As I write this, the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics just finished, and I just watched arguably the most talented skier ever — Mikaela Shiffrin — make tragic mistakes in three events she had a high likelihood of winning. Shiffrin is on the podium so often that when she doesn’t do well, it’s shocking — though […]
Over the holidays I was pondering what I wanted for my clients in the coming year and it occurred to me that I would want the same things for anyone in a leadership role. Short and sweet, here is what I hope for you in the coming year! I hope that you and your family […]
I had a three-hour drive from a client meting to the airport recently through mountainous terrain. Luckily, my rental car had satellite radio. I was listening to the news on NPR when a feature piece on reducing traffic accidents came on. If the two-lane road were not full of curves (or if I were driving […]
Perhaps your dad or mom was a successful entrepreneur. Or perhaps you’ve been a hardworking, loyal part of the machinery that helped build a company. Now, however, you’ve been promoted to CEO and are wondering: “Do I deserve this? Will people respect me? How do I change course without upsetting Dad or Mom or the […]
Some of the most rewarding work I’ve done is work with new CEOs. The gap from senior executive to Chief Executive Officer may not seem that large but every CEO I’ve worked with would tell you that it is much larger than it appears. An MBA doesn’t prepare you to be a CEO though it […]
I don’t play well with everyone. In fact, I’m a bit particular about whom I work with. After working as an advisor and coach for many years, I’ve developed a profile of the clients who are most successful after our work together. These descriptors, you’ll note, are more psychographic than job-related — not related to […]
Have you ever caught yourself thinking, “Damn, I wish I had his natural ability!” Not so fast, buckaroo! Peyton Manning couldn’t throw a perfect spiral when he came out of the womb, and Albert Einstein couldn’t do math. Pat Conroy couldn’t write, and Charles Lindbergh couldn’t land an airplane! (OK, Nat King Cole might’ve been […]
I’ve had a few recent inquiries from bright, talented people who want coaching. They’re all in significant roles that can bring tremendous value to the company. Unfortunately, they work for Luddites who won’t pay for coaching. In fact, their efforts to ask for mentoring from their boss resulted in a cold shoulder and comments such […]
One statement I’ve heard too many times over the years is, “I wish my boss would talk to you/read your stuff/get a coach.” In truth, many organizations don’t foster honest conversations, nor do they use any type of 360-degree feedback process. So many senior executives breathe their own exhaust, believing they lead and manage effectively […]
John Common, CEO of Intelligent Demand, is a friend who’s helped companies with organic revenue growth for years. We had an interesting call recently, and he shared what CEOs do wrong, from a chief revenue officer’s (CRO’s) perspective, in supporting growth: They don’t know about or believe in One Revenue Team — they don’t view […]