In my previous post, I referred you to articles about how to lead virtual teams. As educators, we often assume that people lack knowledge and once it is imparted it will be used. But there is often a big gap between knowledge and translating it into action. This knowing-doing gap exists in leadership development as well. The field of training… Read more →
Talk to those who coach leaders and they will tell you that leading virtual teams continues to be challenging. The interesting thing is that that there is fair amount of relevant research that can benefit leaders. Unfortunately, such research never makes its way to the general public. We academics do a pretty good job conducting rigorous research but we are… Read more →
My two decades of research on leadership and information technology (IT) has led me to believe that people think that leadership is not affected by IT and, consequently, the way in which leadership has worked in traditional and formal settings would work online too. Or they may believe otherwise but they lack specifics and wish to know more. Finding a… Read more →
In my last post I argued that the Internet would not curb leader misbehavior. In today’s post I suggest that the Internet and, in general, the use of information technology (IT) may actually increase leader misconduct. The Internet and IT make misconduct easier and more tempting for organizational leaders. Harvard University administrators ordered a search of email accounts of resident… Read more →
We had gathered with some friends recently and our discussion veered towards the Donald Sterling case. Someone wondered if the strong backlash on the Internet would serve as a lesson for leaders and inhibit them from misbehaving in the future. During the age when a person’s every move is a click away from being posted on the Internet, are leaders… Read more →
In my teaching, I have often emphasized the need for businesses to use social media to humanize and build an emotional connection with their customers. This is extremely critical for small businesses that don’t have a lot of money for expensive promotions. Of course, when using social media, promotions are generally not as successful as emotional engagement but some businesses… Read more →
In one of my past blog posts, I had talked about happiness and how it can lead to success. I had also covered some ways in which one can be happy. Now we have some research that suggests that we seek the eudaemonic kind of happiness, whereby the focus is on serving others and a higher purpose, over the hedonic… Read more →
Many in my generation question the value of social media — the kind in which people engage in social chit-chat. A father, whose 31 year old daughter married recently, was no different. It was at his daughter’s wedding that he learned about the usefulness of social media for staying connected on a human level and enriching one’s life. His earlier… Read more →
Technology is meant to connect us. Instead, it often creates feelings of isolation. Such as when there’s no reply to our emails. We don’t care as much when our email to a company’s customer service is unanswered but when we send it to someone we know or an individual we are trying to establish contact with, not receiving a reply… Read more →
Though I have not been blogging actively, Leading Virtually continues to be popular among its readers. I thank all its readers for their interest and loyalty. While I mull over posts that focus on this blog’s theme, I thought I might share something that touches us all. Something that is more immediate. Tomorrow is father’s day. It’s a reminder that… Read more →