Social Media: Does It Help or Hinder Productivity?

Ray Williams — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 17:53:37 -0500

Does the use of social media in the workplace benefit organizations and educational institutions and help productivity or hamper productivity? That's a question many leaders and educators are debating in organizations, even while students and employees immerse themselves in social media for both personal and business purposes. This article will examine both sides of the question, and show how it's clearly connected to a much bigger question of organizational change.

The Age of Empathy

Ray Williams — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 00:19:48 -0400

Greed is out. Empathy is in. That's how Frans de Waal begins his book, The Age of Empathy: Nature's Lessons For A Kinder Society. De Waal is a biologist, professor of psychology and director of the Living Link Center at Emory University. In 2007, Time magazine selected him as one of the world's most influential people.

Want To Stay Healthy After Retirement? Keep Working

Ray Williams — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 17:51:31 -0400

Since the Great Depression, a commonly held perspective on the good life is that we can all look forward to retirement, when we didn't have to work any more. We would be more relaxed and healthier away from the stresses of work.

Is Management Efficiency A Myth?

Ray Williams — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 00:55:56 -0400

The current recession has produced a flood of management "experts" and many leaders of organizations whose only strategy for dealing with the downturn in the economy is cutting costs, layoffs and more efficiency based strategies. The mantra for business for much of the last century has been operational efficiency. So leaders look for ways to cut costs and make the operations lean and mean. Yet much of the rationale for and evidence supporting efficiency as a key management strategy is questionable.

Leadership Mindset May Determine Long Term Success

Ray Williams — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 18:58:01 -0400

A leader's "mindset" may determine success. Mindsets that are characterized by a commitment to growth, flexibility and adaptability continue to develop the leader's brain and develop reservoirs of untapped potential.

The notion of mindset and how it can affect performance is outlined by Stanford University psychology professor Carol Dweck, in her book, Mindset: The New Psychology of Success.

How Can Positive Affirmations Work?

Ray Williams — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 14:18:35 -0400

Positive affirmations can be a benefit to personal growth, if done in the right context, thus avoiding the damaging consequences of the wrong approach, as shown in recent research.

Management Rewired: What CAn Brain Science Tell Us About Leadership?

Ray Williams — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 00:17:32 -0400

Management Wired: What Can Brain Science Tell Us About Leadership?

Ray Williams — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 10:36:04 -0400

Time To Reconsider Executive Education Courtesy of the Recession

Ray Williams — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 00:59:07 -0400

As a result of the recession many organizations have instituted staff reductions and reorganizations at the management levels. In doing so, leaders have an opportune time to rethink management structure, leadership styles and involvement in executive education.

Leadership For A New Era

Ray Williams — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 13:51:17 -0400

In times of crisis, people's behaviors and perspectives--both in their personal and work lives--change irrevocably. Those that adapt to the changes have the best chance for success. As a result of the current economic crisis, our economic system will fundamentally change and will not return to the "way it was." Our organizations will need leaders who understand that and provide the kind of leadership necessary for the new era.