The management philosophy and statement of “doing more with less” first appeared in 2008/2009 among management groups due to the financial crisis in the United States. That philosophy never really seemed to make sense, but it still lingers in organizations and especially in government organizations in their ways of thinking. Although this isn't talked about this way now, there is still an expectation that people will continue to perform and even increase performance even wi

Most leadership and followership scholars and practitioners tend to talk about trust as a simple measurement of quantity, as if trust exists only in terms of “how much” trust one person has in another. In this view, trust is often treated like a fixed amount on a scale ranging from low trust to high trust, or as something that is either present or absent altogether. Conversations about trust in leadership and followership commonly reflect this supposition through statements s

I was talking with a colleague the other day and she mentioned that she wants to learn how to motivate people better. I casually mentioned that she can’t motivate others, she can only motivate herself and the others have to also be self-motivated. She then asked my opinion of all the leadership articles, posters, social media posts, and training people who talk about motivating others. I responded, saying when many leadership trainers talk about motivating, what they are r

Leadership Development: Understanding the Interplay of Leadership and Followership Leadership development has traditionally focused on authority, decision-making, and influence from the top down. Followership, by contrast, is often treated as an assumed condition, something that naturally occurs once leadership is established. Research and practice suggest otherwise. Leadership and followership are interdependent processes. When leaders fail to intentionally engage followers,

The Problem of Leadership Context On many social media platforms, "leadership" is often discussed as if it exists in a single, ubiquitous environment. This perspective assumes universal rules apply equally across all types of organizations in a "one-size-fits-all manner." From a scientific leadership perspective, this assumption oversimplifies a far more complex reality. Leadership is a process, not a role or title. It emerges through dynamic repetitions of behaviors—the pat

Leadership is frequently described as a collection of skills, the ability to strategize, communicate, coordinate, and inspire. Yet research increasingly shows that the deeper determinant of effective leadership is not what leaders do, but who they are (Bass & Bass, 2008; Ciulla, 2020). Character is the underlying substrate that shapes a leader’s choices, influences how others perceive them, and ultimately defines the legacy they leave behind. “Character is the ethical spine

When I first stepped into a leadership role, I quickly realized that communication was not just about talking or sending emails. It was the lifeblood of every successful project, team, and organization. Without clear, consistent, and purposeful communication, even the best strategies can fall apart. So, what exactly makes communication effective in the workplace? How can we harness it to boost productivity, morale, and overall success? Let’s dive into the world of workplace

A Lesson from History and The Case of Brigadier General William ‘Billy’ Mitchell In today’s fast-paced business and leadership/followership environment, we often laud disruptive thinkers, grand strategists and outside-the-box innovators. But we sometimes forget how uncomfortable, even dangerous, those roles can be for the person performing them. The story of Brigadier General William “Billy” Mitchell offers a powerful example of this dynamic, and a cautionary tale for organiz

Abstract The mirror neuron system (MNS) provides a neurobiological foundation for understanding human connection, learning, and social behavior. Discovered in the early 1990s, mirror neurons activate both when an individual performs an action and when they observe another performing that same action. This dual activation underlies empathy, imitation, and observational learning. Albert Bandura’s social learning theory (1977) complements this neuroscience by explaining how peop

In today’s fast-paced work environment, effective communication is not just a nice-to-have skill; it’s a must-have. Whether you’re leading a team, collaborating with colleagues, or managing clients, how you convey your ideas can make or break your success. But what does it really mean to communicate professionally? And how can we sharpen these skills in a way that feels natural and impactful? Let’s dive into the world of professional communication tips that will help you con

When I think about what truly sets transformational leaders apart, it’s not just their vision or communication skills. It’s something...

In the private sector businesses or non-profit organizations, leaders are expected to keep organizations functional, efficient, and...

Building a successful team is like nurturing a garden. You start with seeds - individuals with unique skills and personalities. Over...

Collaboration is the heartbeat of any successful team. But how do we truly enhance it? It’s not just about working together; it’s about...

Comparing Human vs Animal Violent Behavior: Not Motivated by Need for Food Introduction People don’t usually eat or kill each other for...

When organizations struggle with leadership challenges, the immediate assumption is often that the leader’s style is at fault. We hear...

Wait…How praise can become demotivating? We’ve all been taught to “ Praise in public and criticize in private,” this is a very famous...

Preface: I wrote this in 2012, shortly after starting my cancer treatments at UCSF. This is what happened on the first day of my UCSF...

In a recent interview I was asked by a Financial Advisor who helps train other Financial Advisors how they can prepare for their own...

Ethical behavior is widely promoted as essential for organizational health, personal integrity, and societal trust. However, what is...