Jul 25 2011
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 3:49 — 3.5MB)
Every leader wants a star on the team. Someone who is a game changer, who can make great things happen with seemingly little effort. Some leaders want nothing but stars on the team. If a member isn’t a star, they just aren’t right for the team. This attitude is becoming more prevalent, especially …
Jul 19 2011
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 3:28 — 3.2MB)
A vision statement describes a leader’s big dream for the organization. It should reflect what the leader wants to happen if nothing were to stand in the way. The mission statement is different in that it’s more concrete and specifically defines what the organization does. To be effective, it must be short and …
Jul 13 2011
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 3:38 — 3.3MB)
I’m often asked, “What’s the difference between a mission and a vision?” That’s a great question as it strikes to the very heart of leadership responsibility: ensuring people understand your dream for the organization, as well as why they are there and what the organization does. A vision is a big dream; the …
Jul 04 2011
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 4:15 — 3.9MB)
This is my annual tribute to the founders of the United States of America. There were plenty of reasons not to be in Philadelphia in July of 1776. It was hot and muggy, and mosquitoes and horseflies filled the air. But, in spite of the discomfort, a small group gathered to discuss nothing …
Jun 29 2011
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 4:09 — 3.8MB)
“I really thought he would work out. He’s a nice guy, but he just doesn’t seem to be the kind of leader we were looking for. Now what do I do?”
When selecting new leaders or promoting current leaders, most executives will give the decision careful consideration, using a combination of experience, intuition, and perhaps evaluation tools prescribed by the company. The problem is, we’re all human and what may have seemed like a good fit initially, will not necessarily work out in the long run. What’s a leader to do?
Jun 22 2011
Things have changed. When I was young, the new generation was expected to conform to the wishes of the older generation. Although not quite at the “seen and not heard” level, we were still expected to listen and wait. Wait until it was our turn, though we were never sure when that would …
Jun 15 2011
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 5:05 — 4.7MB)
Many leaders find decision making difficult, especially when decisions concern something important. This hesitancy is usually rooted in at least one of these four factors.
Jun 08 2011
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 4:04 — 3.7MB)
Are you smarter than your workers? If you said yes, you’re in trouble. Either your ego is out of control or you need to take a serious look at your workforce. Let’s turn that question around. Are your workers smarter than you? Here are some thoughts on the subject. 1. In most cases …
Jun 01 2011
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 3:36 — 3.3MB)
Is your strategic plan really a strategic plan? Many of the plans I see are really marketing plans in disguise. Now, before all you marketing whizzes jump me let me say that a marketing plan is important for any business. In fact, it is a critical step to success. But, it must be based on something else; a solid foundation that clearly explains three critical questions.
May 25 2011
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 4:35 — 4.2MB)
“IMF chief jailed on sexual assault charges.” The headline was splashed across newspapers and websites around the world. If you’re not familiar with the event, the now former head of the International Monetary Fund was arrested in New York City for an alleged sexual assault against a hotel worker. The story became the subject of conversation around the dinner table with friends the other day, as I’m sure it has at many tables around the world. A friend wondered how a person could reach a point where they believed such behavior was acceptable.
