Category: Leadership Skills

Celebrating Twelve Extraordinary Women Who Shaped Me

Several things came together for this particular post.  First, when I completed my review of Linda Hill and Kent Lineback’s Being the Boss: The 3 Imperatives for Becoming a Great Leader on the first year anniversary of my job with Space Center Houston, I reflected on the many great bosses I’ve had over the course of my career.

Second, since the month of March is designated Women’s History Month, we celebrate the courageous women who have helped our Nation build a fairer, more just society. As this year’s Presidential proclamation puts it, “Throughout history, the vision and achievements of powerful women have strengthened our Nation and opened the doors of opportunity wider for all of us.  Though their stories too often go untold, all of us stand on the shoulders of these sung and unsung trailblazers.”

Third, I recently summarized John MacArthur’s Twelve Extraordinary Women.

So, when I considered offering some personal reflections this month, I can’t help but think of twelve extraordinary women who shaped me as a leader.

Click here to learn about the 12 Extraordinary Women Who Shaped Me

Being the Boss

On February 27, 2023, I started a new role as Vice President of Human Resources for Space Center Houston—following a 30-year Federal career in Human Resources, mostly with NASA.  In honor of my first anniversary, I thought it was appropriate to summarize Linda Hill and Kent Lineback’s Being the Boss: The 3 Imperatives for Becoming a Great Leader.

If you were a high performer in your work before becoming a manager, you may find the journey into management particularly difficult. Because of previous success, stars are understandably reluctant to give up the attitudes and practices they think produced their success thus far, and they’re unwilling to change themselves.  But, as Marshall Goldsmith wrote, What Got You Here Won’t Get You There.

Too many leaders fail to live up to their potential. Why? Because they stop working on themselves. Leadership is about using yourself as an instrument to get things done. It can be learned, but only if you are willing and able to engage in serious self-development.

That’s one reason I continue with this blog.  It forces me to continue to learn about leadership and improve my own skills and perspective.

Click here to learn the 3 imperatives for becoming a great leader