How to be assertive rather than aggressive

• ORIGINAL POST BY: LYNN TAYLOR
•   POSTED IN: NATIONAL CEO NETWORK LINKEDIN GROUP
• 
  

Drawing the line between aggressiveness and assertiveness is always a difficult proposition, whether you're managing a team or trying to advance in your career.

When you must take a stand, you may second-guess yourself: "Will I step over the line? If I do nothing, will I lose ground?"

You can walk the tightrope by increasing your people sensitivity and emotional intelligence.

Everyone admires assertiveversus aggressive people — those who put forth their needs and views confidently and directly.

They stand up for themselves without wielding a metaphorical weapon, and always consider the views of others.

Aggressive behaviors in theworkplace can sometimes look like the age of the Neanderthal — the ones with the biggest clubs grab the grub, have the best caves and swagger around thumping their chest.

These forceful managers or employees dominate others, and can sap morale by grunting just a few words, e.g., "I want this now." Ultimately the approach backfires. You can trust someone who is assertive. Not so much with an aggressor.

There are exceptions to the rule, of course. An aggressive, Type A personality in sales may be helpful, although there’s a limit there, too. "I’m not leaving until you buy these genuine ‘dinosaur eggs!’" doesn’t play well even with today’s audience.

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Your Not Ready to Innovate unless Your Ready To Improvise

POSTED AT:  Twitter (NationalCEONET) by CaptureHits

POST Written By:  Art Markman

 

Lessons Entrepreneurs can learn from Jazz

 

I love jazz.  I have been listening to it since I was a teen.  I marveled at the ability of great jazz musicians to take a complex song and to play something that was both brand new and also fit the song completely.  I was so riveted by these performances that about 15 years ago, I started taking saxophone lessons to learn some of these skills myself.

 

Nobody will confuse me with John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, or Michael Brecker.  But, I have learned a lot about what makes improvisation work.  And it seems to me that a lot of these skills also have lessons for innovators and entrepreneurs. 

 

Here are three of those lessons.

1. Don't wait for Perfection
2. Learn your theory
3. Know your scales

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IS YOUR SENSITIVE DATA SECURE

       

Hackers are moving away from a focus on obtaining personally identifiable information and more towards “soft” targets including law firms.

Last week there were reports that a Russian criminal, Oleras, has been attempting to hire hackers to break into law firms' computer systems so he can trade on insider information.

This, among other developments, have highlighted that hackers have shifted their focus away from personally identifiable information and credit card data, said Tom Ricketts, New York-based senior vice president of Aon's professional services practice,

 

“It's all about the money” and getting merger & acquisition information, and potentially stock information, so cyber criminals “can play the market and make more money,” said Jerry Irvine, chief information officer at Schaumburg, Illinois-based Prescient Solutions, an information technology outsourcer

 

Erik Rasmussen, Washington-based associate managing director, cyber security & investigations, for Kroll Associates Inc., said while there is a threat, there is no evidence at this point that Oleras' efforts have been successful.

 

Mr. Rasmussen said to avoid problems, firms' information technology teams should check their network for malicious activities and the potential ways cyber criminals could engage in phishing. This should include double checking emails coming into the firm and warning clients and employees not to click on emails or answer email from unknown vendors, he said.

 

There are enterprise-level email filters that can protect firms “but really the best thing is to educate the user,” Mr. Irvine said.

 

Firms should also consider buying cyber insurance, said Mr. Ricketts, who estimates just 30-35% of law firms purchase stand-alone cyber coverage, which is consistent with cyber insurance coverage penetration as a whole.

 

Mr. Ricketts said based in part on the publicity concerning Oleras, he anticipates increased interest in the coverage. “It has brought home the importance, the urgency of the situation,” Mr. Ricketts said.

On Monday, the Federal Bureau of Investigation issued a warning about a dramatic rise in the “business email compromise” scam, where cyber criminals spoof company and company official's email, which it said has led to “massive” financial losses in Phoenix and other cities.

4 Habits Of The Most Successful Leaders

POSTED AT: NATIONAL CEO NETWORK LINKEDIN GROUP
POSTED BY:  TODD NORDSTROM
ORIGINAL POST:  FORBES

The greatest leaders have a lot in common. That’s something we’ve noticed after years of walking into various companies around the world to conduct interviews, give presentations, or consult. The commonality of great habits is actually unmistakable. It’s instantly noticeable. Great leaders command a room as soon as they stand to speak. They aren’t afraid to crack a joke—but they know when to get down to business. Their door is open to everyone, regardless of rank or position. People are eager to learn from them, and are mobilized by their missions. And great leaders make the impossible happen every day, igniting passion and innovation throughout an organization.

 

 

Image Courtesy Shutterstock.com

 

But, truly great leaders—as we also know—are few and far between. In fact, research from the Society of Human Resource Management states that the ability to lead, which is the most crucial aspect of business success is largely lacking in employees and job seekers today—an unfortunate truth, given the influence of a fantastic leader. So to combat this trend, we’ve compiled a list of the common habits of the most successful leaders. Read on for key insights on becoming a better leader today. 

 

1. DRIVE
2. EXPERTISE
3. FLEXIBILITY
4. GENEROSITY

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