Gray Matters

September 2006

Dear Colleagues:

After a few months’ hiatus, we’re back! I’m pleased to welcome you to the September 2006 issue of Gray Matters, a monthly electronic newsletter regarding HR issues and updates for supervisors, department heads, deans, directors and vice presidents. In this issue we address the following:

Thought for the Month

…from Kathleen Martin

Good to Great brings particular focus to the characteristics of good-to-great leaders that author Jim Collins and his research team discovered in their studies to understand what creates enduring great organizations. In addition to the first four levels of professional, management, and leadership competencies, good-to-great leaders are distinguished by a unique Level 5 trait - the paradoxical blend of personal humility and professional will:

Level 5 leaders look out the window to apportion credit to factors outside themselves when things go well (and if they cannot find a specific person or event to give credit to, they credit good luck). At the same time, they look in the mirror to apportion responsibility, never blaming bad luck when things go wrong. (pg. 35)

For your convenience and reference, all issues of Gray Matters are archived by topic and newsletter date on the HR web site on the left sidebar. As always, your feedback on Gray Matters is welcome, as well as suggestions for topics and issues you would like us to address or you would like to contribute to in future newsletters.

Sincerely...Kathleen