Leadership
LEADERSHIP is a blog covering the skills needed for leadership in purchasing and the supply chain. Lara Nichols has a wealth of experience in supplier management, technology management, risk management, performance metrics and much more. For a full bio, see Profile.
Responsibility: It’s More Than What YOU Do
Here is an interesting anecdote from the book “Developing the Leader within You (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1993) by John C. Maxwell: The sales manager of a dog food company asked his salespeople how they liked the company’s new advertising program. “Great! Best in the business!” the salespeople responded. “How do you like our new label and packag ...... Read More
Comments (0)The ‘Afterward’
As a leader, you are a vital link to the company. You spend your day talking to people. Leadership meetings, business reviews, phone calls and email. You have a view of the company that your staff and colleagues may not see. Your view is broader and longer; encompassing perspectives from the business, the corporate functions and top leadership. What you see and unders ...... Read More
Comments (0)The Myth of Multi-Tasking
Picture this: You just arrived at your desk and you are ready to begin your day. After logging in you join the first meeting of the day - a conference call. Referencing your calendar you notice, with a sinking feeling, that this meeting is followed by another call and another. In fact, you will be on the phone until lunch. You greet the call participants and settle ba ...... Read More
Comments (2)Leaders Never Fly Solo
Have you noticed that, as responsibilities expand, time spent as a practitioner decreases and time spent working relationships increases? It is a natural progression. As you begin your career, and for the first few years, your focus is 90 percent functional and 10 percent relationships. Each step up the career ladder represents a shift as functional focus decreases and relationsh ...... Read More
Comments (1)Leaders Who Follow
Allison, my six-year old daughter, recently told me that she has come to realize that there are distractions in her life. Specifically, the lullabies she enjoys as she drifts off to sleep are keeping her awake. I learned from my daughter to pay attention to the details, to recognize distractions and to do something to remove them. I am following Allison’s example of simpli ...... Read More
Comments (0)Lighten Up
“Why is the basketball court wet?” because, explains my 10-year old, Adam, “the players dribble all over it”. He laughs hysterically every time he tells his favorite joke.Having a good sense of humor is highly regarded socially and in business. People like to laugh. Medical experts and scientists agree that laughter is good for you; raising immunities ...... Read More
Comments (0)The Trouble with Words
Blaise Pascal, French mathematician of the 17th century, is quoted as saying “If I had more time, I would have written you a shorter letter”. Think a moment on the power in this concept.Words can be our strongest skill or our biggest impediment. Consider performance measurements that involve the use of words: communication, business acumen, ability to give feedback, prese ...... Read More
Comments (1)The Confidence of a Leader
Some people have IT. You can see IT in their walk, body language, tone, interactions and decisions. Many try to emulate those with IT-ability. What is IT? Described as many things, IT is something from within. A simple concept that permeates every move. IT is not a brash ego or a self-described “cut above”. IT is a self-assurance that is envi ...... Read More
Comments (3)10 Things Leaders Will Do
Some skills are traits that make one successful in a quest to lead. Enviable traits are sometimes identified through various means such as well known Myers-Briggs profiles, The Clifton Strengthsfinder (by the Gallup Organization), even one’s astrological sign. I like to think of such information as identifiers for one’s “good genes”. That is, whatever ...... Read More
Comments (1)Ten Things Leaders Don’t Do
In the quest to improve, many of us take a long, hard look at areas of opportunity (aka, weaknesses) and set off to improve skills that others helpfully share as constructive feedback. We build development plans and seek experts to teach us to improve. I would like to propose another path to improvement. It’s the path of elimination. Good leaders acknowledge that imp ...... Read More
Comments (0)Steady Now… It’s Time to Decide
Leaders make very big decisions. Although this statement may seem self evident, think about it for a moment. Talented purchasing professionals make a career out of enabling leaders to make decisions. We spend decades honing skills in analyzing issues, identifying risks, comparing alternatives and ensuring all pertinent information is incorporated into findings. With our wel ...... Read More
Comments (2)Are you Influential?
Undoubtedly, you are familiar with radio program contests. One of my favorite radio stations has a daily contest where the contestant either agrees or disagrees with the truth of five trivia statements. The contestant can use three “life lines” if he or she is stumped by a statement. Frequently the contestant will agree or disagree with a statement stating 80% or hi ...... Read More
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