What is the single most important advice you would offer a person new to leadership?
"What is the single most important advice you would offer a person new to leadership?" Linked 2 Leadership Blog
Dr. Merlin Switzer
How would you respond to this question, “If you were assigned to mentor a person new to leadership and could only share one thing with them to help them be most effective, what advice would you give them?” I have asked this question over the years when teaching a leadership course entitled Upward Leadership. Over […]
The Three Hardest Words for Leaders to Say
"The Three Hardest Words for Leaders to Say " Linked 2 Leadership Blog
Dr. Merlin Switzer
As leaders, we all know the importance of setting a good example. Posner and Kouzes, in The Leadership Challenge, refer to it as Model the Way. It’s one of the five fundamental practices of exemplary leadership. It obviously makes sense to set a good example. Why, then, is it hard to admit a mistake? After […]
Going Global: Leading Through Culture Clash
"Going Global: Leading Through Culture Clash,” Non-Profit World, NonprofitWorld, Vol. 29, No. 2
Dr. Merlin Switzer
Globalization is a fact of life. But I believe we have underestimated its fragility. Kofi Annan Globalization is a fact of life for corporations…and for nonprofits. Leading a non-profit is a challenging job, but leading a global non-profit adds another layer of complexity. In the twenty-first century transportation and communication systems get us around the […]
The Role of Organizational Design in Twenty-First Century Policing Organizations
“The Role of Organizational Design in Twenty-First Century PolicingOrganizations.” Police Chief. Vol. 77, No. 8
Dr. Merlin Switzer
Things alter for the worse spontaneously, if they be not altered for the better designedly. Francis Bacon The law enforcement profession is again battered by the cyclical fiscal upheaval that comes around every few years. We are not yet ten years into this new century and the issues that confront us, as well as […]
Learning from a Coaching Pro…A Coaching Lesson from Jesus
“Learn from a Coaching Pro…A Coaching Lesson from Jesus,” Christian CoachingMagazine
Dr. Merlin Switzer
As a leader or coach, does it excite you when people get it…when they are finally able to connect the dots? It does me! It’s like, “Hurray…Yes!” What if you were more effective at helping people get it? Are you interested in learning from a pro? If so, this article contains insights from Coach Jesus […]
What’s Your Future…Six Steps for Gaining Strategic Foresight
“What’s Your Future…Six Steps for Gaining Strategic Foresight,” Navigator, Vol.4, No. 3
Dr. Merlin Switzer
“For tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today.” African Proverb “We are all time travelers on a journey into the future,” writes Edward Cornish in his book, Futuring – The Exploration of the Future. The writer of the African proverb understood this, but also understood that preparation for tomorrow begins today. The […]
The Christian Executive in 2035…A Peek Into The Future
“The Christian Executive in 2035…A Peek into the Future,” Christian FuturesWebsite, July 26, 2009
Dr. Merlin Switzer
Fear grows in darkness; if you think there’s a bogeyman around, turn on the light – Dorothy Thompson When was the last time you pondered what life would be like in the future? What will your job be like? What will life be like for your children? Many of us have had such thoughts. This […]
The Role of Ethics in the 21st Century: A Call for Values-Based Leadership
“The Role of Ethics in the 21st Century: A Call for Values-BasedLeadership,” Public Manager –PM Plus…Online Extra, March 2009
Dr. Merlin Switzer
The headline in the July 26, 2008, Sacramento Bee proclaimed: “City’s salvage scandal spreads.” This was one in a series of articles about a scrap-metal dealer who had admitted to bribing employees in three northern California cities. “Whew!” you say, “That’s too bad . . . at least it wasn’t here.” But it could happen […]
Cross-Cultural Communications for Leaders
"Cross-Cultural Communication for Leaders," EPPC Global Management, http://www.eppcmanagement.com/home.asp
Dr. Merlin Switzer
Imagine being a leader in a culture very different from yours with a people whose life experience and perspective is radically different. Such was the experience of Don Brewster who gave up a comfortable position as an executive pastor in a mega-church to move to Cambodia where he and his wife started Rahab’s House (www.aim4asia.org), […]
Strategic Thinking In Fast Growing Organizations
“Strategic Thinking in Fast Growing Organizations.” Journal of StrategicLeadership. Vol. 1, No. 1
Dr. Merlin Switzer
Imagine your congregation experiencing fifty percent increase, growing from 1200 to 1800 in just six months or that your city grew from 11,000 to 40,000 residents in seven years. What challenges would that kind of growth bring? How do you lead a fast growing organization into the future? These are real examples from organizations that […]
Servant Leader on the Beat
“Servant Leader on the Beat.” Information – The Magazine ofthe Christian Police Association, N. Ireland Branch
Dr. Merlin Switzer
Nine o’clock at night and it’s time for graveyard briefing to start. A message comes down from the Communications Center. A woman has just reportedly been shot in the chest and officers are en route. As I wait for an update, one of the Sergeants has started briefing for this crew that will be on duty until […]