Leadership Articles
I?m Asking Your Opinion, Not Giving You My Authority
We must be clear that when we ask for?advice, we are not giving away?our authority. When we seek consensus, we are not forfeiting our right to the final word. The best way to?lead is with?gentleness, and that’s what I practice. However, that only works when?everyone is clear who has the final authority. I learned the […]
When Everyone Knows You Are Angry, But You
It is sad and somewhat comical. Someone gets really livid. But when challenged about why they are so upset, they snap?right back, ?I am not angry!? When everyone knows you are angry except you, you’ve got problems. I want to talk to you today about how to control our emotions. We Must Be Aware of […]
People Know What’s Inside
If your raw thoughts and feelings literally scrolled across?a screen on?your forehead, what would it read? Would it say, “I am so annoyed at you?right now!” Or, “What an idiot…” Or, “I can’t believe I ended up with this person.” As a leader, if your thoughts and feelings were displayed?on your forehead for all the […]
Do You Hate Confrontation?
When I ask leaders why they avoid talking to people in the face of difficulty, they often say, ?I just?don?t like confrontation.? When?leaders avoid confrontation at all costs, they will have problems with their teams and organizations. We all know we need to do it. But?no one?tells themselves, “I can’t wait to be obnoxious and […]
Do It Anyway
As I look over my life, I?ve got to admit, sometimes I get scared. I hesitate. I lose focus. I run out of momentum and the desire to keep pushing forward.?Have you ever felt that way??Many times as leaders we give up. And sometimes, we don’t even realize we have. If you lack courage, it’s […]
Dare to Write Down Big Dreams
Big dreams?even seemingly impossible dreams?can come to pass for you and those you lead. And here’s how… On December 4, 1776, Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence. Together with the other daring signatories, this statement was boldly endorsed: ?We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are […]
Are You Thinking of 2016 Yet?
It?s already November. I hope you are beginning to reflect on this year and plan for the one ahead. I want to share the three steps I am taking to close out 2015 and begin 2016. Block Time to Reflect and Plan I recently heard Alan Mulally speak. He is the former CEO of Boeing […]
What Are Your Strengths?
As I look over my life story, through failures, tears, and struggles, I have learned that I have a few strengths that have helped me navigate the mountains and valleys. Over the years, as I have identified these strengths, I am more dedicated to?live in my strengths. Whether or not?you?are already familiar with the topic […]
Be a Leader of Ideas and Action
When the world-renowned Singaporean leader, Lee Kuan Yew, died this year, one of his greatest fans and exemplary journalist, Fareed Zakaria, said this of the beloved statesman: ?Men of great ideas are rarely also men of great action.? He added that Mr. Yew had both qualities, and in the opinion of Mr. Zakaria, this combination […]
Hiring the Best
A few days ago?we invited the CEO of a large organization to speak to us. After he concluded, he fielded some questions from our staff. One of our managers asked, “How do you motivate people?” He?responded, “Bring on people who are aligned with your values and whose life purpose aligns with the purpose of your […]
Transform Your Leadership with Love
I have three simple expectations of the leaders who work with me: (1) their people love them, (2) they take responsibility for the culture, and (3) they show me they are growing. So how do I measure how a leader is doing in these areas? I begin by listening to?what their people say about them […]
Wise Words from Uncle John
I am an uncle. I have seven beautiful nieces and nephews ranging in age from 3 to 14. I am learning what a?brief opportunity we have to make a lasting impact?on the children in our lives. It?is a?powerful lesson about family leadership I gleaned?from an amazing man I just met, Uncle John. If you have […]