Tag: how to be a better leader
The Fleeting Nature of Time
Somewhere along the line, we come to the realization that nothing lasts forever; that it’s not clear how much time we have on this earth – and it is clear we have a limited time to work and make an impact; to work with people we love, to live with kids we enjoy. Someday, YOU too are going to DIE! If we’re lucky, we achieve our happiness goal before it’s too late. Mature leaders realize their own mortality and take action to experience the rewards of a life lived in the here and now. Are you in denial of the truth of aging and death? What are you avoiding, putting off, making more important than it needs to be? You […]
The Real Cost of Being a Road Warrior
Recent research is showing just how big the toll of travel can be on business executives. Beyond the physiological, the long-term effects of travel are psychological and social. Researchers Scott A. Cohen and Stefan Gossling, from the University of Surrey and Lund University (Sweden) respectively, investigated how frequent, long-distance travel is represented in mass and social media. They found that the images portrayed do not take into account the damaging side effects of frequent travel such as jet-lag, deep vein thrombosis, radiation exposure, stress, loneliness and distance from community and family networks – Ouch! What the study reveals is how we are lured into thinking travel, especially international travel, is glamorous. The travel industry folks are masters at seduction and […]
Effective Leadership Tools – STOP YELLING!
Are you a Little League coach or a professional business executive? Where is the research that says leaders who yell finish first? Is this a fact? Why do so many people yell at their stupid, incompetent, immoral, unaccountable, non-strategic thinking staff? (Yeah, that one makes almost everyone want to yell!) What does yelling at people do? Does it motivate them? Does it prove who is right and who is wrong? We do it to our kids because it was done to us, but does that make it effective? We often yell at ourselves because we are neurotic overachievers, but does that mean it will work for others? What is your goal when you yell at your staff – to punish, […]
What do Great Leaders Really Believe?
I am passionate about leadership. Leaders have a huge impact on the lives of so many people and yet anyone can be a “leader”. I find the responsibility enormous and the credentialing non-existent. I am also a pretty introspective guy – ideas and reflections seem to persistently pursue me. My latest internal dialogue led me to see what other visible leaders say about leadership. As you read these quotations, consider if you could have said this or what part you could challenge based on your own experience. Then ask how often your behavior aligns with the values implied by a quote that inspires you – aligning with your values as a leader takes work and is often isolating. My fav […]
Has Your Ability to Focus Made You Blind?
It almost goes without saying that the ability to focus is important – almost. Without being able to focus on a goal, you’ll most likely never reach it. Successful people often have laser-like focus on their goals and let nothing take their eyes off their prize. However, at least according to some people, it is possible to be too focused. How can that be? According to an Inc.com article by Paul B. Brown, author of the new book Entrepreneurship for the Rest of Us, the problem with carrying too much focus is that it can lead to a couple of interrelated problems: Wearing blinders – When you over-focus on a single goal, it may blind you to the possibility of […]
What Kind of Person Do You Want to Be?
First a disclaimer: I generally do not value books on leadership. They are similar to books on dieting and addiction, in that more information is not the answer, and leadership books are least helpful to people who lack the natural talent to lead. Most writers on the subject have their own business model that’s driving their writing: write a book, get on the speaker circuit, and build a consulting practice. They rarely offer new ideas and most of the information is anecdotal; that is, not supported by quality research. However, there are a few writers on the subject that have stood the test of time, use hard data, and are cited by proven, world-class leaders. These are Peter Drucker, Warren Bennis […]
Do You Have the Courage to Fail?
Is there really a “formula” for success? As it turns out, there kind of is, though the “formula” may not contain what you expect it to. In fact, although all of us bring different talents, experiences, and values to the table, the most successful among us possess characteristics that we can all develop. Here is a short list of the qualities that can lead you toward success… Keep your head on straight – Yes, attitude really does make all the difference in the world. A positive mindset, even in the face of diversity, will lead you toward a successful outcome more surely than anything else. Stay focused on your goals rather than the challenges you’ll have to overcome to reach […]
Play to Your Strengths or Die
What are your strengths, not just as a leader but as a person, too? Perhaps the most dreaded of all questions in a job interview is, “What are your strengths and weaknesses?” After all, listing too many positives can sound like bragging, and who wants to admit they even have areas that need improvement? The thing is, even if you’re not currently looking for a career change, a periodic self-assessment can be a great tool for self-improvement, greater success, and yes – increased happiness. The best way to accomplish this is to use pen and paper and to take some time for an honest evaluation of yourself as a leader, and as a person. Break your self-assessment down into three […]
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