The COVID-19 crisis has illustrated one of the most challenging aspects of leadership – trying to realistically assess an uncertain future and then demonstrating the courage to make decisions about it today. Unfortunately you cannot Monday morning quarterback the future, and that creates a great deal of tension for leaders. At the time of this [Read More]
Don’t Overlook This!
December 31, 2019 by Leave a Comment
Happy 2020! As the New Year dawns, I am bidding hail and farewell to an old friend. After 42 years of virtually uninterrupted service, my old Kenmore clothes dryer finally let me know it was retiring. Yes, you read that correctly – 42 years for a frequently used appliance. Unheard of these days. Perhaps this [Read More]
The Power of Optimism
November 1, 2019 by Leave a Comment
I recently came across a senior manager who said something like this. “I don’t believe it is appropriate to put on a face of optimism, when everyone knows times are really tough. My people would pretty much know that I would be faking it, and I would look foolish.” Let me get this right: optimism [Read More]
Responding to Change
September 3, 2019 by Leave a Comment
Things change – every moment of every day. The stock market goes up 300 points and the very next day down 800. Every week it seems there is a story of some long-successful business being acquired by some other company. And out of the blue, one of your rock solid customers calls one day to [Read More]
Leading Through Resistance
December 28, 2018 by Leave a Comment
For this month’s blog, we are featuring a new article, written by guest contributor Amanda Nelson. The article offers some insightful thoughts on what it takes to lead during times of great resistance. One of the known certainties of leadership is that there will always be some kind of resistance. What separates the real leaders, [Read More]
To Or From
November 30, 2018 by Leave a Comment
Is it more inspiring to move toward something you want, or away from something you don’t? I am not sure there is a correct answer to this question, as one can make a case for both. If I am on a trail and a bear suddenly appears and starts chasing me, moving away – and [Read More]
The Difficulty of Re-wiring
August 6, 2018 by Leave a Comment
I have heard many people living in older houses talk with great love about the charm or feel of their homes. Part of that love may come from the history associated with the age of the house, and the elegance of some of the workmanship. There is something about antiques that touch a number of [Read More]
Independent Leaders?
November 6, 2017 by Leave a Comment
From over thirty years of research, We see that still today only 5% of respondents indicate that ”Independent” is an attribute they most look for in a leader. There is plenty of justification for that low rating. After all, people seem to want their leaders involved, engaged and connected, not acting aloof or going off [Read More]
The Power of Choice
August 31, 2017 by Leave a Comment
On one recent, rather untypical Monday afternoon, people across the country looked up at the sky and were mesmerized by that cosmic event called the solar eclipse. By all accounts, those who witnessed totality were totally awed by what they experienced. You just did not hear or see anyone using descriptions like OK or no [Read More]
Culture: First Things First
July 28, 2017 by Leave a Comment
The comments this month are generously provided by guest contributor Amanda Nelson. If you run in the same types of circles that I do, you can’t go an hour without thinking about, hearing about or being asked about culture. Everyone is talking about what programs they are implementing, how they are redesigning their organization structure, [Read More]
