Nova Blog Archive

In the formalized relationships of business where the manager has the authority to direct and evaluate the activities of others, make decisions and resolve disputes, power isn’t evenly distributed.  This means that the power differentials in manager-employee relationships don’t necessarily reflect actual differences in ability.  For instance, managers may supervise people who carry out activities they couldn’t do themselves or do as well, such as write advertising copy or engineer new products.

Where did all the innovation articles go? In the start of the year, innovation held tight the reins of the "Buzz Wagon" and a google search would result in a few well written and encouraging words on the subject. Has innovation since fallen off the wagon, or has it piled into the carriage along with its friends to become part of the journey?

I think its probably joined the gang, at least for now, as something we know we need but not always know how to use. In short, here are some words that we know to be true and others we would like to be true. 

A few days ago I was in the West of the United States working with a client that is training all their managers how to be effective coaches. I always have confidence that my organization will put comprehensive, quality training in place. What keeps me up nights is how to make sure a culture is created that sustains the competencies learned by the managers in the training program.

I am in New York at the Conference Board’s premier Executive Coaching Conference that attracts senior people from all over the world involved in leadership coaching.  This year’s conference theme is Meeting the Leadership Needs in the Changing Landscape of Business.  It is clear that the landscape of coaching leaders is changing as well.  Studies now show that 70 to 80% of leaders are not adding value, even with all the focus on coaching leaders t