GovLearning: ASTD and The Public Manager

Comment

Comment by Andrew Krzmarzick on August 31, 2010 at 10:06am

Great blog post for trainers:
http://www.govloop.com/profiles/blogs/success-rule-5-create-your

Excerpt:
"It‘s not always enough just to know your job. Be known for something different than everyone else, become a Subject Matter Expert (SME). It has to be useful and relevant and in doing so it will not only attract the attention of your boss but also your friends, co-workers and others who upon learning about your unique set of skills or knowledge can bring opportunities your way.

In my industry (professional speakers/trainers) many of my peers and friends do exactly that, they brand themselves as SMEs..."

Comment by Andrew Krzmarzick on August 5, 2010 at 11:34am

How do you know if your training really sticks?

Great post by John Bordeaux:

"You Don't Know What You Think You Know"
http://www.govloop.com/profiles/blogs/you-dont-know-what-you-think

(WARNING: Includes scary photo of bat-like creature ;-)

Comment by Gary Berg-Cross on July 30, 2010 at 9:00am

It is probably safere to say that leaders aren't born outright but like great artists are born with traits and potential that gets realized in the right environments with the right experience. You can read about some of these ideas in Gladwell's Outliers.

You get a sense of some important traits for different types of leadership. For challenging the status quo, one needs youthful rebelliousness and perhaps a spirit of adventure - the urge to explore, break new ground, challenge the power, stand up for what you believe, risk rejection, rebel against authority, innovate.

This is a character trait that varies early in life and is less a learned skill. But experience may provide an idea or issue a leader think is worth saying, to improve the world around them.

Other leadership traits or qualities:

An ability to influence - by example, logical argument, enthusiasm, persistence or painting a visionary picture. Some traits are involved here but some techniques can be learned.

Courage is important and that can develop from a tendency to positive experience where people learn to speak out and risk the possibility of group rejection. Leaders have an ability to feel the group position but not be dominated by it.

Leaders need not have a drive to dominate people (some do) but, desire to for recognition making a mark.

Comment by Andrew Krzmarzick on July 21, 2010 at 11:38am

In her featured blog post, Doris Tirone offers her answer to an age-old question:

"True leaders are born into these roles; everyone does not have it in them to be an effective leader."

Do you agree? Respond below:
http://www.govloop.com/profiles/blogs/effective-leader-great-manager