An audience member recently asked me, “What is the biggest change you’ve seen in leadership in the past 30 years?” I didn’t have to think about it long. “The biggest change I’ve seen isn’t in leadership,” I replied. “The biggest change is in followers. They don’t think of themselves as followers anymore.” When was the…
Lots of speakers and consultants like to scare audience and clients. “If you don’t change, you’ll become extinct!” Here’s the funny thing: I see lots of staid and stodgy companies that haven’t changed much in years and don’t look like they intend to change any time soon. Extinction—going out of business—is always a possibility, but…
Over 25 years ago when I was a young speaker in the business, I met Bernie Swain and Harry Rhoads, the founders of Washington Speakers Bureau. They were then and are now true class acts, and they were very supportive and helpful early in my career. Bernie has written a great new book about the…
Everybody eventually dies. At an emotional level that is very sad. At an intellectual level it is merely fact. We don’t spend much time thinking about our eventual end. Lacking that awareness, many days are filled with wasted moments, missed opportunities, bad choices and mediocre behavior.
Frank Sinatra sang that even though he’d had regrets, they were too few to mention. I’ve had more than a few business regrets and hopefully I’ve learned from them. I share some of them here in hopes that you can learn from my regrets so they won’t become your regrets.
Leaders generally don’t like it when things slow down. It usually means that business isn’t as brisk as desired. And even though many complain about being too busy, just as many or more complain about not being busy enough. What do you do when activity is slow and you’ve got excess time? Do you panic?…
Social media is ubiquitous. In 2015 Digitaltrends reported that Americans check social media a staggering 17 times a day, or at least once every waking hour. I want to talk about three things that are often done that annoy the daylights out of those of us checking our accounts. (Disclaimer: to my friends and followers…
My long time pal Joe Calloway advises to say no more often so you can concentrate on what matters most. Personally, I’ve used his advice to great advantage. Saying no is a skill but so is saying yes. A good yes is never tentative. The best decisions are made with gusto and implemented enthusiastically. I’ve noticed a…
Strengthen your creative capacity! Part of being a leader is innovating and thinking creatively; this is like a muscle you have to exercise. 1. Read broadly. The diversity of what you read is as important as the amount and quality if you want to uncover fresh ideas and stimulate insights. 2. Notice carefully. The world is…
Here are 5 questions to get you moving: What have you been putting off doing for too long? Start it. What don’t you like about yourself? Change it. How are you working against yourself? Stop it. What is your favorite excuse? Remove it. What one thing if you did it consistently would make you more…