I originally published this column in 2008 and got almost 80 reader responses. Thought it worth sharing with some minor revisions… Do you make anything of this? Last Monday I wrote about “managing up.” I got only 4 blog comments, three of which were random attacks on the Governor that were unrelated to my column. … Continued
What does this say to you? Abraham Lincoln had only about a year of formal schooling. George Washington was schooled by his father, until the latter died when Washington was eleven years old. His schooling ended then. Our two greatest presidents – who led the country through its two most treacherous times – were both … Continued
Would you argue with me if I said that we have become a culture of whiners? Leaders — and of course I use that word not to refer to a position, but to a frame of mind and action — leaders don’t whine. And our world needs us to lead. Whining connotes powerlessness. And maybe … Continued
I led a workshop last week in San Francisco for the Institute for Management Studies, and I was reminded again about how bosses can make their people miserable. This is about how not to do that! Among the 40 or so participants there were about six ghosts, managers the participants had left behind at their workplaces, … Continued
Today is Dr. Martin Luther King Day in the United States. We could move in fifty directions to explore the leadership ground that Dr. King laid out for us, but I want to explore one part of that territory. I always finish this e-column with the line “Lead with your best self.” That line … Continued
Wow! The results from my survey on goal-setting were pretty wild! I figure people who self-selected to do it would be the ones most likely to set goals. A couple things jumped out: 1. Only 25.55% (70 of 274) believe in annual goal setting and do it religiously. Another 36.86% (101) believe in it and “do … Continued
Some see annual goals as essential, others as optional, still others as a waste. How about you? Today, a very simple 3-question survey, with immediate cumulative results. Question 3 might help you think about how to make your goal-attainment more successful. I’d love to have your input! Here’s the link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/J5F56CM Lead with your best … Continued
If you think about your own leadership — the passion you have for something important — I wonder if you might find this line from author and minister Michael Beckwith rings true: “Pain pushes until vision pulls.” I know from my own life that my pains, discomforts and losses became fuel — knowingly and sometimes … Continued
I find myself thinking back to high school. It’s “back, back, back,” as ESPN’s Chris Berman would describe an outfielder’s movement before everyone realizes it’s “long gone.”* I went to University of Detroit High School on 7 Mile Road in Detroit from 1972-1976. The teachers made you feel like they were teaching in an unbroken … Continued
Tis the season to . . . Collect from slow-paying clients. Cram for exams. Grade those exams! Shop. Wish you didn’t have to shop. Decorate. Pray for snow. Pray for sun (December 21 can’t get here fast enough!) Prepare for family – Yay! Boo! Yay! We never lead outside context. There is rhythm to life, … Continued