13 Tips to Build a Strong Network

John Bennett/ March 13, 2020/ Development, Networking

There are many benefits of networking. People have made career changes, found their life-partners, avoided personal and financial disasters, resolved conflicts, built businesses, and even met people they admire by building strong networks.

20 Questions to Start a Conversation

John Bennett/ March 6, 2020/ Development, Leadership

Recently an executive coaching client asked me how to break the ice with people who have achieved great things in life and who might be considered intimidating. Here are 20 questions to help get a conversation started and build a relationship (with just about anyone): How did you get into the work you are doing? What do you like most about the work you do?

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Networking is Friend-Making

John Bennett/ February 28, 2020/ Development, Leadership

Imagine the complexity of a highway…all of the roads that feed into it, as well as the roads that the single highway feeds. That same complexity is true for bus systems, subways, and air traffic systems. Beyond transportation, there are countless other examples of these complex systems — healthcare, food, water, electricity, information (the internet) and even diseases. Not only does each part play an important role, it is also related in one

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Strategic Thinking: A Critical Leadership Behavior

John Bennett/ February 20, 2020/ Consulting, Leadership

The ability to think and act strategically has long been recognized as a key differentiator between average and exceptional leaders (Management Research Group). But what is strategic thinking and acting? Simply put, it is the practice of thinking broadly about current and future issues, in a manner that considers the implications of actions. As a critical leadership skill, this enables

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80 Scenarios to Work On with a Coach

John Bennett/ February 14, 2020/ Executive Coaching

Successful organizations provide executive coaching for leaders and aspiring leaders at all levels. As an executive coach, I am regularly asked … “exactly what does someone work-on with a coach?”. Here is a list of 80 scenarios I’ve assisted with in my practice:  Gain self-awareness Know the whole business (Agility) Build effective relationships across functions  Increase crucial relationships with leaders Understand and

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Thriving in a Matrix Organization

John Bennett/ February 7, 2020/ Development, Leadership

One of my favorite science fiction movies is The Matrix (1999). The movie imagines humanity that is unknowingly trapped inside a simulated reality (aka The Matrix) created by intelligent machines to distract humans while using their bodies as an energy source. A computer programmer (aka Neo, played by Keanu Reeves) uncovers the truth as he is drawn into a rebellion against the

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When Coaching Works Best

John Bennett/ January 16, 2020/ Executive Coaching, Leadership

I am often asked about my experiences coaching all levels of leaders. One of those questions is “what makes a good coaching client?” There are five distinct factors that indicate a person is likely to benefit from coaching—whether from a professional coach, manager-coach, or peer.  1. Embrace a Growth Mindset A desire to learn, grow and shift their mindsets and behaviors.

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Kurt Lewin Scholarship Fund – A Transformative Investment

John Bennett/ October 2, 2019/ Development, General

Excerpted from the Summer 2019 Queens Magazine… Navigating and leading change is an investment. Just ask the typical MSOD student: a full-time worker in their late 30s who has more than a decade of work experience. These individuals’ jobs range from sales coach to compliance manager and chief quality/safety officer. Their goal: learning how to lead change at a systematic

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