Featured Posts
What got you here and why you should care
Our accumulated life-to-date experiences cause us to believe in and rely on the abilities we think got us here. “It worked last time; I’ll try it again.” It’s not hard to imagine that we could use these [...]
It’s not about you anymore
One of the great discoveries about participating in leadership is that “it’s not about you any more.” You can focus your energies, efforts and expertise on that vast population of … others! ...leadership is about [...]
Strategic choice
At a basic level strategy answers two questions: where will we play and how will we win? Should everyone in our business know those answers? If they don’t, how can we expect them to know [...]
Create your legacy
Standing for something is not always comfortable. Yet, discomfort brings engagement and change. Discomfort means you're doing something that others were unlikely to do, because they're hiding out in the comfortable zone. Standing for something [...]
There are two kinds of simplicity
There are two kinds of simplicity. The first is on this side of complexity. It is easy, cheap and superficial. It doesn’t ask for much. Neither does is give much in return. It will often [...]
How will your future arrive?
What got us here wont’t get us there. Many, if not most, upwardly mobile executives made a name for themselves by solving hard problems. While that is a valuable skill set, it rarely opens the [...]
Give yourself a break
We all need to get away sometimes. “Away” doesn’t have to be somewhere exotic, or some place that involves boarding passes or long car trips. Not even a weekend getaway. Just a respite; a brief [...]
Context matters
If you change the context, you change the meaning of something. For example, if you desire more clarity, add contrast. Contrast creates clarity. Watch the video. . In Other Words... One should use common words to [...]
Do you communicate with authenticity?
Communication is more that speaking words. It’s more than just delivering content. Consider Albert Mehrabian, Professor Emeritus of Psychology at UCLA, who has become known by his work on the relative importance of verbal and [...]
Are you too smart for your own good?
OK, you’re a smart person. Really smart. Earlier, during your education and your career, your “smarts” were both reinforced and rewarded. Good for you! You’ve done well. There is a pattern of behaviors for people [...]
Mythbusting: why executives don’t give more praise
I won’t say I’ve heard it all, but I have heard a lot when it comes to “Why I don’t give much praise.” It’s interesting that praise (positive reinforcement for behavior/results that you want repeated) [...]
Better praise for better performance: 5 tips for improvement
Solid self-esteem does not negate the need for outside affirmation and praise. It’s the feel-good reward for the do-good activities and results. Affirmation is asserting the truth or existence of something. Praise is an expression [...]