Leading Effectively e-Newsletter - February 2009 Issue

February 2009

In Your View

Have you developed (and communicated) a vision for your team or organization?

view previous poll results

Take Note

Time Trials
Finding ways to save time will help you carry the load. (more...)

4 Ways to Learn
Managers learn the most when they take a four-pronged approach. (more...)

Ask CCL

Submit Your Question

CCL's experts answer your questions about being a leader and developing leadership skills.

Q. Is succession planning for frontline managers a common industry practice? (answer...)

Q. A client of mine wants help with their strategic planning. What are the pitfalls I should know as a person coming in from the outside? (answer...)

The High Price of Stress: 6 Ways to Cut Your Cost

With all the organizational demands and pressures of leading, our jobs are taking a toll. Learn how to reduce the impact of stress for a healthier body and mind. (more...)

How to Inspire Through Vision — Even in Rocky Times

With the global economy faltering and countless complex challenges facing us at every turn, it's all too easy for "vision" to fall by the wayside. But in turbulent times, we desperately need inspiration, clarification and focus -- all things that a shared vision can provide. (more...)

4 Reasons to Tout Your Skills in an Era of Layoffs

If you've been laying low at work, hoping the pay cuts and job cuts will pass you by, you may be putting yourself at greater risk. "Self-promotion isn't really an option in today's workplace," says CCL's Gina Hernez-Broome. (more...)

Now Hear This: CCL on i-Tunes

Take your leadership lessons on the road with CCL's LeaderCast series via Apple's iTunes store. The podcasts -- offered as three- to six- minute audio downloads -- address everyday issues such as dealing with conflict, honing your political skill, and improving your network. Others showcase new ideas on leadership or share stories of leadership in action. (more...)

Exclusively for myCCL Premium Subscribers:
Leadership Lessons: A CCL Development Series

Creative Leadership: New Skills for Times of Turmoil

Are you and your organization trying to tackle truly complex, rapidly evolving or overwhelming challenges? With business-as-usual quickly becoming high-stakes leadership, now is the time to learn six skills for navigating complex challenges. (more...)

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Events You Won't Want to Miss

March 4:
CCL Webinar
Unleashing Effective Innovation: The Power of Creative Leadership

March 26:
CCL Webinar
Staying on Track: Five Tips All Leaders Need to Know

Did you know ...
That 52 percent of senior executives surveyed say they are interrupted about once every 30 minutes?

Another 36 percent say they are interrupted at least once every hour. And, if you're not a top exec, research in the field shows you are interrupted more often.

When asked "how often are interruptions a problem for you at work," 65 percent of the executives reported that interruptions are sometimes a problem and 21 percent consider interruptions to be a common problem.

So how do you limit office interruptions? The 247 senior executives surveyed by CCL said that they use the following strategies to limit office interruptions:

Close my door. This is a tactic that works well in many offices. A sign can be added to the door saying "Sorry, on deadline" or "On a conference call, please check in later" to also get the message across without seeming antisocial.
Prioritize my calendar. Blocking work and open time on your agenda and setting appointments will help enable you to accomplish what needs to get done each day.
Have your assistant filter office calls. Letting your assistant know which calls are important and when to take messages can help keep the distractions to a minimum. Then schedule a time each day to return missed calls.
Turn off cell phones and only accept urgent calls from your assistant. Personal cell phones can be as much of a distraction as office phones. Keeping your cell phone on silent or giving it to your assistant to answer with directions to only interrupt you with urgent calls will help keep your mind focused on your work.
Work from home or off site. Working at home on key projects with your Blackberry turned off, finding a vacant office to hide in or using airplane travel time wisely can all be instrumental tactics in getting your work done.

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