Be a Leader – Be an Ally

I had the wonderful opportunity to present to a cohort of leaders at a major corporation last week.  The group of 75 came from around the country. They had been selected based on their upwards trajectory at the firm and their promise as leaders. Can you picture them, looking good and proud and enthused.  I … Continued

Making Practical Use of the Power of Leading by Two

406 words. 3 minutes reading time.  Here are two simple images of an organization – a classroom, locker room, a start-up, a division: The drawing on the right is excerpted from fascinating work by Professor Wayne Baker of the Ross School of Business.* My simple point is this: Which would appear more dynamic and powerful?  … Continued

What the Front Lines Want from Supervisors

NOTE:  I will be presenting at the TEDx Berkeley event this coming Saturday, March 9.  Tickets are available by clicking here.  Enter SPEAKER-NETWORK for a 35% discount. Supervisors Two weeks ago I invited your thoughts on what it is we want from first-level leaders. So, today a simple report out from the 165 respondents among … Continued

Women, Men, are Turning the Corner

Thank you to the 117 of you who have answered my 2-question survey on first level supervisors. I think we would all like to see a bigger “N,” so here’s a second chance: I’ll take Dan’s survey on what I want(ed) from a first-level supervisor. I’ve been surprised by the initial results and will write … Continued

What You Can Learn from Two California Bellwether Leaders

I posted a variation of this article on LinkedIn last week. Ever wonder what a bellwether is? It’s a sheep. More specifically, a wether is a castrated male, equipped with a bell, leading the flock. In modern parlance people refer to “bellwether states,” and California has long been known as America’s bellwether state. It has … Continued

Are You a Strong Leader?

Leaders are supposed to be STRONG, right?  Look up strong on Google and click on “images.”  Here’s the first of many similar images: One thing is obvious, right?  The figure to the left is a GUY! There are other images on the Google search.  More bulging boy biceps. You’ll also see near the top, the … Continued

Leaders Move to the Front – How Will You?

For almost 20 years I’ve been writing this blog. When I wrote my first book I came to see “everyday leadership” as the simplest banner for my point of view. I have always sought to distinguish authority figures from leaders. You don’t have to have a title to lead.  I’ll never stop making these three … Continued

Two Ways You Can Enlarge Your Impact and Influence

Bruce Wilkinson wrote a wonderful book a few years ago called the Prayer of Jabez. It was a self help, spiritual, business crossover that made the New York Times best seller list. It’s worth reading, and here’s the Cliff’s notes:  Jabez prayed to God:  “Enlarge my territory.” Most everyone I know aspires in some fashion … Continued

Check the Wiring – Check Yourself

Last week (Bosses: Check the Wiring) I wrote about how my wife Jennifer had been asked by a group to speak about the election and, how when she asked me to be a sounding board for her as we drove to the event, I (somewhat rudely) balked.  I instead asked her to consider letting me … Continued

Bosses: Check the Wiring

I took a big step for me on Sunday, leading up. Next week, I’ll share why it wasn’t so easy, and why it might shed a little light for you, as you lead up. Today I want to tell the story and extract two lessons for people in positions of authority. My wife Jennifer and … Continued

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