Comments on: The Gentle Leader http://www.bluepointleadership.com/blog/gregg-thompson/the-gentle-leader/ Bluepoint Blog Fri, 18 May 2012 00:07:22 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: UGG Boots http://www.bluepointleadership.com/blog/gregg-thompson/the-gentle-leader/#comment-4300 UGG Boots Wed, 10 Feb 2010 05:10:47 +0000 http://www.bluepointleadership.com/blog/?p=89#comment-4300 I found this article useful in a paper I am writing at university. Hopefully, I get an A+ now! Thanks Bernice Franklin <a href="http://www.uggworld.eu" rel="nofollow">UGG Boots</a> I found this article useful in a paper I am writing at university. Hopefully, I get an A+ now!

Thanks

Bernice Franklin

UGG Boots

]]> By: Ivar Berntz http://www.bluepointleadership.com/blog/gregg-thompson/the-gentle-leader/#comment-4203 Ivar Berntz Mon, 01 Feb 2010 20:12:50 +0000 http://www.bluepointleadership.com/blog/?p=89#comment-4203 Gregg, while I couldn't agree more with you that, with Gen Y coming into the market plus the carryover effect of all the promises that were broken by employers in search of shortcuts to profitability in the past, the current work environment is ripe for change. On the other hand, I believe that there are only a few companies out there willing to stand up for their people in a way that creates room for such a "soft" leadership style in which the leader acts as a 'primus inter pares'. How can we identify such companies? Gregg,

while I couldn’t agree more with you that, with Gen Y coming into the market plus the carryover effect of all the promises that were broken by employers in search of shortcuts to profitability in the past, the current work environment is ripe for change. On the other hand, I believe that there are only a few companies out there willing to stand up for their people in a way that creates room for such a “soft” leadership style in which the leader acts as a ‘primus inter pares’. How can we identify such companies?

]]> By: Sushil Baveja http://www.bluepointleadership.com/blog/gregg-thompson/the-gentle-leader/#comment-4197 Sushil Baveja Sun, 31 Jan 2010 16:52:18 +0000 http://www.bluepointleadership.com/blog/?p=89#comment-4197 A very insightful and thought-provoking perspective, Gregg ! A great article ! A very insightful and thought-provoking perspective, Gregg ! A great article !

]]> By: Dianne http://www.bluepointleadership.com/blog/gregg-thompson/the-gentle-leader/#comment-4133 Dianne Sun, 24 Jan 2010 10:44:19 +0000 http://www.bluepointleadership.com/blog/?p=89#comment-4133 Great article Gregg! I've been seeing a steady decline in morale in every organization I work with from around 2003. Despite huge volumes of cash that were thrown around, people actually seemed even less motivated. Phrases like "quality of life" and "slow track" were being mentioned more often, especially by women in the workforce. Basically people had to be bribed with more and more to just keep going. I am concerned that the change to a more community-orientated leadership style won't happen on its own. We have so many aggressive, macho empire-builders at the top of our enterprises and they aren't going to change the constitution of their board because a few people "see the light". So often the right gentle leaders are put at a middle management level, while top managers continue to make the big money by acting like wolves. I believe that discussion like your article needs to happen. And then people need to leave the organisation they are with - either to launch or to join organisations that treat them like human beings and not like "assets". In this economy where jobs are tough, and people have been told for years that they are just "costs", that is going to be a courageous move to make. I've republished this on www.leaderlibrary.org - a community site I've establish to try to re-enthuse leaders around passion for leadership not passion for personal gain. It will automatically be re-published to Twitter. Good luck with your book! Please consider restering as an author on the Leaders Library. Dianne Volek Great article Gregg!

I’ve been seeing a steady decline in morale in every organization I work with from around 2003. Despite huge volumes of cash that were thrown around, people actually seemed even less motivated. Phrases like “quality of life” and “slow track” were being mentioned more often, especially by women in the workforce. Basically people had to be bribed with more and more to just keep going.

I am concerned that the change to a more community-orientated leadership style won’t happen on its own. We have so many aggressive, macho empire-builders at the top of our enterprises and they aren’t going to change the constitution of their board because a few people “see the light”. So often the right gentle leaders are put at a middle management level, while top managers continue to make the big money by acting like wolves.

I believe that discussion like your article needs to happen. And then people need to leave the organisation they are with - either to launch or to join organisations that treat them like human beings and not like “assets”. In this economy where jobs are tough, and people have been told for years that they are just “costs”, that is going to be a courageous move to make.

I’ve republished this on http://www.leaderlibrary.org - a community site I’ve establish to try to re-enthuse leaders around passion for leadership not passion for personal gain. It will automatically be re-published to Twitter.

Good luck with your book! Please consider restering as an author on the Leaders Library.

Dianne Volek

]]> By: Maxine B. http://www.bluepointleadership.com/blog/gregg-thompson/the-gentle-leader/#comment-4131 Maxine B. Sun, 24 Jan 2010 05:59:41 +0000 http://www.bluepointleadership.com/blog/?p=89#comment-4131 Right on the money. I was a "worker" laid off after 39 years in 2007 from a very large corporation. I was glad to go as my heart was no longer in it as the leadership seemed to be focused on themselves, cutting back our raises but still ensuring they were getting their bonuses and saying that it was always for our shareholders. They no longer cared if their people were happy and it didn't matter if they were overworked and underpaid. I still can't figure out how they fail to recognize that when people are required to work 60-80 hour work weeks and no longer have downtime, family time, or playtime the company really loses because the employee makes mistakes and when exhausted creativity and new ideas go out the window! It has always baffled me. Right on the money. I was a “worker” laid off after 39 years in 2007 from a very large corporation. I was glad to go as my heart was no longer in it as the leadership seemed to be focused on themselves, cutting back our raises but still ensuring they were getting their bonuses and saying that it was always for our shareholders. They no longer cared if their people were happy and it didn’t matter if they were overworked and underpaid. I still can’t figure out how they fail to recognize that when people are required to work 60-80 hour work weeks and no longer have downtime, family time, or playtime the company really loses because the employee makes mistakes and when exhausted creativity and new ideas go out the window! It has always baffled me.

]]> By: Steve Borek http://www.bluepointleadership.com/blog/gregg-thompson/the-gentle-leader/#comment-4118 Steve Borek Fri, 22 Jan 2010 22:25:46 +0000 http://www.bluepointleadership.com/blog/?p=89#comment-4118 Greg, this article is long overdue. Gentle or Quiet Leadership is my natural style. People are envious of me and how people respond to my way of thinking. The ones the most jealous are those that see me not doing enough. You know, the typical take charge leader that is on top of everyone seeing if they have gotten this or that done. Frantically pacing and looking all worked up. Sorry but its just not my style. I simply get great people, paint the vision, and let them create. Whats best is I don't have to think about it. Most important, the team really likes the empowerment I give and they are energized by the style. Greg, this article is long overdue. Gentle or Quiet Leadership is my natural style. People are envious of me and how people respond to my way of thinking. The ones the most jealous are those that see me not doing enough. You know, the typical take charge leader that is on top of everyone seeing if they have gotten this or that done. Frantically pacing and looking all worked up. Sorry but its just not my style. I simply get great people, paint the vision, and let them create. Whats best is I don’t have to think about it. Most important, the team really likes the empowerment I give and they are energized by the style.

]]> By: Fran L http://www.bluepointleadership.com/blog/gregg-thompson/the-gentle-leader/#comment-4116 Fran L Fri, 22 Jan 2010 20:29:19 +0000 http://www.bluepointleadership.com/blog/?p=89#comment-4116 Good article Greg. In today's business world your message is most appropraite. Wolves beware! Good article Greg. In today’s business world your message is most appropraite. Wolves beware!

]]> By: Wayne Hastings http://www.bluepointleadership.com/blog/gregg-thompson/the-gentle-leader/#comment-4115 Wayne Hastings Fri, 22 Jan 2010 20:16:17 +0000 http://www.bluepointleadership.com/blog/?p=89#comment-4115 Thanks, Greg, I would suggest the gentle leader also needs tremendous humility and bulldog perseverance. Humility so the gentle nature you describe is natural and without pride. Perseverance to keep the ship righted toward the goals of commitment and community rather than falling victim to the resurgence of the wolves. Thanks, Greg, I would suggest the gentle leader also needs tremendous humility and bulldog perseverance. Humility so the gentle nature you describe is natural and without pride. Perseverance to keep the ship righted toward the goals of commitment and community rather than falling victim to the resurgence of the wolves.

]]> By: Jonathan Michael http://www.bluepointleadership.com/blog/gregg-thompson/the-gentle-leader/#comment-4114 Jonathan Michael Fri, 22 Jan 2010 19:57:59 +0000 http://www.bluepointleadership.com/blog/?p=89#comment-4114 Thanks Greg for your insightful encouragement to gentle leaders and also motivation for all of us to choose the way of gentleness (strength under control), yours is the powerful contrarian way in a world of domination , control and posturing. Thanks Greg for your insightful encouragement to gentle leaders and also motivation for all of us to choose the way of gentleness (strength under control), yours is the powerful contrarian way in a world of domination , control and posturing.

]]> By: Laurie W http://www.bluepointleadership.com/blog/gregg-thompson/the-gentle-leader/#comment-4113 Laurie W Fri, 22 Jan 2010 19:24:45 +0000 http://www.bluepointleadership.com/blog/?p=89#comment-4113 Gregg, You never fail to motivate and give me strength to stay true to my values. Gregg, You never fail to motivate and give me strength to stay true to my values.

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