Literature Review

4 Leadership strategies to motivate disengaged team members Forbes; by Julie Kratz; 10/30/24Disengagement often stems from a lack of clarity in roles and responsibilities, poor communication and ineffective leadership. When employees don’t understand how their work contributes to the organization’s goals, or when they feel undervalued or undercompensated, they are more likely to disengage. When a culture doesn’t prioritize respect, trust and inclusion, it can lead to feelings of isolation or alienation. Disengagement can also be exacerbated by leaders who fail to commit to decisions or who don’t model the behaviors they expect from their teams. To motivate disengaged team members, consider these strategies: ...

A priceless business leadership lesson from The Grateful Dead Forbes; by Eli Amdur; 10/26/24 Phil Lesh, the Grateful Dead’s singularly iconic and beloved bassist, died last week at age 84. ... And the lessons we learned from him – and the boys – are more applicable to business than ever before. The timeliest of all comes from Phil ... The essence of the Grateful Dead, he explained, is “the infinite mutability of our music.” ... And if anything signals a business survival mandate in today’s dizzyingly changing world, that’s still it: infinite mutability. ... Every time they stepped on stage, they were a living, breathing experiment in creativity, fearless about treading new ground, easily drifting into their 20-minute jams (or more) on “Dark Star” or “Goin’ Down the Road” or “Morning Dew” or just about anything else … [They] stayed fresh, new, fearless, and constantly innovative. ... And who pointed us to this lesson? Phil, that quiet, unassuming bassist who usually could be seen stage right, away from the glare of the spotlight, while Jerry and Bobby took vocal and instrumental leads and Mickey and Billy wove together an integrated drum partnership ... All the while. There was Phil – the most innovative bassist I ever saw – laying down a foundation to support the Dead’s infinite mutability ...

Is compassion a strategic or soft leadership style? HRZone; by Victoria Brookbank; 10/28/24 Compassionate leadership is an emerging management style that offers strategic benefits to numerous businesses. But is it truly worthwhile? ... More recent approaches to leadership – placing compassion at the forefront of expected management skills – have also been making inroads in complementing workplace culture shifts. But they’ve not been universally accepted. Some have labelled new leadership approaches as “soft” or even a “woke”, seeing such changes as an inconvenience to getting on with the rigorous demands of driving business success. But more and more studies are proving that both are possible. Compassionate leadership is turning out not to be just a feel-good, optional practice. It’s becoming a strategic imperative – significantly enhancing organisational performance, psychological safety, employee engagement and wellbeing, as well as overall business outcomes. [Click on the title's link to continue reading.]

Mastering leadership: 6 experience-based qualities to align with a changing business worldForbes / HEC Paris Insights; by Marc Beretta, Daniel Brown; 10/25/24In today’s fast-paced world, effective leadership requires much more than traditional managerial skills. The dynamic nature of modern organizations, combined with the increasing complexity of global challenges, calls for a new type of leader - one who can navigate uncertainty, connect deeply with others, and foster a culture of trust and collaboration. Over the course of 20 years of coaching top executives globally, encapsulated in what we call the Six Leadership Landmarks we attempt to move beyond traditional leadership models, emphasizing vulnerability, self-awareness, and connection with others. Through this framework, leaders can not only guide their teams more effectively but also inspire transformation within themselves and their organizations... The six leadership landmarks we’ve developed over the years are awareness, adaptability, trust, vulnerability, kindness, and a shared vision. [Click on the link above for additional context and detail on these leadership landmarks.]

Hospice executives laser-focused on regulation, see change on horizon Hospice News; by Holly Vossel; 10/24/24 ... Hospice News spoke with c-suite executives who have recently stepped into their roles to learn more about what led them to the space and their top priorities. Regulatory challenges are among hospice leaders’ most significant concerns. They also envision opportunities to reform the Medicare Hospice Benefit and diversify their scope of services.

What the best leadership teams do right Harvard Business Review; by Ron Carucci, Mindy Millward, and Eric Hansen; 10/22/24 Given the unique responsibilities of executive teams, it would seem obvious that they require a specialized set of skills and approaches to be effective. And yet few have cracked the code on building and sustaining such effectiveness. There are three critical, highly interdependent roles they must play to have lasting impact on the company’s performance, culture, and ability to adapt. Executive teams often perform one or two of these reasonably well but fall short in integrating all three. The good news is that, with persistent effort, executive teams willing to put in the work can learn to play all three of these roles — setting themselves apart from the many willing to settle for much less.

6 Essential leadership skills — and how to develop themHarvard Business Review; by Rebecca Knight; 10/18/24The way we work has changed — and so has leadership. Leaders are under new pressures to perform at higher levels and adapt quickly to changing demands. In this article, the author shares advice from three leadership experts and outlines the six skills leaders need to succeed: 1) emotional aperture; 2) adaptive communication; 3) flexible thinking; 4) perspective seeking, taking, and coordinating; 5) strategic disruption skills; and 6) resilient self-awareness. Developing these six key leadership skills isn’t just about your personal growth, it’s about shaping the future of work and inspiring those around you.

Forbes Leadership Strategy: 5 reasons you should seek to work with people who think differently Forbes; by Kate Vitasek; 10/17/24 One of the most common pitfalls we see in the business world is when organizations exclusively work with people who think like they do. While at first glance, this could seem like it would help the organization become more unified, in the long run, it can actually do more harm than good. Instead, you should seek to work with people who think differently from you. By bringing in people with unique perspectives and backgrounds, you can unlock a host of valuable benefits that will serve you well in both the short- and long-term. 

Video: North Hawaii Hospice holds lantern floating ceremony Big Island Video News; 10/15/24 The annual floating lantern ceremony was held Sunday evening at the Fairmont Orchid. ... The event was organized by North Hawaii Hospice, ... “The goal is to honor and remember those who have passed, in a group setting,” said North Hawaiʻi Hospice executive director Faye Mitchell. “We get to share in our grief, but also in our joy about the people that we’ve loved and who are no longer with us.” ... “When people come, they have a lantern paper which they get to decorate and write messages for their loved ones. And then they put that lantern paper onto a base, and at sunset we helped them light a candle in that lantern. ... “I am an organizer of this event, but I am definitely also a participant,” Mitchell said. “I lost my son Geno in February of this year. He was 24 years old. I have to say, one of the key things I learned from the experience is that grief shouldn’t be kept to myself. ... There’s something about sharing your grief with others who know what it’s like. So that’s why I share it even now, with everyone watching, because if … you’ve lost someone you’re not alone, and if you share this experience with others you’d be surprised how many people have gone through this. It’s so much better not to be alone in this."

The quiet, transformative power of introverted leaders Forbes; by Benjamin Laker; 10/14/24 When workplaces celebrate loud voices, charismatic personalities, and the “move fast, break things” attitude of leadership, introverts may seem out of place. Leadership, we’re told, belongs to the extroverts—the ones who command rooms, deliver inspiring speeches, and thrive in the spotlight. But what if we’ve been overlooking a quieter form of leadership all along? Introverted leaders are often the unsung heroes of organizations, possessing a unique power that’s grounded in thoughtfulness, empathy, and a deep understanding of their team. The truth is, the quiet power of introverted leaders is not just an alternative leadership style—it’s a vital force for creating sustainable success.

7 reasons leadership soft skills are imperative for growth Forbes; by Brent Gleeson; 10/11/24 In high-performance organizations, leaders often prioritize technical know-how and measurable metrics. But dismissing soft skills as unimportant is a critical mistake that can lead to team breakdowns, missed opportunities, and poor results. According to a 2023 Harvard Business report, 76% of respondents identified empathy, communication, and the ability to manage conflict as essential leadership skills for driving team effectiveness, especially in diverse and remote work environments. Leaders who lack these soft skills may struggle to build trust and create psychologically safe workplaces, which are essential for team cohesion and innovation in high-performance settings​. But organizations must adopt a deliberate, strategic, and deeply integrated approach to developing soft skills in order to maximize ROI, ensuring that these efforts are aligned with the company’s culture, core values, and business objectives. ... [Click on the title's link for its list.]

Pathway to leadership and self-mastery with Mike Harbour Teleios Collaborative Network (TCN); podcast by Chris Comeaux; 10/9/24 Mike Harbour and Chris Comeaux dive deep into the transformative power of self-mastery and all things leadership.  Mike shares about his personal journey of overcoming trauma and learning how to observe himself while navigating life’s challenges. Mike highlights a key insight: leaders must first address their own internal battles before they can effectively lead and care for others.  The conversation explores the relevance of stoicism, urging leaders to confront unresolved issues that could otherwise undermine their leadership. Self-mastery isn’t just a tool—it’s the foundation of strong leadership. ... 

Hospice of Central PA President Gil Brown to retire Abel Personnel; by Rochelle Shenk; 10/9/24 After more than a decade of service at Hospice of Central PA, president Gil Brown will retire Dec. 31. According to a news release, Brown has been a driving force behind the organization’s growth, steering it through significant achievements and fostering strong relationships with health care partners and the community. Since joining Hospice of Central PA in 2014, Brown has led the organization through numerous milestones, including earning Joint Commission accreditation and securing a 5-star status in the We Honor Veterans program offered by the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. ... “Working with Gil has been a truly inspiring experience,” said Hank Straub, HCP Board Member. “His unwavering commitment to compassionate care and his visionary leadership have not only shaped Hospice of Central PA, but also set a high standard for excellence. Gil’s ability to lead with both heart and strategic focus has made a lasting impact, and it has been an honor to collaborate with him in serving our community.”