Five Leadership Lessons for Today's Executive

The poster of 12 O’clock High, the 1949 Gregory Peck-led vehicle centering on the underperforming 918^th Bomber Group, hangs framed in my Aveksa office. This is not because of its reputation as one of the best WWII films to emerge from the glut of late 1940’s war-centric cinema, but as a constant reminder of the timeless lessons of leadership the film triumphed.  Through juxtaposing the leaderships styles of Colonel Davenport and Brigadier General Frank Savage, 12 O’clock High explored what it meant to be an effective leader of troops.  Its lessons, which I will explore in this week’s column, can be translated from the harrowing skies above WWII Europe to the (significantly less dangerous) modern workplace.
First, however, it is important to understand why leadership is needed and define what leadership is. Leadership is needed to convert challenges into opportunities.  Effective leaders, like Gregory Peck’s General Frank Savage, possess the ability to:

• Direct with a clear sense of responsibility
• Understand people, their emotions, and their motivations
• Acknowledge that leadership is not a popularity contest

Read the rest of the article from Forbes: http://www.forbes.com/sites/vickvaishnavi/2013/04/11/5-leadership-lessons-for-todays-executive-3/

Advice to New Graduates from 24 Leaders

Right now is not the most promising environment students have ever graduated into. Students fear entering a job market that doesn't want them, and losing vital years of their careers.

Great advice is needed more than ever. In its latest "Influencers" series, LinkedIn asked 70+ top professionals, from Fortune 500 CEOs to media icons what the class of 2013 needs to succeed.  

Some share their commencement speeches while others share the things that they wish they knew before starting out.

They explain everything from how to create your own company to how to overcome what seems like constant rejection from employers, because they've all done it before, and succeeded wildly. Check out a few excerpts below:

From Richard Branson, Founder of Virgin Group

"The best advice I could give any graduate is to spend your time working on whatever you are passionate about in life. If your degree was focused upon one particular area, don't let that stop you moving in another direction. If college hasn't worked out for you, don't let that put you off.

"You may decide to take a break and consider your options. I would urge you to travel, take on new experiences and draw upon those when it comes to making the decisions that will shape your future. The amount of business ideas that people pick up from traveling the world is enormous."

Geoff Yang, board member at TasteMade

"Life is short. As you embark on the rest of your life, consider what you want it to be like and what you want to accomplish. Pretend for a moment that rather than graduating, starting your career, and moving on toward the rest of your life, you are at the end of it. "How would people remember you, as both a person and a professional? Write your eulogy now. Think about how you want to be remembered by your family, friends, and colleagues. Let this shape you."

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/linkedin-most-successful-people-commencement-speech-2013-5?op=1#ixzz2Vw5IZGxy

Project Launch has launched!

Check out our social pages for more info!