Keeping up with management trends

One thing I work hard on is trying to keep up with new ideas that deal with management, human resources and how to be a better everyday manager.
So my eye's really lit up when I saw a tweet from @teenarose with the line "No-cost white papers, mags, and guides for management and executive professionals http://adjix.com/zwrx".
So now I have shared that link with you here are a few more -

• Harvard Business Review
• Change This
• Meet The Boss.tv
• McKinsey Quarterly

And on iTunes I listen to -

• Entreprenurial Thought Leaders (Stanford)
• Manager Tools
• The Knowledge Interchange (Cranfield)
• McKinsey Quarterly
• Inspiring Words of Encouragement

And then for new trendy new stories I go to -

• Twitter.

One essential part of being a great leader is to be fresh, keep thinking and always look ahead.

Leadership Lessons - From TED

This is a great video and while there are lessons given by the presenter, here a few more bits that I would like to add to the conversation -

• Taking the initiative is important. Somebody has to get started - right? The first mover see's an opportunity and grabs it. Completely unaware or without thinking about the outcomes or opportunities the situation provides he runs on instinct and it works.
• Recreating the first time never quite has the same spontaneity or freedom of choice to it. But the second time allows for better organization, co-operation and consistency.
• The first person always takes the risk to get started - but those who follow are better able to improve the product.
• The first person will always remember being the first person but may not receive the same credit he thinks he may deserve.
• Unless - the first guy is able to repeat his success on multiple occasions and to improve the style and outcomes of his offering.

Being first is cool very cool but through waiting and watching - you can improve and grow upon the successes of others.

(Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lerdobi/422218584/)

Dress For Success

Come on guys keep up with the play! GQ outlines the latest trends for the office here.

It seems the tie is back! Personally I like the one shirt on the left from Gieves & Hawkes!

And if you're stuck for ideas for combination of what to wear Tarocash has a great tool to help you out.

My latest addition to the work wardrobe is the humble vest.

Education, Trends and Job Currency

In order to be relevant and to keep relevant you need to keep in touch with current trends, philosophies and approaches.

How can you do this? Here are the simple methods -

1. Read. Join your local library and borrow books. Readers lead and leaders read. Good libraries update their books often. If your library doesn't - ask! Your local librarian might just need some good ideas of what people want to read.


2. Surf. Jump on the Internet and seek out teaching and lessons from the top leaders of our time. There are a lot of websites that exist with top content.


3. iTunesU. Download the latest lessons from the worlds best Universities every week!


4. Listen. Often times the language that is being used by the 'guru's' doesn't take long to permeate into everyday language.

If you are able to keep current with modern thinking and activities - you position yourself well for tomorrow.

Job Currency

Cur·ren·cy (n. pl. cur·ren·cies )

1. Money in any form when in actual use as a medium of exchange, especially circulating paper money.
2. Transmission from person to person as a medium of exchange.
3. General acceptance or use; prevalence.
4. The state of being current; up-to-dateness.

How do you rate yourself in terms of currency?

Are you worth what you are being paid or should you be receiving more?

To get the most out of your working life -

• Know what you are worth. If you don't know - ask someone who does.


• Don't settle for less than your true value (unless you choose to)


• Don't think you are worth more than you really are. Be realistic.


• Remember - money isn't everything.


• Change grow and keep up to date.

Stay current and currency will follow!

Trends - Predict them before they happen.

There are a few keys to winning and remaining sustainable. Here are a few generic ones -

1. Predict what's around the corner.


2. Plan to change to match what's coming.


3. Pass on your knowledge to others.

What will 2010 bring? Read the newspapers in 2009 for a decent place to start thinking about it.

Also try this article by David Armano who outlines what he thinks will be the six big social media trends in 2010.

In life as well as business, you have a few options -

• Ignore the trends and hope they will go away,


• Follow the trends and keep on playing catch up

OR

• Create your own trends!

The choice and the power is yours.