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Kirk Morrison

Thoughts

The Mature Leaders Kryptonite

A bias towards the victim is the mature leaders kryptonite. This bias towards the victim plays out when the leader automatically sides with one person in a conflict, often the first person to approach the leader. In order to mitigate victim bias the leader must develop the super power of objective neutrality. Objective Neutrality is…
Kirk Morrison
July 28, 2020
Thoughts

The Opposite Strategy

The inspiration for this blog post comes from the Seinfeld Episode "The Opposite". In "the opposite" Jerry Seinfeld observes that George Constanza's instincts appear to always be wrong. So it stands to reason that if George were to do the opposite of what comes naturally he will always be right. George's implementation of this strategy…
Kirk Morrison
June 28, 2020
Thoughts

The Dark Side of Narcissism

I am noticing a more prevalent use of the label "Narcissist" being ascribed to leaders across the spectrum from Parent to President. Why do we react so strongly to narcissistic leaders? Just what is Narcissism? As defined by the Diagnostic Standards Manual narcissism includes the following traits: A grandiose logic of self-importance A fixation with…
Kirk Morrison
May 28, 2020
Thoughts

Does a “Flat Curve” have you second guessing?

I am on a roll with leadership thinking inspried by figure skating in recent posts. Last weekend I attended a zoom meeting with leaders from skating clubs across the region. One of the coaches reflected on a difficult decision the club made to cancel their year-end carnival in advance of being required to do so…
Kirk Morrison
April 28, 2020
Thoughts

The Leadership Spike

A Leadership Spike is the only way to "flatten the curve". In the face of COVID-19 leaders needed to take decisive action before it appeared necessary due to the incubation period associated with the threat. This required leaders to overcome fear of economic and social consequences. In last month's blog "The Leadership Pause" I suggested…
Kirk Morrison
March 28, 2020
Thoughts

The Leadership Pause

There are times when a leader needs to take immediate & decisive action. For example: resolving service interruptions to key transportation infrastructure resulting from illegal blockades. However, short of a national threat, these times are few and far between. Most often, the best move is to pause. I recently witnessed a great example of a…
Kirk Morrison
February 28, 2020
Thoughts

The Cheez Whiz Leader

Who can forget the catchy 80's jingle: "Cheez Whiz adds personality, personality, so many ways to use it everyday!" Cheez Whiz leaders use personality to add a little zip to their teams. I am a recovering personality junkie. I was exposed to personality types early in my leadership journey through a program delivered by the…
Kirk Morrison
January 28, 2020
Thoughts

Beyond 20/20 Vision

A New Year is almost here. This is a natural time for Reflection and Resolution. The 2020 metaphors for seeing clearly are everywhere.  20/20 vision represents the ability to see at 20 feet what someone with normal vision can see at 20 feet. If you can achieve this ... your vision is average. What can…
Kirk Morrison
December 28, 2019
Thoughts

3 Ways Leaders “step in it”

I was walking along the beach with my youngest daughter this summer. We came to a narrow spot along the beach. I lead the way. We weren't the first ones to visit the area. Geese had been there before us and had left land mines on the sand. Me: Anne don't step in the goose…
Kirk Morrison
November 28, 2019
Thoughts

The Waves of Distance & Pursuit

The last 5 blog posts have examined several lenses through which leaders can come to better "see" themselves. Leaders who are better able to observe self are better able to regulate anxiety and thus more effectively lead their teams. We have explored the leader as a part of nature, as a part of a multigenerational…
Kirk Morrison
April 26, 2019