http://www.thehardlines.net Thoughts from Jim Oher Wed, 20 Jul 2011 00:30:23 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en This entry refers to the recent production of King Lear presented by the Brooklyn Academy of Music  (BAM) and the Donmar Warehouse Theatre of London England Seeing Derek Jacobi ‘s rendition of King Lear is a rewarding experience and seeing the play again prompted me to reflect on the issue of ... http://www.thehardlines.net/2011/07/19/the-fool-within/ In today's WSJ (6/20/2011) the Managing & Careers section features a story about the defense secretary and his tenure leading the department. What is most striking is Gate's adaptability, humility and his realistic expectations of others. When he first took office he decided to meet with the Joint Chiefs of Staff ... http://www.thehardlines.net/2011/06/20/robert-gates-a-leader-for-our-times/ A client truly has an impossible job in that he does not have adequate talent with his department to execute work, does not have a supportive manager, continually is pressed to delivery faster better work and is monitored to ensure that he does not continue or create a hostile work ... http://www.thehardlines.net/2011/04/11/raise-above-it-or-stay-in-it/ One trait that seems to afflict a major of managers is avoiding conflict.  Conflict is inevitable and can be just the beginning of some valuable interaction. Yet why do some many avoid it? The wish to be liked, fantasies of great anger and or violence? Perhaps, but ask yourself, do ... http://www.thehardlines.net/2011/03/29/conflict-anyone/ A recent NY Times Sunday piece focused on how Google develops good managers and leaders. Not surprisingly they discovered the eternal truth about managers and their employees  reporting to them. These bosses and managers do not have to be as deep technically as the people they work with. What their ... http://www.thehardlines.net/2011/03/28/google-on-the-go/ Scott Walker thinks he is a tough guy. Scott Walker is determined to yield power  and not compromise or give in– is there a connection between the two? According to Gary Willis, theologian and professor, John Wayne practiced his walk and talk quite a bit as he was developing his “tough” guy ... http://www.thehardlines.net/2011/02/27/toughness-and-playacting/ I have a client who is making great progress on taking more control of his  behavior, truly understanding the impact his actions have on colleagues and leading his organization through focused energy, wit, skill and passion. When I asked his manager if there was anything that his direct report (my client) ... http://www.thehardlines.net/2010/10/07/in-whose-best-interest/ It took awhile however in a story published in The New York Times today we learn the real reasons Mark Hurd was fired as CEO of Hewlett Packard: few liked or trusted him. He focused on short term cuts to boost profits much of which he took while there and ... http://www.thehardlines.net/2010/08/14/hewlett-packard-ceo-scandal-coverups-the-real-scandal/ I recently was reflecting on some outstanding theatre  I had seen over the past few years.  What is the power of playing against the line in a play be it a comedy or tragedy?  One of the biggest laughs Alex Jennings gets in the National Theatre (UK) production of Noel ... http://www.thehardlines.net/2010/07/25/self-delusion/ Lev Dodin, the director of the acclaimed Maly Drama Theatre of St. Petersburg Russia, has directed a riveting production of UNCLE VANYA, which was recently seen at BAM.  Like Ingmar Bergman at his best, Dodin begins the play as well as foreshadows the outcome in the opening few moments. He ... http://www.thehardlines.net/2010/07/05/regrets-loss-and-facing-ourselves/