Managing Leadership^®

Excellent stories have been stacking up, with no logical place or time to link to them. So, we’re going to do a roundup today as a venue for offering these truly worthwhile resources.

Dopes. In his classic “Up the Organization,” which every manager should read, Robert Townsend touched on the then relatively new issue of gender equality in the workplace. His conclusion, perhaps only partly an artifact of the times, was that there was really no contest: it is simply too easy for women to turn men into gibbering idiots. Now comes evidence, as if we needed it, to support this view: please this brief summary of the research from neatorama.

Diversity. Please see The Economist for this interesting array of who would’ve thought stories:

• Did you need any further proof that so-called traditional university education is on the way out? See this about how the gamers may have a lot more right than we ever would have expected.
• Things are always more complicated than those who hope to close the door on discussion would like to have it. See this about how genes are not always the architects of our fates, but rather just as likely the victims of our actions.
• This is a fascinating piece about how to make bridges last just long enough to continue offering their primary function when it is needed most, after a major disaster such as an earthquake. The thinking involved in this hard-worked innovation is terrific in and of itself – but consider also the freedom enjoyed by the researcher to explore this unlikely avenue of inquiry. You will also want to see this one about self-monitoring bridges.
• And here’s another example of that terrifically dynamic and delightfully unconstrained spirit of curiosity – whether competitive or otherwise: it’s about your tires. And you thought your brakes were smart.

Dedication. An at once devastating commentary on contemporary culture and a really inspiring account of a truly world-class hero, by Gregg Easterbrook at the WSJ.

Deliberation. Surely a valuable characteristic, but perhaps not quite as exclusive as we thought. Please see the WSJ again about the social behavior of – bacteria.

Decisiveness. We place a lot of faith in this characteristic, and look for the right individual traits or collaborative circumstances for assuring that it is well placed. It turns out, though, that we should give things more time for deliberation and reflection, rather than relying on specific tricks and gimmicks. Please see the always enjoyable yet studious PsyBlog for why groups can drive individuals to extreme positions, and warp our decision-making. Next, visit the site again for another manager’s must-read about our internal confusion between understanding and acceptance.

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Today’s tip: Speaking of delightful diversity, please see this list of modest proposals by Michael Wade. My absolute favorite is number seven. Yours?

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Technorati Tags: resource, Robert Townsend, equality, workplace, neatorama, Economist, university, education, innovation, freedom, curiosity, culture, Gregg Easterbrook, WSJ, characteristic, trait, deliberation, reflection, PsyBlog, manager, understanding, Michael Wade