I love the Olympics.
I love the athleticism and the story lines and the preparation and the inspiring moments and the psychology and the history ... and so much more.
Olympic Torch - As I`ve talked with people during the Games, I`ve found that even people who generally aren`t sports fans ... Views: 839
In May of 1961 in Houston, Texas, President John F. Kennedy set one of the biggest goals in human history - to put a man on the moon and bring him home safely before the end of the decade. And many in the U.S., and around the world, thought he was being utterly ridiculous.
The validity and ... Views: 697
Recently I wanted to remove some concrete footings from the property of my boyhood farm home. On the surface these slabs averaged 2-3 feet across and about 8 feet wide. This surface area may not seem very large, but because they had been built to carry the weight of a very large tank I knew they ... Views: 970
The young leader might not recognize it, and the veteran may no longer think about it, but neither situation obscures the truth: leaders influence all the time.
At one level this makes complete sense. After all, as leaders we are trying to take people towards a desired destination, and since ... Views: 852
Recently someone asked what I thought about "servant leadership."
My short answer was that using the word servant is redundant.
Don`t misunderstand, I believe in the concept of servant leadership, and what you read or learn about leadership from that prism is extremely valuable.
It`s ... Views: 849
For years in training around the world I've said – “There is always an emotional component to change.” And people have typically nodded in agreement. After all, personal experience will tell anyone this is true. There have been changes in your life you were excited about, and those where your ... Views: 834
Walk into most any house and you will see at least one (usually several).
They are as helpful as they are ubiquitous.
You use them without even thinking about them and even though you don`t know how they work (or how to program them) you probably use them every single day.
What am I ... Views: 649
The first thing I remember purchasing with my own money that I earned was a basketball.
Basketball GymAs a boy, when I wasn`t working on the farm, often I was shooting baskets. While my high school career stalled for a variety of reasons (being small, 5`9", and having mononucleosis as a ... Views: 934
Tiger Woods.
Lance Armstrong.
Kobe Bryant.
These men are just three examples of people acknowledged to be among the very best in the world at their craft. They all have something in common though that might not immediately spring to mind.
They all have coaches.
While I picked ... Views: 783
I don`t know about you, but I can pretty easily make a top five list of gifts I`ve received for my birthday or Christmas. Some things stand out for their usefulness, some for the thought that was behind them and some just because they were cool.
And while I have enjoyed all the gifts on my ... Views: 684
Twelve days ago I started a series of posts I called The 12 (Leadership) Days of Christmas. In it I said that for each of the next 12 days, in keeping with the song, I would offer you a leadership task, designed to be a gift to both you and your team if you completed it and acted on it. The ... Views: 712
In a recent leadership workshop a participant asked me:
"How can I get staff to think about choices or
decisions and not just react?"
My first thought was of a classic Zig Ziglar story that talks about the big difference one word can make. Zig said (and I`m paraphrasing):
Imagine going ... Views: 3301
What images, thoughts and feelings come to mind when you think of or hear the word "salesperson"?
* Stereotypical, slick-talking, used car sales people
* Well-spoken financial manager
* The guy everyone loves who sells his wares on the golf course
Whether you have positive thoughts and ... Views: 696
While I`ve never worn any sort of corrective lenses, at my age, I am becoming increasingly more aware of my vision.
Things that were once perfectly clear are now sometimes hazy. I once took my vision for granted; now it is becoming harder to do so. (Before you all give me the name of your ... Views: 739
Chances are, in a few days you will be watching the Super Bowl. Whether at a party, or home alone, whether you are a true fan, or are watching for the commercials (or as an excuse to eat), the Super Bowl offers you a leadership learning opportunity, if you know what to do.
Just like the ... Views: 643
I have used juggling as a way to relax, to start conversations, I’ve used it as a metaphor to teach lessons in training, and as a result have taught hundreds of people how to juggle as well.
Since I learned that Saturday was World Juggling Day, I decided to share some connections and ideas ... Views: 915
If you have flown anytime in the last several years you have heard some version of this announcement:
At this time, we request that all mobile phones, pagers, radios, and remote controlled toys be turned off for the full duration of the flight, as these items might interfere with the ... Views: 812
Here’s a safe bet.
If you are reading these words, you’ve been in a meeting this week.
Here’s a nearly-as-safe bet.
You’ve been to at least one meeting recently when you were disengaged, bored, or wished you could have been at your desk getting some “real work” done.
While this ... Views: 699
The topic of leadership style is an important one, and one that usually comes up as I teach leadership to groups everywhere. Sometimes the phrase “leadership style” itself isn’t mentioned, and yet it is underneath many conversations, questions, and even excuses (I’ll get to that in a bit). My ... Views: 649
Trust is all over the news these days. People don’t trust the judgment of a jury in Florida. The Yankees don’t trust one of their star players. The Congress doesn’t trust the President, and vice versa. And now the media is asking people if they trust candidate for Mayor of New York (and former ... Views: 712
Listening is a skill we’d all like to get better at – I can’t think of a time when I asked someone or a group if they wanted to be a better listener and someone said, “no”.
It is a life skill that impacts our ability to communicate, build relationships and get things done. It helps us learn. ... Views: 795
We all grow up with stories. Stories of our family, stories from our friends and stories we read. There are stories we hear at school, at work, on television and in the movies. Stories are everywhere!
And while you`ve been around stories your whole life, you also likely realize that stories ... Views: 1156
Joni showed up at her boss Bob`s office more frustrated than he`d ever seen her. Joni was a relatively new supervisor and had been developing well - but on this day, she seemed, well, different.
When Bob asked what was wrong her frustration came out immediately.
"What do you do when people ... Views: 1255
Imagine walking into an upscale restaurant with a sumptuous buffet – offering a wide range of tantalizing salads, entrées and desserts. (Perhaps a more clear picture will come on Thursday at a Thanksgiving dinner). There are all sorts of foods, providing you with a wide variety of ... Views: 605
We all want it.
And sometimes it is hard to grant to others.
While there are psychological and spiritual reasons why forgiveness is important, that isn’t the focus here. Make no mistake; I am going to try to convince you why forgiveness is important for you and your business ... Views: 650
This coming month, members of the Remarkable Leadership Learning System will be focused building their creativity skills. These are of course important skills for leaders to possess – both for them personally and to support the creative ideas of the rest of their team.
Think about it this way ... Views: 703
Many years ago on the way to lunch an obviously upset friend asked me if he was stubborn, explaining that someone had told him that a few minutes earlier.
Rather than immediately answering him, I paused and asked a question instead. “Do you think you are persistent?”
To which he ... Views: 671
A No-Excuses Leadership Learning Strategy
Leading effectively is a complex mix of skills and behaviors that don`t all come naturally and can`t be mastered quickly (if ever). To put it simply, to be a great leader, you must be a continual learner.
That is easy to say. It is easy to believe. ... Views: 900
Being an effective coach is a leadership skill - as you coach successfully you help create the future you are leading people towards. However, being an effective coach is more than leadership - it is an important life skill as well.
We all can be more effective at coaching in our communities, ... Views: 682
Conquering the Leadership Paradox
It happens all over the world, every day.
Josie is a great performer. She is very good at her technical expertise, and for that she is rewarded with a promotion.
Her supervisor calls her into her office and gives her the good news. Congratulations ... Views: 909
Think of the times in your life when you have grown the most, excelled at new levels and felt the most satisfaction with your life and results. Chances are, in all of those situations, a common element was a challenge that you faced and surmounted successfully.
Whether it was the challenge ... Views: 586
Think of the times in your life when you have grown the most, excelled at new levels and felt the most satisfaction with your life and results. Chances are, in all of those situations, a common element was a challenge that you faced and surmounted successfully.
Whether it was the challenge ... Views: 654
Status quo requires no leadership.
That has been a mantra of mine for a long time. It encapsulates an important point about the role of leaders - leaders are in the change business.
After all, if everything in your organization was perfect, there would be no need for leaders because there ... Views: 834
Achievers are always looking for ways to become more successful; to reach goals more quickly and with greater assurance. And, for centuries authors have been sharing the factors that help anyone reach their goals.
If you consider achievement and achievers, you hopefully would recognize that ... Views: 755
Ask ten people to describe the best coaches they have experienced and chances are seven or more will mention support in some way. Underline and highlight that fact in your personal thinking about coaching.
The best coaches are supportive.
Knowing and agreeing with that idea is one thing. ... Views: 651
Finding a Story for a Specific Communication Purpose
Tom had a major presentation coming up in less than a week, and he was concerned. This presentation was important not only for his team and his company, but also for his career.
He knew that if he did well it would make all the ... Views: 830
Here is some very good news for you.
There is no perfect leadership style, which means there is more than one way to lead effectively.
Why is this good news?
Because it means you, yes you, can become a highly effective leader.
Read that again and let it sink in.
Whatever your past ... Views: 926
You`ve got your goals set. You`re excited about them and the prospects of achieving them. Whether those are true statements for you personally, for your team/organization or both, congratulations! They`re both necessary and important steps.
And, they aren`t enough.
I`m guessing you`ve ... Views: 849
Five Love Affairs Leaders Should Have
Caught up in the spirit of Valentine`s Day, that day we celebrate romantic love, I began thinking again about the connection between the words love and leadership. Before you even read about these five love affairs, you might be put off by using the word ... Views: 1157
Today in 1961, Roger Maris broke the single season home run record of the legendary Babe Ruth when he hit his 61st of the season. Babe’s former record had stood since 1927, and had been seen by many as untouchable (Maris’ record was topped 37 years later and has since been eclipsed ... Views: 612
Oftentimes people look at others who appear to have gained stature or success and explain their results as “luck.” While leaders are rarely as popular or visible as rock or movie stars, more than once I've heard people talk about a leaders as being lucky.
They started at the right company . ... Views: 725
124 years today, something amazing and historic happened. The United States government made about 2 million acres of public land in Oklahoma available to homestead.
Here’s how it worked.Oklahoma Land Rush
Starting at noon April 22, 1889, legal settlers could claim lots up to 160 acres. If ... Views: 632
In our Bud to Boss Workshops we get asked different versions of this question frequently. Sometimes it is asked in a more politically correct way. Sometimes it is asked as a curiosity. Most times, however, it is asked bluntly, directly and with frustration:
"How can I get lazy people to ... Views: 1188
I often do the following exercise with groups (you can try it after you read it, but I’m not sure it will translate perfectly in writing).
“Close your eyes and clear your mind. I’m going to say a word. I want you to think about the word briefly then open your eyes. The word is ... Views: 652
There is a difference between what we can control, and what we can merely influence. Sometimes we get these mixed up and this confusion causes many problems for leaders (and all of us as human beings too). Today, I want to clarify one piece of this mix-up, a piece that starts with us ... Views: 662
At this time of the year being scared or scary is kinda cool – after all it is Halloween! But this is a short season and leaders lead all year long, so the question asked by the title of this piece is a good one – “is it ok for leaders to be scared?”
Most leaders would say No! After all ... Views: 691
When you reach milestones in life, like a 50th birthday, it is a good idea to reflect (actually, reflection is valuable every day, but that is a different post). And as my 50th birthday came and went over the weekend, I reflected on some of the most valuable things I have learned in my work and ... Views: 631
I’ve been thinking recently about the importance of perspective to our role as a leader. And when I recently saw the work of Gus Petro, who put a new perspective on New York City and the Grand Canyon, it prompted me to write this article. The project is called merge (and the website can be found ... Views: 712
Perhaps this post will prove you can stretch a metaphor a long way (almost as far as a mother of six can stretch a pound of hamburger). The reality is that I decided to see what I could come up with because this week is National Hamburger Week. I spent some time thinking about hamburgers and ... Views: 678
I’m a big believer in the power of relationships in leading others more effectively. After all, would you rather (and are you more likely to) follow someone you know and like, or someone you don’t?
In part because of this belief, I have often used an exercise at the start of leadership ... Views: 817