Memorial Day Should Make Us All Better Leaders

Is Memorial Day weekend just another holiday, or does it mean something more to you? Put simply, the lessons we can learn about those we honor on Memorial Day should help make us all better leaders. While this weekend simply signifies a long-awaited prelude to summer for some, it is much more than that for others. As a veteran and lifelong student of leadership, I have always found Memorial Day…

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CEO Marketing Priorities

COVID-19 has made CEO marketing priorities synonymous with survival. CEOs who have a focused, crisp, creative, and clear message, and who understand how to best communicate that message, will navigate the pandemic better than their less-skilled peers. The following are five tips to help CEOs refine and distribute their message during the coronavirus pandemic. Embrace Distance: Virtual is your…

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President’s Day – Part Two

Today's post is the second in a two-part series celebrating President's Day by examining the leadership traits of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. In yesterday's post, I looked at the unimpeachable character of our first President, and in today's post, I'll examine the resolve of America's sixteenth President, Abraham Lincoln. It is an astute person who studies history and applies the…

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A President’s Day Look at Leadership

Since we're headed into President's Day weekend, I thought I'd take this opportunity to author a two-part series in which I'll examine the leadership characteristics of the two Presidents for which the holiday is celebrated; George Washington, and Abraham Lincoln. In today's post, I begin by taking a brief look at the life of George Washington in an attempt to quickly offer some leadership tips…

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Leadership Means Facing Challenges Head-on

Many would say if you're in the leadership business, you're also in the business of dealing with adversity. After all, leadership means facing challenges head-on. Regardless of where you are in your life and your career, I can promise you one thing; you will consistently be faced with challenges and obstacles along the way. In today's post, I will take a brief look at the beliefs that cause some…

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Help – It’s Not a Dirty Word!

With a new year staring us right in the face, I thought I'd dust off an old post as a useful reminder for leaders planning the year ahead -  "help" is not a dirty word. I have always believed asking for help is a sign of maturity as a leader. I think John Lennon said it best: "I get by with a little help from my friends." So my question is this - are you easy to help? Think about it...do you…

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The Difference Between Great Leaders And Posers

What is the difference between great leaders and posers? This may sound harsh, but the truth is I’ve witnessed far too many people in positions of leadership that wouldn’t recognize an opportunity if it hit them squarely in the face. If you cannot recognize, attract, and acquire opportunities you should not be in a leadership position. Just this week I’ve observed people in leadership roles who…

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Leadership – No Talent Required

While not all leaders will develop their talents and abilities to the same level, all successful leaders more or less begin with the same foundation. Here's the thing - the foundational elements of leadership require no skill or talent whatsoever. Clearly the difference possessed by all great leaders is that they refine, develop, and build from their foundation - they don't ignore it or take it…

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Leaders Stop Trying to Be Efficient

Let's cut right to the chase; stop focusing on being efficient - it's a waste of time. Nobody other than perhaps you really cares how efficient you are, but everyone cares how effective you are. Not only do they care how effective you are, but they also care about the effectiveness of those whom you lead. It's important to remember leadership is a people business, and people are messy. Leadership…

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The Power of Focus

I am frequently asked what it takes to become more productive. My answer is simply to become very, very focused. Focus has always been a powerful characteristic that has served me well in all leadership roles alike. Relentless focus results in aligned priorities, order, discipline, and productivity. That sounds simple enough doesn't it? Then why is this so hard for executives and entrepreneurs?…

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Why Best Practices – Aren’t

My thesis is a simple one; Don't copy - create. Don't benchmark against others - benchmark against a unique and better version of you. Don't compete against how others do things, compete against your own thinking. More than 20 years ago I coined the term "next" practices in an effort to focus people forward in their thinking. I've always wondered why any business would want to adopt the same…

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Leadership’s Role in Digital Transformation

Do You Need to Hire a Head of Digital Transformation? News Flash: The #1 thing leaders need to understand is that the Digital Transformation train left the station a few years ago. If you weren't on board back then, you need to stop looking for the next train and rapidly go in search of building a rocket ship. Businesses have run out of time to embark on multi-year transformation projects - that…

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For CEOs, Safe Decisions Aren’t Always Safe

News Flash: safe decisions rarely are. The best chief executives possess the courage to not only seek out the right decision, but they also understand the importance of giving others permission to do the same. We need CEOs who want others to do better and be better. What we don’t need is more CEOs who hide in safe harbors. If you sit in the big chair, you don’t get paid to make safe decisions;…

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Speeding Change by Slowing Down

I have always believed that the fastest path to the future is found through the increasing velocity of change. I don’t believe I’ll get much push-back on that statement, but I’m rather certain I’ll encounter some resistance with my next one: Increasing velocity of change is best accomplished by slowing down. Most CEOs feel as if they’re in a race to change the future, and they would be correct.…

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Thought Leadership – Piercing The Bubble

If you value your own opinion more than others do, you might be suffering from a common form of self-delusion. Referring to yourself as a thought leader makes you a tone-deaf narcissist; not necessarily a great thinker. For my part, I’m in the process of trying to eliminate the term “thought leadership” from my vocabulary. This week, after months of reflection, I’ll be instructing our team to…

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This Word Unleashes Change & Innovation

Have you ever worked for a boss who always said no? If you have, my first guess is it was a frustrating experience. My second guess is you don't hold said boss in high regard as a leader. I've always been amazed at the number of well-known axioms espousing the benefits of learning to use the word "no" with greater frequency. In fact, there are some very bright people who believe you simply cannot…

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