We are all leaders! Some of us lead organizations, some lead teams. We all aspire to be market leaders within our niches (if not, then we need to have a separate conversation). We all need to be thought leaders, championing our ideas to advance the organizations that we are a part of. In his book Leadership Gold, Lessons I’ve Learned …
Clarity Breaks
If you’ve read books on great leaders in history, you’ll find that one of the things that they all had in common was the ability to get out of the weeds, rise above it all, and take time to think. Henry Ford once said, “Thinking is the hardest thing to do, that’s why so few people engage in it.” As …
The Greater Good
Today, we’re focusing on acting with the greater good in mind. Great leaders always act for the greater good and that greater good is your organization’s vision. Not your vision, your organization’s vision. That creates the context for how your decisions and your actions support the greater good. I’d like to share a story with you about two great …
Giving Clear Direction
Giving clear direction is not about telling people what to do or how to do it. Instead it’s about Creating an Opening. You’ve heard the adage “nature abhors a vacuum”. That vacuum – that opening must be filled. You can best do this by creating a compelling vision of where you’re going, why it’s important, and how you’ll get …
Leadership and Management
Last time we discussed the 4 Truths that you must embrace to Be a Great Boss. Today’s focus is defining Leadership and Management, what makes them different but also, equally important. Simply put … Leadership is defined as: Working “On” the business Providing Clear Direction Creating an Opening Thinking Management is defined as: Working “In” the business Keeping Expectations Clear …
Date Your Kids
The best parenting advice I ever got was to date your kids. For all the parenting mistakes I made, I took this one to heart and to this day have strong relationships, and open communication with my adult children. The idea is simple. I asked for one hour each week and I’ll buy (of course). They pick the place and …
I Love It When a Plan Comes Together!
Back in the 80’s at the end of most episodes of the A Team©, Hannibal Smith would utter that famous line… I love it when a plan comes together! We were never quite sure if he knew it all along or was in fact pleasantly surprised by their success. Having just competed Annual Planning with most of my clients it …
Leave No Rock Behind
This creed leave no man behind is espoused by many branches of our armed forces as well as other countries. The movie Blackhawk Down brought this to the popular culture. It’s a basic principle you must have in an army. If a soldier knows that whatever happens, he is not alone and won’t be left behind, he will take much …