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David Porter Advisors

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Communication

This is what we're afraid of as leaders

Once we dispense with the notion of the fearless leader, an urban myth to lead them all, we can make our way to a list of things that go bump in the day and night. I find it helpful to name the fears, much like repeatedly saying the name Voldemort

Being more effective when the boss' behavior changes

I recently coached a manager whose relationship with her VP had changed during the past few months. Up to that point, the multi-year partnership had worked well, but the VP was now making comments in staff meetings that left the manager feeling undermined and betrayed. She was confused and thought

Improving Organizational Memory

A diner arrives for breakfast in a five-star hotel restaurant. She has numerous severe food allergies and no meals off for good behavior. Every day takes vigilance and patience to stay healthy. For this celiac, a bite of wheat gluten begins a four-day cycle of body distress, pain, and brain

Uber, Words, and Snowflakes

Last week, Uber board member Arianna Huffington held an all-hands meeting with employees to outline the steps that will be taken to change the culture to one of inclusiveness and collaboration. While the sexist comment made to her by another board member, David Bonderman, received attention, something else stood out

The Respect in Responsiveness

Many issues arise each day to challenge our problem-solving and coping skills at work. If I were asked to force rank which of the problems, when left unresolved, have the most substantial long-term negative impact on a company, it would be reduced responsiveness. Other candidates like missed deadlines, stressful interpersonal

Leading from Crisis or Reserve

Photo credit: David Porter During a trip to Santa Fe, New Mexico, the raw beauty of the place struck me, but the most profound impression was the amount of reserve built into the area. The reserve stood out in the roadways, the Albuquerque airport, and everywhere we traveled in the

A Permission Slip

A former colleague just started a new job. I remember him for many things, but I thought about him today because he is one of those all too rare people that speaks his mind about things large and small in the world. That makes him an intriguing person because he