When we think about leadership, what comes to mind? Usually, we focus on what are the best attributes and skills of an effective leader. These include such things as emotional intelligence, resiliency, modeling behaviors, accountability, competency, leadership styles, etc. Leaders need to be capable of using all these skills well.[i] Sometimes, though, we lose sight … Continue reading The Eight Tasks of Leadership
NACM in Albuquerque 2026: What Was Your Biggest Takeaway?
April 21st, 2026, Court Leader’s Advantage Podcast Episode Brought to You in Cooperation with the National Association for Court Management The 2026 NACM Midyear Conference brought together court professionals from across the country. They came to share best practices, confront common challenges, and explore new ideas. The theme of the midyear conference Preserving the Rule of … Continue reading NACM in Albuquerque 2026: What Was Your Biggest Takeaway?
Performance Previews, NOT Reviews
Employee performance management is a fundamental component of leadership and directly supports the judiciary’s mission to uphold the rule of law. After all, employees are the backbone of the court. To that end, in my career as a court administrator I made improving employee performance a high priority. In that time, I learned a lot … Continue reading Performance Previews, NOT Reviews
A High School Lesson on the Importance of Values
I have previously made several posts on the core values I shared with court staff during my career.[i] Values, of course, are not exclusive to courts. I recently read the values of a high school which really resonated with me as these values apply to any setting where people work together, not just in an … Continue reading A High School Lesson on the Importance of Values
Court Leadership and Professional Competencies, Issue #11 – Six Essential Leadership Skills
This issue includes six essential leadership skills.
Court Leadership and Professional Competencies, Issue #9 – Court Administration Hierarchy
This issue reviews a hierarchy of court leader KSAs.
Disengaged and Disappearing: What Is the Threat to Our Courts?
September 16th, 2025, Court Leader’s Advantage Podcast Episode Brought to You in Cooperation with the National Association for Court Management Employee disengagement is a critical national issue, one that quietly undermines productivity, economic growth, and workplace culture across the United States. According to a 2024 Gallup Corporation report: Only 33% of Employees are Actively Engaged … Continue reading Disengaged and Disappearing: What Is the Threat to Our Courts?
NACM’s 40th Anniversary Conference’s Outstanding Education Program
Last month I attended the National Association for Court Management (NACM)[i] annual conference in Omaha, where we celebrated NACM’s 40th anniversary. As a Charter Member of NACM, it was wonderful to see how much NACM has grown and achieved over the decades. At the conference there was great professional networking, a fine vendor exhibition, and … Continue reading NACM’s 40th Anniversary Conference’s Outstanding Education Program
Develop your listening skills
Listening is a critical leadership skill. Here are six ways you can develop your listening skills.
The 8 Tasks of Leadership
The 100th Vantage Point Blog post reflects on leadership amidst significant governmental changes in the U.S. It highlights the NACM CORE® Leadership Competency defining leadership as a vision-driven process. Effective leaders excel in eight tasks: setting direction, delegation, staffing, decision-making, motivating, managing dynamics, instituting culture, and communicating, guiding their organizations to success.
Court Leader 