Welcome to the July 2015 Leadership Development Carnival. This month brings a treat of 22 leadership posts to savor and share.

Topics range from moral character to leadership lessons from World War II to stepping out of comfort zones. Ready to dive in?

<strong>Art Petty</strong> of the <a href="http://artpetty.com/blog/" target="_blank">Management Excellence Blog </a> shares <a href="http://artpetty.com/2015/06/08/leadership-caffeine-becoming-agile-and-adaptable-is-the-leadership-issue/" target="_blank">Becoming Agile & Adaptable Is The Leadership Issue.</a> Art asks us to think about our willingness to let go of dated thinking and obsolete approaches to leading and managing. It's time for all of us to re-think how to reapply the tools of management and leadership to a world that isn't going to revert to what used to work. Connect with Art on Twitter at <a href="https://twitter.com/LeadershipCafn" target="_blank">@LeadershipCafn</a>.
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<strong>Bruce Harpham</strong> of <a href="http://projectmanagementhacks.com/" target="_blank">Project Management Hacks</a> shares <a href="http://projectmanagementhacks.com/how-to-expand-your-job-the-pushing-boundaries-strategy" target="_blank">How To Expand Your Job</a>. Bruce reminds us that our job description is only a starting point. To get ahead and land promotions, use the pushing boundaries strategy to learn new skills and push the boundaries of your job. Connect with Bruce on Twitter at <a href="https://twitter.com/PMPhacks" target="_blank">@PMPhacks</a>.
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<strong>Chris Edmonds</strong> of <a href="http://drivingresultsthroughculture.com/" target="_blank">Driving Results Through Culture</a> shares <a href="http://drivingresultsthroughculture.com/your-character-is-showing/" target="_blank">Your Character Is Showing</a>. ''Chris takes a look at leadership through the lens of moral character, Chris' worst boss asked him to lie. A major news anchor is suspended for enhancing his reporting experiences. Presidential candidates distort the truth to gain an edge. We need leaders with moral character, today more than ever. Connect with Chris on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/scedmonds" target="_blank">@scedmonds</a>.
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<strong>Dan McCarthy</strong> of <a href="http://management.about.com/" target="_blank">About.com Management & Leadership</a></strong> shares <a href="http://management.about.com/od/managementskills/fl/How-to-Make-Better-Faster-Decisions.htm" target="_blank">How To Make Better, Faster Decisions</a>. Dan points out that bad decisions can ruin an organization and kill careers. Have you been given feedback that you need to improve your decision making? If so, you are not alone. Managers often get poor grades from 360 degree feedback assessments in the areas of quality and timeliness of decisions. Connect with Dan on Twitter at <a href="https://twitter.com/greatleadership" target="_blank">@greatleadership</a>.
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<strong>David Dye</strong> of <a href="http://trailblazeinc.com/" target="_blank">Trailblaze, Inc</a> shares <a href="http://trailblazeinc.com/resources/engage-newsletter/3-delegation-mistakes-you-dont-have-to-make/" target="_blank">3 Delegation Mistakes You Don't Have To Make</a>. David provides tips and pointers for correcting three common delegation mistakes leaders make so your people grow, your team gets more done, and you have more time for the work only you can do. Connect with David on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/davidmdye" target="_blank">@davidmdye</a>.
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<strong>Jeff Harmon</strong> of <a href="http://brilliancewithincoaching.com/" target="_blank">Brilliance Within Coaching</a> shares <a href="http://brilliancewithincoaching.com/self-leadership/empty-your-leadership-cup" target="_blank">Empty Your Leadership Cup</a>. Jeff encourages us to be an empty-your-cup"leader, challenging us to consider how we invest in others and what consistently holds us back from being that kind of leader. Connect with Jeff on Twitter at <a href="https://twitter.com/jeffdharmon74" target="_blank">@jeffdharmon74</a>.
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<strong>Jesse Lyn Stoner</strong> with the <a href="http://seapointcenter.com/" target="_blank">Seapoint Center</a> shares <a href="http://seapointcenter.com/worst-popular-leadership-quotes/" target="_blank">The 10 Worst Popular Leadership Quotes</a>. Jesse asks us to push the boundaries of our thinking. Instead of repeating the same leadership quotes you hear all the time, consider what they're really saying. How many of these 10 leadership quotes have you used? Are you sure you really agree with them? Here's why I don't. Connect with Jesse on Twitter at <a href="https://twitter.com/JesseLynStoner" target="_blank">@JesseLynStoner</a>.
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<strong>Jill Malleck</strong></span> with <a href="http://epiphanyatwork.com/" target="_blank">Epiphany At Work </a> shares <a href="http://epiphanyatwork.com/want-to-be-a-trusted-leader-ask-questions/" target="_blank">Want To Be A Trusted Leader</a>. Jill prompts us to use questions in our conversations at work, so we can begin to notice commonalities. Your intentional listening with demonstrate consideration for others. Questioning, when done skillfully, will increase the trust others have in you. Connect with Jill on Twitter at <a href="https://twitter.com/epiphanyatwork" target="_blank">@epiphanyatwork</a>.
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<strong>Jim Taggart</strong> of <a href="https://changingwinds.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Changing Winds</a> shares <a href="https://changingwinds.wordpress.com/2015/05/24/are-you-finding-your-leadership-voice/" target="_blank">Are You Finding Your Leadership Voice?</a>. Jim throws down the gauntlet for making room at the top of organization for more women, noting the big smucks at the top earning the disproportionate bucks, disconnected from reality and who frequently execute poorly conceived corporate strategies, are the ones in dire need of descending from 40,000 feet to ground level. Connect with Jim on Twitter at <a href="https://twitter.com/72keys" target="_blank">@72keys</a>.
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<strong>Joel Garfinkle</strong> of the <a href="http://careeradvancementblog.com/" target="_blank">Career Advancement Blog</a> shares <a href="http://careeradvancementblog.com/new-job-action-plan" target="_blank">Starting a New Job? Have an Action Plan for Success!</strong></a>. Joel says don't spend even one day relaxing and enjoying the security of your position. Instead, immediately start to develop an action plan for success. Create relationships with bosses, stakeholders, and peers that will raise your visibility and assure your success. Connect with Joel on Twitter at <a href="https://twitter.com/joelgarfinkle" target="_blank">@JoelGarfinkle</a>.
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<strong>Jon Mertz</strong> of <a href="http://www.thindifference.com/" target="_blank">Thin Difference</a> shares <a href="http://www.thindifference.com/2015/06/how-do-holacracy-and-freedom-collide/" target="_blank">How Do Holacracy & Freedom Collide?</a>. Jon writes that organizational structure has not dramatically changed in decades, but Holacracy is dramatic. It collides with freedom in many positive ways. With a new generation coming, it's a business model to engage. Connect with Jon on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/ThinDifference" target="_blank">@ThinDifference</a>.
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<strong>Julie Winkle Giulioni</strong> with <a href="http://designarounds.com/" target="_blank">Design Arounds</a> shares <a href="http://www.juliewinklegiulioni.com/blog/career-matters/the-pernicious-4ps-that-undermine-career-development-satisfaction/" target="_blank">The Pernicious 4p's That Undermine Career Development Satisfaction</a>. Julie says promoting more career development-and more satisfaction with it-means waging war on the 4Ps: processes, paperwork, program and promotions. Connect with Julie on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/julie_wg" target="_blank">@Julie_WG</a>.
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<strong>Kevin Eikenberry</strong> of <a href="http://blog.kevineikenberry.com/" target="_blank">The Kevin Eikenberry Group</a> shares <a href="http://blog.kevineikenberry.com/leadership-supervisory-skills/your-development-belongs-to-you/" target="_blank">Your Development Belongs To You</a>. Kevin makes the business case for owning building your knowledge, skill, and abilities. You get the chance to be more efficient and effective. You become more productive and promotable, and you gain confidence, and over time, hopefully a larger paycheck. Connect with Kevin on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/KevinEikenberry" target="_blank">@KevinEikenberry</a>.
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<strong>Lexie Martin</strong> with <a href="https://www.leadershipdirections.com.au/" target="_blank"><strong>Leadership Directions</strong> </a >shares <a href="https://www.leadershipdirections.com.au/knowledge-centre/emerge-from-your-management-comfort-zone" target="_blank">How Managers Can Emerge From Their Comfort</a>. Lexie demystifies common fears that prevent managers from stepping out of their comfort zone. She offers ways for us to achieve success by overcoming our fears and developing the skills required to become a courageous leader. Connect with Lexie on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=86545376&amp;authType=name&amp;authToken=lkuM" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a>.
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<strong>Lisa Kohn</strong> from <a href="http://chatsworthconsulting.com/thoughtful-leaders/" target="_blank">The Thoughtful Leaders Blog</a> shares <a href="http://chatsworthconsulting.com/2015/06/04/five-key-reasons-you-must-learn-to-trust-yourself/" target="_blank">Five Key
Reasons You Must Learn To Trust Yourself</a>. Lisa observes that while it may seem difficult to trust yourself or it may seem too grandiose, it is also essential to stand tall and strong with your conviction and faith in yourself. Connect with Lisa on Twitter at <a href="https://twitter.com/ThoughtfulLdrs" target="_blank">@ThoughtfulLdrs</a>.
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<strong>Mary Ila Ward</strong> with <a href="http://horizonpointconsulting.com/" target="_blank">Horizon Point Consulting</a> shares <a href="http://horizonpointconsulting.com/blog3/item/if-you-want-to-make-a-difference-start-a-business-not-a-charity" target="_blank">If You Want To Make Difference Start A Business Not a Charity</a>. Mary Ila discusses the various ways we are seeing conscience capitalism infiltrate business and leadership models." And, "in celebration of our country's independence this week, notes it's wonderful to realize all the leadership opportunities that exist in conscience capitalism through entrepreneurial leaders. Connect with Mary Ila on Twitter at <a href="https://twitter.com/MaryIlaWard" target="_blank">@MaryIlaWard</a>.
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<strong>Mary Jo Asmus</strong of <a href="http://www.aspire-cs.com/" target="_blank">Aspire Collaborative Services, LLC</a> shares <a href="http://www.aspire-cs.com/the-most-important-part-of-your-day" target="_blank">The Most Important Part Of Your Day</a>. Mary Jo reminds us that the fact of the matter is that you can't lead without others, and people need you. They take time. They take effort. They take relationship-building. Last but not least they take conversation. Connect with Mary Jo on Twitter at <a href="https://twitter.com/mjasmus" target="_blank">@mjasmus</a>.
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<strong>Michael Lee Stallard</strong> of <a href="http://www.michaelleestallard.com/" target="_blank">Michael Lee Stallard</a> shares <a href="http://connectionculture.com/grassroots-innovation-contributed-to-wwii-victory/" target="_blank">Grassroots Innovation Contributed to WWII Victory</a>. Michael asks us to consider what would happen if you trusted your team members enough to give them the freedom to take risks and voice ideas openly? The answer can be found in this inspiring WWII tale. Connect with Michael on Twitter at <a href="https://twitter.com/michaelstallard" target="_blank">@michaelstallard</a>.
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<strong>Neal Burgis, Ph.D.</strong> with <a shref="http://www.successful-solutions.com/" target="_blank">Burgis Successful Solutions</a> shares <a href="http://www.successful-solutions.com/2015/06/25/expressing-your-creativity-independent-of-others/" target="_blank">Expressing Your Creativity Independent Of Others</a>. Neal encourages us to get our independence back by being creative again. Don't let others from your past stop you from re-creating your curiosity of creativity and innovation. Understanding both will help you move forward in your work. Create your own confidence in your creativity. Connect with Neal on Twitter at <a href="http://twitter.com/Exec_Solutions" target="_blank">@Exec_Solutions</a>.
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<strong>Susan Mazza</strong> of <a href="http://randomactsofleadership.com/" target="_blank">Random Acts Of Leadership</a> shares <a href="http://randomactsofleadership.com/upgrading-how-the-world-sees-you/" target="_blank">Upgrading How the World Sees You</a>. Susan points out that changing the perception others have of you begins with recognizing how you have changed and clarifying how you want to show up in the world, from this moment forward. Here are 3 steps you can take to help others expand their perceptions of you, as you grow as a leader. Connect with Susan on Twitter at <a href="https://twitter.com/SusanMazza" target="_blank">@susanmazza</a>.
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<strong>Tanveer Naseer</strong> with <a href="http://www.tanveernaseer.com" target="_blank">Tanveer Naseer Leadership</a> shares <a href="http://www.tanveernaseer.com/a-personal-lesson-on-the-power-of-commitment-over-obligation/" target="_blank">Do You Motivate By Obligation Or Commitment?</a>. Tanveer provides an examination of the motivating factors of obligation and commitment and how one of them can help leaders to promote the best in those they lead. Connect with Tanveer on Twitter at <a href="https://twitter.com/TanveerNaseer" target="_blank">@TanveerNaseer</a>.
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<strong>Wally Bock</strong> of <a href="http://www.threestarleadership.com/" target="_blank">Three Star Leadership</a> shares <a href="http://www.threestarleadership.com/performance-management/how-to-talk-to-team-members-about-performance" target="_blank">How To Talk To Team Members About Performance</a>. Wally notes lots of bosses dread talking to team members about performance and offers advice on "how to make it easier and more effective. Connect with Wally on Twitter at <a href="https://twitter.com/wallybock" target="_blank">@wallybock</a>.
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Thank you to all who contributed a post for this month's carnival. If you liked what you read, connect with our always thought-provoking contributors. If you're interested in sharing your thoughts about leadership, consider contributing a post yourself.

Forward your submission to the ever-on-top-of-things Paula Kiger with Becky Robinson's amazing <strong>Weaving Influence</strong>, home of the <a href="http://leadchangegroup.com/about/">Lead Change Group</a>. You can reach paula at <a href="mailto:paula@weavinginfluence.com">paula@weavinginfluence.com</a>.