Category: Blogs

Do you have a clear, well-thought-out strategy? Do you and your team have the leadership skills to align the troops and get them fired up to execute that strategy? If not, don’t despair, but get to work!

I worked with a private equity group a few years ago that had purchased a founder-led company that was churning along nicely. However, a short while after the investment closed, they discovered that the one marketing database they relied upon to generate revenue was being used without the required approval. Their sole revenue generation technique […]

If you research this topic, you’ll find unanimity around the suggestion that you should spend most of your time with your high performers. But if this is a natural law of leadership, why do many in leadership roles spend so much of their time dealing with problems? This exhortation by itself is not that helpful, […]

I had a good, productive day today because of the list. The list doesn’t appear; you must create it. Once created, it won’t do anything on its own; you must use it. If unused, it becomes irrelevant, though it can shame if you view it after inactivity. There are good lists and bad lists, mostly […]

My youngest son served in the United States Marine Corps and then went to college and had a relatively short career in sales. Searching for the purpose and camaraderie he had in the Marines, he decided in his late 30s to become a firefighter—not easy as there are 100 applicants for every opening, but he […]

In a recent blog, I suggested that people keep an “I wonder…” list of questions. After traveling to Cuba last month, I came back with a few additions. Two are: “Why do we still have an embargo against Cuba when it doesn’t appear to be doing any good?” (my research says there’s no good reason, […]

I just talked with a talented CEO who doubled his top line in less than three years. He built the senior team he wants and “ran” his business in keeping with his values, one of which is empowering his people to do their job. Unfortunately, a private equity firm that values control over empowerment owns […]

Two of the most frequent comments I hear about leaders are, “She needs to focus on execution” and “He’s not good at holding people accountable.” I’ve heard permutations of these in almost every organization I’ve supported and executive I’ve coached. When I ask specifically what that means, I often get blank stares. So, let’s break […]

All the leaders I’ve worked with understand that getting things done through others is their job. The most thoughtful also understand that this happens by encouraging commitment, not control. Commitment is an emotional connection to work. Committed people are “dedicated” and “willing to go above and beyond expectations.” Leaders can count on and trust committed […]

I’m on a flight with my window shade open, looking at clouds, field patterns, a river, and communities. I wonder where the roads go, which community that is, what their major industry is, whether that river has trout. I also wonder why only one other person in my section has their window shade open. I […]