“The truth of the matter is that you always know the right thing to do… the hard part is doing it!” U.S. Army General H. Norman Schwarzkopf Likewise, the answer to most business problems is usually obvious as well. Consider this – when was the last time you were really stumped for a solution to [...]
The concept of effective leadership has changed over the years. The old-style concept of a leader being the directing chief at the top of a hierarchy is incomplete at best, harmful to the organization or company at worst. In today’s world, this view simply does not truly appreciate the very nature of true leadership. Leadership [...]
In two decades (that sounds old) of working with CEOs, business owners and other senior leaders, I cannot recall one who I would have deemed to be stupid (ok maybe 1). But seriously most were intelligent, talented people. Yet, when faced with the challenge of change, or a crisis, many succeeded and some failed. Those [...]
Whether you’re a manager or a leader (you can be both) you need to know the business well. But, a leader is someone who has the capacity to create a compelling vision that takes people to a new place, and to translate that vision into action. Leaders draw other people to them by enrolling them [...]
To survive and prosper, small and midsize companies must establish a marketing presence based upon a sustainable competitive advantage. I often speak with company owners and CEO’s that want to grow their organizations, but don’t know how to take the next step. It’s difficult when you’ve worked so hard to build your current business to [...]
Two elements of leadership,” trust” and “service” unfortunately, aren’t always obvious to analytical types whose focus is primarily on metrics and results. A leader however isn’t the person with all the answers. Rather, a leader is the catalyst for influencing others to overcome obstacles, find solutions, and seize and create opportunities. Leadership begins with trust, [...]
Some people never fail. They’re the ones with no aspirations, no will to excel, no guts. Everyone likely to be reading this, however, has failed. Repeatedly, I might add. What we all have in common is the temptation to simply put it behind us and forget it ever happened. To spit failure out and get [...]
Too many companies are plagued by “sandbox leadership,” with executives behaving more like spoiled toddlers than responsible adults. We’ve seen this attitude reflected in the halls of government and corporate boardrooms across the country. Arrogance, pouting, tantrums, personal attacks, and betrayal of trust seem to be the order of the day. The nation’s current problems, [...]
Hey, boss! Remember how you asked me what I really thought? Well, I thought about it and decided I really don’t think it’s in my best interests to tell you. In my role it has always been critical for me to tell my boss the truth and it isn’t always pretty and I do provide [...]
When employees engage and actively participle in meetings, they learn a lot more about business goals and performance and their piece in the big picture.
