I encourage my CEO clients to understand their motivations behind wanting their first – or their next CEO position. It is important to understand “the why” before we step into leading others, as it invariably affects behavior and decision-making. The same is true of Board Directors. Understanding why you have stepped into leadership is essential … Continue reading Before You Say “Yes!” to Board Leadership
Shifting a company or board culture from dashboards, measurable objectives, and numbers to “risk and learn” is a journey to sophisticated decision-making and ongoing innovation. We have become so entrenched in the terminology of the dashboard and yet are unskilled in understanding its appropriate application. We have ignored the development of the subsequent decision-making process … Continue reading Risk and Learn
……..Much has been written about Southwest Airline’s alignment, marketplace disruption, and enduring success. Fueling employees’ devotion, passengers’ enthusiasm, and financial fruits, Southwest is a true illustration of positive alignment of vision, values, leadership, behavior, and rewards for all parties – employees, stockholders, and customers. The resulting impact was leveraged exponentially, magnified, and shared! More recently, alleged improprieties … Continue reading “The Big Secret” Teaser – Book Launching May 4!
The majority of the earth’s people are not famous. They will not be remembered in history books, and in millions of cases, not even with a gravestone. They are not influencers on social media or reality show participants. Millions go about their lives quietly and are overlooked by those around them, even at work where … Continue reading Overlooked, Under Appreciated, Invisible – NEVER!
“But we HAVE a strategic plan. Our goals for the next three years are right here in our document and resource deployment is spelled out in our budget. Why aren’t our teams making progress? I’ve sent email after email explaining exactly what I need and ask for weekly reports to update me on where they … Continue reading If It’s Not Clear, It’s Not Clear
York Minster (cathedral) in York, England was begun in 1220 and consecrated in 1472[1]; 252 years of vision, architectural mastery, stone masonry and stained glass design was birthed across three centuries. Those who started the building project on a former Norman site had no hope of seeing or worshipping in the completed Gothic marvel of … Continue reading How Far Will You Dare? How Much Will You Care?
Organizations and people go through developmental arcs. Sometimes the perfect strategy, business environment, talent, resources, and messaging align like the stars. Leaders are collaborative, communicative, and innovative. Employees are engaged, change masters, and motivated. Risk-taking is measured and effective. The focus is on maximizing possibility and not fixation on metrics. Yes, metrics have their place, … Continue reading They Need You to Let Go
Mid-career professionals considering whether to quit their job and go after the big dream; students at the professional doorstep deciding on a major and a life path; the unexpected job offer; deciding whether and whom to marry; committing to having children – there is usually one key question left dangling in the middle of all … Continue reading The Big Question
“What a shame. That’s unfortunate. Wow. I would never have believed….” Disappointment, that’s what happens when imperfect people, and we all are, fall short of the mark in leadership. Whether personally involved or not, when it becomes public, regardless of whether it’s in our little office circle, in the whole company, or in the press, … Continue reading Shame
As we move towards each other for meetings and teleconferences, and past each other, racing from task to task, we sometimes collide. Other times, we effortlessly meld into one glorious ballet of angelic music, harmony, and athletic poetry. In the business world, we label it teamwork or collaboration or synchrony, and we strive with all … Continue reading Why Did You Say, “Yes?”
