How do you define leadership? Over the years I’ve used several definitions of leadership. Here’s one to consider: Leadership is the ability to help people and organizations surpass themselves. Leaders enable others to be better than they’ve ever been, and take their organizations to places they’ve never been. The acid test of leadership: are your people and/or…
The millennial generation has been entering the workplace and is not interested in the status quo. Gone are the days where flexible schedules, work mobility and challenging projects were earned over time rather than requested in the interview. Many people would say that this is because the millennial generation has the expectation that the perfect…
1. Stop worrying. If you can’t do something about what worries you, worrying won’t help. And if you can do something to address your worries, then do it. Action is the antidote to worry. 2. Learn something new. Add to your reservoir of knowledge and keep your learning skills in shape by periodically tackling new…
How do you “delete” a customer or client? Here’s an example: I found a great masseuse near my office. Getting older and living in airplane seats makes therapeutic massage a necessity for me rather than a luxury. I liked the online scheduling option so used it to make appointments. Last time I tried to schedule… Continue Reading [icon name=”icon-angle-double-right”]
How do leaders accomplish more than others? And how do they achieve great things with others? I believe a leader’s success is due to his or her IQ: implementation quotient. That is the difference between common knowledge and consistent application. Implementation isn’t just about having good ideas; it is about acting on them. In a… Continue Reading [icon name=”icon-angle-double-right”]
In the most recent Five Friends post, “You’re Fired,” there is a common thread. The situations and the kind of people or organizations who got fired vary greatly, from a landscaping company to a restaurant chain to a medical doctor. The reasons for the firings vary, too. Some were triggered by something relatively small like a… Continue Reading [icon name=”icon-angle-double-right”]
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” ― Nelson Mandela Recently, I had the opportunity to speak with a group of seventh graders from Berean Christian School. Their teacher, Kevyn Brown, had them read the Fred Factor and then we discussed the book over Skype. I was really…
“It never hurts to ask.” We often hear that said. But is it true? Recently someone asked me for a favor. The request came in an impersonal form email. I had some business dealings with this person many years ago. Since then, I had heard from them only once when they asked another favor. I was…
What does it take to make teamwork work? Teamwork happens quickly and naturally when: 1) everyone on the team knows what needs to be done, 2) they have the skills and ability to do it, 3) there are no barriers to prevent them from doing it, and 4) they are willing to work together to…
Every leader yearns for a team that rises above merely “going through the motions” to get the job done. The dream is a team that distinguishes itself by its excellence, a team that displays enthusiasm, innovation, and a sense of ownership. The question, of course, is how to lead a team to that place of…