“I trust my gut.” I’ve heard that from countless leaders over the years. Well, of course you do! If you didn’t trust your intuition at least a little, you’d probably need to book a standing appointment with a therapist. Intuition is fast. And speed can be a gift. But here’s the catch: intuition bypasses conscious […]
I often talk with clients about avatars. No, not the blue aliens or virtual reality characters. I’m stretching the term a bit here. In Hinduism, an avatar refers to the earthly appearance of a deity, but I’m using it to describe the mental presence of someone who isn’t physically there. Whether visible or invisible, an […]
The recent political season and coming transition has me reflecting deeply on leadership—and not in a “Let’s follow their example!” kind of way. Most of you reading this are business leaders, and while I don’t give a damn about your political affiliation (honestly, please spare me), I care deeply about your behavior as a leader. […]
Yesterday, as I looked out my home office window, I spotted a young, energetic black Labrador zigzagging across my neighbor’s yard. Nose to the ground, she was clearly on a mission. Ten minutes later, my wife came upstairs and asked me to check out a different window. There, perched 15 feet in the air, was […]
I’m currently reading War by Bob Woodward. In it, he describes how Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin begins each meeting on the war in Ukraine by emphasizing their “North Stars” — the key objectives. Each meeting. Great leaders know how to stay focused on key objectives. I “grew up” (sort of!) as a member of the management […]
On a trip to Cuba this year, I spent a day and a half in Havana with friends before boarding a boat for some fly fishing in the flats, far offshore. It was both fascinating and unsettling. Many of us, as Americans, likely have an image of Cuba that’s a mashup of cigars, rum, classic […]
It’s all about conversations. Every tool and assessment I’ve used as a coach to CEOs is really just an entry point into a conversation. In the work I do, people most effectively gain understanding and find their own way by talking, not taking tests or assessments. I stopped using most assessments and other tools because, […]
A recent article in the Wall Street Journal reported on the leadership change at Chipotle after their CEO was poached to run Starbucks. The article suggests that the new CEO, Scott Boatwright, has a straightforward job: “Don’t break it!” Years ago, I was called by a private equity firm to coach the CEO of one […]
I need a two-week vacation with frozen libations And flip-flops propped up and a view Of a wide-open ocean where the world’s in slow motion An umbrella, two blue chairs, and you —Zac Brown Band, Two Blue Chairs and You Many of my clients over the years have sucked at vacations. Some didn’t take them […]
In my work with leaders across various organizations, I often interact not just with the CEO but also with a layer or two deeper within the organization. Sometimes, there’s a disconnect between the C-suite and those who are responsible for executing the strategy, leading to inevitable frustration. There are two questions that, if answered, can […]