Entries by David Irvine

Was wanting to be a leader something you envisioned for yourself?

The best leaders don’t necessarily seek leadership. They seek to make a difference. They are committed to fostering growth on their team and building capacity in others. Their motive to earn a title is service, not increased power, recognition, financial gain, or using organizational politics to further personal agendas. We must stop using promotions as […]

The relationship between accountability and grace – when to hold the line and when to let it go

When our daughter was a teenager she asked to change her curfew for a special event. We wrestled with the decision as she took the time to build her case. We eventually changed the curfew, and to this day I don’t know if it was the right decision. Often there is no “right” decision, but […]

Teamship – The Undervalued Virtue Of Being a Great Team Player

We talk a lot about leadership but how can you be an outstanding teammate? We don’t celebrate outstanding “teamship” enough. And just as leadership is contextual (qualities vary from team to team), so is teamship. Here’s a process that may be helpful: Brainstorm qualities considered valuable on your team, along with behaviors demonstrating those qualities […]