Taking the credit for a bonehead decision is tough, especially when your career/life hangs in the balance on that decision. Machiavelli once said “All courses of action are risky, so prudence is not in avoiding danger (it’s impossible), but calculating risk and acting decisively”. Niccolo Machiavelli known for his win at all cost […]
Perhaps the New Year has blessed you with that well deserved promotion or after going through a series of tough interviews you finally landed that dream managerial job, life is good….at least at the moment. I speak a great deal about corporate ambiguity and how it can literally bring a company to its knees; […]
The headline is not a misprint there is a ton a CEO can learn from a high risk child. A few years ago I was asked to speak to a group of at risk high school students who have repeatedly been in and out trouble, and this particular program was the last opportunity to […]
When asked “What’s the most difficult aspect of your job as a manager”? Most managers will say emphatically PEOPLE. Doesn’t matter what context every dilemma/challenge a manager faces has to do with people….according to most. I say according to most because I for one don’t believe that, on the contrary I think people make the […]
FAILING into “Servant Leadership Luck” Because like many of you I’ve failed on more than a few occasions in my life….but I’ve succeeded a lot and not necessarily only financially or career wise but “SERVANTLY WISE”! Prior to venturing out on my own 8 years ago I spent a lot of time working with non-profit organizations […]
Whether it’s volunteering, mentoring or helping the small business down the street the next “Value Proposition” for global success is lifting others. It’s no longer just being a stalwart for social responsibility it’s understanding what’s “good for business”, and the most successful and yes devious companies today understand that giving back is bringing in $$$$. […]
It’s not a matter of threatening or conning…it is a matter of inspiring I don’t care what business you are in your ability to inspire and get the most out of your direct reports is a priceless trait to obtain. Having been in the people management business for many years I’ve yet to […]
As a leader in business your ability to Influence and Negotiate both internally and externally is critical to your business success. These skills come natural to some however I would argue without consistent sharpening even the “negotiating prodigy” can be deduced to mediocrity. If you aren’t a prodigy in soft skills like influence and negotiation […]
To all my CEO’s, President’s, Vice President’s, and Corporate Head’s when you give direction to your direct reports do they get it right? Do you find yourself giving that same direction again and again? Well, I would say the majority of this problem falls on you….not your direct reports. Yep, I said it it’s […]
Recently, I gave a lecture on the perils of leadership and how our view of this sometimes vague attribute gets muddier almost every moment of every day. While going through the various challenges leaders of today experience I had one of those out of body experiences a lot of tenured lecturers have when you’re […]
