OUR Leadership BLOG

Dr. Paul Metler | 2/7/2017

Open and not closed
 
A leader who is open is poised for opportunity. When you are open, you can embrace learning in the present and lift your eyes toward the horizon with hope and optimism. Openness is a sign you have lived, experienced some pain along the way, and emerged better rather than bitter. It is a testimony that you are eager to learn again.

Dr. Paul Metler | 2/5/2017

What We Do
 
InitiativeOne transforms leaders and their organizations, helping them foster high impact work cultures defined by authenticity, transparency, safe environments and deep respect.
 
InitiativeOne propels companies toward improved results by transforming their leaders and their respective teams. We teach them how to function more effectively in an informed age that demands entirely new ways of inspiring and leading people. In a world that no longer views competence or position as the foundation for effective leadership, leaders must learn how to lead through trust, respectful relationships, authentic behavior and pro-active thinking.

Dr. Paul Metler | 1/30/2017

Mention the word accountability and most leaders immediately envision a punitive system to address failed commitments and broken promises. At InitiativeOne, we understand that developing a culture of positive accountability requires much more than a scorecard involving measurement, review, and punitive consequences. A culture of positive accountability is the result of an intentional process to create a healthy leadership culture. We have helped many leaders understand and practice five powerful building blocks that transform accountability into a positive experience.

Dr. Paul Metler | 12/27/2016

The last week of the year rushes in. It’s year-end and the pressure to wrap things up includes numbers of tasks. As a leader, the way you finish this year can propel you to your best start next year. You won’t find any tax advice here, but you may find a few borrowed accounting terms.

Dr. Paul Metler | 12/13/2016

It’s the time of year when strategic thoughts are heightened. Leaders think about strategy and there’s a pretty good chance if you haven’t had one already there will be a strategic meeting just around the corner. Be honest, when you’re staring at that strategic meeting invite, you’re not all that excited.  Strategic planning meetings do not always create raving fans. Instead of an outburst of exuberance, you are more likely to roll your eyes and yawn.

Dr. Paul Metler | 11/28/2016

Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple.
Dr. Seuss
The seasons change. It’s amazing how quickly focus shifts this time of year from gratitude to shopping. As I track the media coverage of online sales, traffic and the crowds and mayhem at the malls, I infer that there will be millions shopping for the perfect “gifts” to give.

Dr. Paul Metler | 11/7/2016

Leaders don’t always have the answers. Sometimes the answers are difficult to deliver. What do Healthy Leaders say when they don’t know what to say?
 
The truth.

Dr. Paul Metler | 10/28/2016

Most of us have had the dreaded experience. It’s a cold dreary night. You open the car door, sit down and put the key in the ignition. It’s a mindless exercise. Without thinking, you turn the key or push the ignition button. Your unconscious expectation is interrupted by silence. You expect to hear the engine start. Instead, nothing happens. The battery is dead. There is a momentary pause as you grip the steering wheel, drop your head and roll your eyes. After the initial wave of frustration, you click through your mental checklist. Did I leave my lights on? Was the door ajar? What caused the drain on my battery?

Dr. Paul Metler | 8/31/2016

You live in a world of unprecedented convenience. Let’s say you want to go to the theatre and watch a movie tonight. You can touch an app, check and see what’s showing, read a few reviews and buy tickets in a matter of moments. For that matter, you could change your mind, decide you don’t want to go out and decide to watch a movie on your phone. You could even share your experience with others. Why not critique the plot, post a review or text a friend while you watch?

Dr. Paul Metler | 8/15/2016

When Daniel Goleman wrote about the relationship of emotions and behavior over twenty years ago, references to Emotional Intelligence were not all that common. Today, it’s hard to overlook the articles and books that describe one aspect or another of leadership through the lens of neuroscience. Despite all the breakthroughs in science and our understanding of leadership practices, actual behavior remains a challenge. Where’s the progress? The words published by Goleman in 1995 seem a bit ominous. Goleman emphasized the importance of right behavior by reaching back to the ethical writings of Aristotle.