MAY 2021

Becoming a Best Boss

Ann Phillips, a senior consulting partner with The Ken Blanchard Companies, loves conducting a Best Boss/Worst Boss exercise as a part of the SLII^® leadership development program she facilitates. This fun activity not only allows participants to share stories of their experiences with great leaders, it gives Ann a chance to reminisce as well. She especially loves sharing stories about her first best boss, Jerry Nutter.

“Jerry Nutter was my first best boss,” says Phillips. “I was part of a young, inexperienced staff Jerry had working for him at the YMCA where I was a program director. He was great at giving each of us what we needed to be successful."

Phillips says when participants describe their best bosses, the stories may be different, the words may not be exactly the same, but similar attributes come up time and again.

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WEBINAR
Becoming a Best Boss—The 3 Secrets of Great Leaders
May 19, 2021

Senior consulting partner Ann Phillips shares how to create an environment where people find exceptional meaning in their work, achieve high performance faster, and, ultimately, remember your organization as a great place to work.

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Improving Leadership Skills for Sales Leaders at Intuitive Surgical

“As business becomes more complex and we hire new people, it’s critical to give our sales leaders a method for increasing the effectiveness of the conversations they have with their direct reports,” says Duke Moseley, director of sales leadership development.

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PODCAST
Determining Your Span of Control with Carey Lohrenz

Carey Lohrenz shares the fundamentals of surviving and succeeding during times of crisis from her new book, Span of Control: What to Do When You’re Under Pressure, Overwhelmed, and Ready to Get What You Really Want.

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“Contrary to what some believe, people don’t actually resist change. They resist being controlled,” says Ken Blanchard. “High involvement lessens feelings of being controlled and builds momentum for the change."

POINT-OF-VIEW
Critical Skills Every Sales Manager Needs to Excel

Put simply, a sales manager has the power to lift or derail their team. But many sales managers, especially those new to their role, will struggle to lead effectively. This has significant costs that drag down the entire enterprise.

Why a Situational Approach to Leadership Makes All the Difference

Employees need different levels of direction and support depending on their level of competence and commitment. Problems occur if managers use only one or two leadership styles that they apply to everyone, in every situation. Blanchard research looks at the positive impact created when leaders give their people exactly what they need, when they need it.

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