Leadership Pillows

'Who vetted that leader?'

'So, how bad is it? Who can bring me up to speed?'

ChairWOman of the Federal Reserve.

'We have two options. Boldly tackle the challenges ahead, or hold off and hope an asteroid strikes.'

"Obviously, wishful thinking alone won't turn things around. It's going to take wishful thinking combined with some powerful new jargon!"

"Well, then, it's unanimous."

"Looks like we found the issue."

"It's a full-blown empathy attack!. . . help me sneak him out of here before this thing spreads through the entire company!"

"Basically, we have two options: #1: Do what I suggest because I'm the boss and I say so. Or, #2: I launch into an excruciatingly dull, long and detailed presentation explaining my position. You decide."

Theresa May

Michael Gove at the Head Teachers' Conference: 'Mr Gove. We're not angry, we're just disappointed.'

"No one could believe their eyes. Yet there he stood. In just three hours, fifty-one minutes and nine seconds, office supervisor Frank Fernlaw had proven that he very well COULD manage his way out of a wet paper bag, thank you very much."

"So let's roll up our sleeves and show that America still builds the world's greatest advertising."

The Department of Lessons Learned...

"Tom, mentoring is more than encouraging people to be just like you."

Giving feedback is a complex process.

'I'm confident that with the right mix of role-playing exercises and prescription medication we'll make a cohesive team.'

"What can we do about this leadership course,,," "I don't know,what do you think" "Isn't there anyone we could ask"

'Apparently many companies experience problems including: a lack of direction, poor accountability, lack of respect among members, pushing personal agendas, poor communication ...'

The emergence of a leader.

We can do ANYTHING if we all work TOGETHER.

'My job is to make decisions. Your job is to make them good decisions.'

'So what you're saying is that we've been defunct and out of business for over two years and you've just been waiting for the right time to tell me?'

Desk plaque: 'The buck pauses, but does not actually stop here.'

Come over here.

'Say hello, everyone, to Bert Phelps. He'll be taking the job of security manager for our entire poultry products division!'

"When I said to convince him of the need for change I was hoping you'd use the seductive power of reason and logic."

'So, now we have ascertained who is responsible...'

'No, this is not Mel's secretary. This is Mel.'

'I'm trying to decide if it's more likely I know nothing about leading or everyone I work with knows nothing about following.'

'See how much easier it is when we all work together.'

"Despite years of management training john still found it difficult to give negative feedback."

Well the good news is that you'll be leading the team...And the BAD news...you ARE the team!

'Now this is exactly what I was referring to when I talked about 'scope creep'.'

"I like things to be done my way but by somebody else."