She got fired over the phone, and sent an email blast to the organization announcing what had happened.  The New York Times story on former CEO Carol Bartz abrupt dismissal from Yahoo said she did something that executives rarely do in that situation. “She told the truth.”   After word got out about her “I’ve just been fired” email, the national argument began: Was her action was a bold act of authenticity and transparency? Or a reckless, unnecessary act inspired by spite?   Many said Bartz’ actions were consistent with her direct style, and she was applauded for her refreshing honesty.  Some hoped her truth-telling would become a trend, and held her up as a shining example of how thingsRead the Rest…

I have learned many lessons about leadership over the years, but among the most powerful came while teaching at an inner-city high school in Flint, Michigan. In mid-year, I took a job teaching woodshop. The previous instructor had found himself locked in a storage cage by his 2nd period class. He got out during 4th period, and immediately quit.   In the 1970s, the boys who were enrolled in woodshop often weren’t cutting it in regular classrooms. The logic of putting disruptive — and sometimes aggressive — students in a classroom with sharp instruments and dangerous power machines escaped me. But somebody had to do it, and I needed the job.   While I wasn’t thinking about leadership at theRead the Rest…