My favorite food is homemade pie. I come by this naturally, as my Dad used to famously say, “I only like two kinds of pie; hot and cold.” While I can’t quite say that, there is little doubt how much I love pie. And I’ve had lots of it too. As a kid growing up we had fresh pie nearly every day all summer. I learned why many years later when my mom admitted, “I learned that if … [Read more...]
Ethical Leadership: Don’t Abandon Your Core Values to Do the Job
My definition of "ethical leadership" is one that I have synthesized over time, and I am sure draws heavily from various resources I've read, experiences I've had and stories I've heard from colleagues, clients and friends. Here is how I define Ethical Leadership: Knowing your core values and having the courage to act on them on behalf of the common good. There is much I … [Read more...]
7 Ways to Help Employees Reach Their Creative Potential
Would you like your team to be more creative? Let me clue you in on something. It isn’t about techniques or strategies. It isn’t about hiring more creatively gifted people either. The most important first step to helping your employees become more creative is to believe that they have creative potential. So, once you believe it is possible for people to be more creative, … [Read more...]
3 Times You Should Change Your Perception
Have you ever left a movie and talked with someone about it, and it seemed like the two of you saw two completely different movies? You each noticed different things, cared about different aspects and were moved in different ways by different parts of the film? Since we each have our own powerful perceptions, that is easy to understand. Each person sees what his/her brain … [Read more...]
7 Tips for When You Don’t Feel Like a “Real” Leader
You've just stepped into this exciting new role as leader, and mixed with the feeling of accomplishment, pride and enthusiasm may be a little apprehension. After all, you've never led a team before, and you may not feel like a true leader just yet, especially if you are managing people who are older or more experienced than you. I'm here to tell you to take it easy on … [Read more...]
A Better Way to Look at Change
Change. The mere thought makes some of us want to run and hide because change almost always requires extra effort, whether that effort is to log more hours, deal with chaos for a bit, or simply change one's attitude about something. Change takes time, energy and money, and it is usually difficult. It's normal to be skeptical of change. That said, change also creates great … [Read more...]
Turn That Frown Upside Down: Tips for Improving Your Bad Attitude
Do you have a bad attitude? I'm not suggesting always, but sometimes? Most people do. It's hard not to when things are going bad. Besides, you're only human, and you deserve the occasional off day. That said, as a leader, when your attitude stinks, it quickly rubs off on your employees. If everybody's in a funk, productivity is going to sink. So, while you may want to sulk, … [Read more...]
5 Really Good Reasons to Read More Biographies
In a recent post, I asked the question "What Are You Reading?" and offered tips on how you should read to improve your skills and knowledge. Today, I am going to explain further why I think you should be reading biographies. Mark Twain wrote “The man who does not read good books is no better than the man who can’t.” Walt Disney said “There is more treasure in books than … [Read more...]
Why All Great Leaders are Salespeople at Heart
Leaders are salespeople—and great leaders are great salespeople. You may not buy my idea (after all, I am trying to sell it to you). If you don’t buy this premise it’s probably because you have some beliefs/images/thoughts about sales people that contradict your beliefs/images/thoughts about leaders. If you already buy my idea then you will love what’s to come. If you … [Read more...]
Training is an Event. Learning is a Process
I say that often. It’s part of my personal philosophy, and it’s part of my business philosophy. Let me explain. People around the world (you included) buy learning materials, books, audio programs, and webinars and attend lectures and workshops every day. Those learning options exist whether you want to learn about leadership, leopards or being a lifeguard. Companies and … [Read more...]