that come our way, but are created and nurtured by leaders who understand their power to change lives.” Connect with Bill on LinkedIn.
Mary Ila Ward of Horizon Point Consulting shared SPECIAL FEATURE! BBB Torch Awards Speech. Mary writes: “Character is innate. It is a fixed characteristic. You are born with it or you aren’t. Putting this another way, character is a will issue, not a skill issue. We talk about skill and will a lot in the work we do and often say, hire for will (because it is static, innate, not changing) and train for skill (because it can be learned and people can acquire and grow in skills), but what if character is a skill?” Find Mary on Twitter at @maryilaward.
Jon Verbeck provided Progress and Growth: Things I Learned in 2023. Jon writes: “At this time of year, I’m usually pushing to finish strong, both personally and professionally. I’m helping my clients get ready for a quick year-end close and effective kickstart to the new year. I’m finishing my own planning and goal setting as well because I like to start each year with a clear direction and strategy. I thought it might be helpful to share some of the things I learned and experimented with this year.” Follow Jon on Twitter at @jonverbeck1.
Randy Conley of Leading with Trust shared A Simple Truth about Leading with Integrity. Randy shares: “Virtually everyone agrees that integrity is critical to being a successful leader, but few have a defined plan of how to develop it. In this post, Randy Conley shares a game plan from his recent book, Simple Truths of Leadership Playbook, that any leader can follow to increase their integrity.” Connect with Randy on Twitter at @RandyConley.
Dan Oestreich provided Three Voices: Truth, Kindness and Destiny. Dan summarizes: “Over time, I’ve come to feel there are three internal voices that influence our larger choices. This is a metaphorical way of saying things — the voices I’m talking about are just patterns of thought and perception.” Find Dan on Twitter at @DanOestreich.
PRODUCTIVITY
Sean Glaze of Great Results Team Building shared Mirrors, Windows, and a More Successful 2024 with Reflection. Sean writes: “It is only natural to begin to look forward and to direct your focus to the things you anticipate and things you want to accomplish in 2024. We look out windows every day as we consider what might be possible. And as the new year approaches, the tendency is to look ahead. Looking out windows is helpful. Windows gives us a vision of what is possible… what is ahead for us.” Find Sean on Twitter at @leadyourteam.
Eileen McDargh contributed A Clue for Balance: PATIENCE, NOW! Eileen explains: “I admit that I am, at times, inpatient. So, is this a behavioral flaw? A personality trait? Answer: it’s not a flaw but it is behavior that has no genetic bearing. It can be altered.” Connect with Eileen on Twitter at @macdarling.
Neal Burgis of Successful Solutions contributed Happy New Year & Welcome 2024. Neal explains: “As you bid farewell to 2023 and welcome 2024, prepare for a year of growth, innovation, and success. By following these tips and staying committed to your vision, you can set the stage for a prosperous year ahead. January is an opportune time to lay the groundwork for a year brimming with accomplishments and progress.” Follow Neal on Twitter at @exec_solutions.
Marcia Reynolds of Covisioning Transformational Leadership provided 3 Questions to Balance Hope with Reality. Marcia shares: “How do know when to hope and when to let go? These three questions will help you choose what is the right action to take.” Connect with Marcia on Twitter at @marciareynolds.
Creativity/Inspiration
Marcella Bremer of Positive Culture contributed Let’s Prepare for a Positive Future. Marcella considers: “Let’s prepare for 2024. Preparing means learning and adapting, training resilience and skills. Read this selection of articles on organizational culture, change, and positive leadership to inspire!” Follow Marcella on Twitter at @MarcellaBremer.
Robyn McLeod provided Is the Life You Imagine One You’re Ready to Live? Robyn summarizes: “While it is easy to let the ‘until’s stop us, it is also possible to dive in and live the lives we’ve imagined now. We have the chance – and the choice – to begin living our imagined lives today.” Find Robyn on Twitter at @ThoughtfulLdrs.
OTher
Jon Lokhorst of Lokhorst Consulting shared 2 Types of Goals You Need to Succeed in the New Year. Jon explains: “Research shows that 90% of businesses fail to achieve their strategic goals. The success rate for individuals is even lower, with an astounding 92% of people missing the mark. How can you increase your likelihood of success? Using this two-part goal-setting structure will get you closer to achieving your goals in 2024 and beyond.” Find Jon on Twitter at @jonlokhorst.
Angela Hummel of Angela Hummel Consulting writes The Leader’s Role in Blending Workplace Cultures. Angela shares: “During transitions, leaders often talk about the need for collaboration and connection early in the process, only to be long-forgotten words, not actions. The successful integration of workplace cultures can only happen through intentional and purposeful leadership to make the combined organizational masterpiece possible.” Follow Angela on Twitter at @AngelaJHummel.
Thank you to everyone who submitted articles for this month’s carnival! If you would like to be added to the distribution list for submission calls, please fill out this form and we’ll be happy to add you to the list.
I am the founder/CEO of the Weaving Influence team, the author of Reach: Creating the Biggest Possible Audience for Your Message, Book, or Cause, and the host of the Book Marketing Action Podcast. I’m a wife and mom of three kids, and I enjoy running, reading, writing, coffee, and dark chocolate.