Unintended consequences is the term for outcomes that are not the ones foreseen by a purposeful act.

When a manager consistently gives tough assignments to a worker who’s proven himself to be reliable, the go-to employee may begin to feel “penalized” by the additional load while the less reliable workers get a free ride. What was intended as a compliment and vote of confidence turns out to be an unwelcome burden.

Author of Leadershop, Roger Dean Duncan

In medicine, unintended consequences are called “side effects.” Have you listened carefully to television commercials for drugs? The list of side effects is often longer than the narrative promoting the medicine. Why would we be warned that a product purported to relieve a simple ailment may also produce paralysis, high blood pressure, thinning hair, skin rash, weight gain, blurred vision or even thoughts of suicide? Because the lawyers said so.  Read more...

I had one of my most profound, memorable, touching experiences in Washington, D.C. two weeks ago that I’ve realized after reflection has some important connections to leadership.

President George Herbert Walker Bush, naval aviator, Congressman, Ambassador to China, Director of the CIA, Vice-President, and eventually 41st President of the United States passed away a couple of weeks ago. Immediately, Washington D.C. mourned the loss of our former leader. The flags have been at half mast ever since and will continue to be so for 30 days following a President’s death.

Photo of the Capital Rotunda

A good friend and Sigma Chi pledge brother of mine suggested we go visit President Bush lying in state, pay our respects, and express our gratitude for his long life of service and leadership, the subject of this post. We spread our plan to the whole fraternity and about 8 brothers signed on to come. We decided it would only be appropriate if we wore formal attire. Some brothers were coming from class or studying so they couldn’t, but we put on jackets, ties, and slacks and piled into an uber XL for the Capitol Building.  Read more...

Leader, as defined by Webster, is a person who leads, such as someone in authority whereas leadership is the actual act of leading. Often, we automatically think that only managers/supervisors are leaders however that is not the case.

Photo by Simon Matzinger

Leaders can be found anywhere. They are that person setting an example for others, motivating them to be the best person that they can be, they could be that mean girl in school that has others following her to be part of the popular crowd or it could be that person at work that is always willing to teach others how to do things without question.

Obviously, someone who is setting examples for others and doing the right thing is thought of as a good leader since they are leading by their example. However, does that automatically make them a good manager? Not necessarily….  Read more...