Train and Measure; Don’t Find and Punish
I visited a well-liked and very busy restaurant in Fort Worth yesterday. It?s the kind of place where you order your food up front, and then someone brings it to your table for you. The food was great, but the lady taking my order was less than hospitable. Customer service! How can we increase the […]
A Visit Home
Today’s article is about my recent?journey to my home country. I’m writing on?a plane over the Atlantic on my way to?my home country of Lebanon. In 1990, at the age of fourteen, I left Lebanon for the United States of America. And until now, twenty-five years later, I?ve never returned. As I’ve prepared for my?visit […]
How Likable Are You?
Not much is written in leadership about a leader?s likability. Actually, I can?t recall hearing about it once in print or at conferences I’ve attended. I find that unusual when, in fact our likability as leaders is actually very important. Being a likable person does not guarantee your leadership success. But if you are not […]
When People Don?t Do What You Ask
You ask someone to begin doing something differently. You ask them nicely. You explain it clearly. And maybe?the change happens once, and that?s it. They simply refuse to continue doing what you?ve asked. They don?t refuse outright, but clearly they are trying to get out of doing what you?ve asked them. How should you respond? […]
Two Powerful Principles of Leadership
There are many high points?in leadership. And the best of these moments involve people: a leader who finally moves up to the next level, a relationship that keeps getting better, or a team who simply gets it. Likewise, there are many low points?in leadership. And the worst of these moments also involve people: a person […]
Stop Whining, Start Fighting
Life is a fight. At?times I find myself grumbling or whining. Not usually to anyone else, but to myself. I rarely even realize I am doing it. It is a subconscious hum…?Why am I doing this?? ?Why is this not working?? ?I am so tired and run down.? ?I wish I was just lying on […]
The Secret to Dealing with Conflict
Just like a heart attack, when conflict starts it’s too late. Irreparable damage to the relationship has usually already occurred. Pain and drama engulfs our consciousness. And?our time and energy are consumed in the process. So how should we deal with conflict? We must deal with conflict just like I deal with heart attacks with […]
Do You Feel Discouraged?
Are you discouraged??I thought as I developed as a leader and matured as a person, I would stop getting discouraged. But that has not been the case. Rather, I have?improved in another area. I have become more resilient. I have become more capable?to navigate the discouragement and failures I experience. Let me show you what […]
Five Poignant Points in the Life of a Leader
Sometimes we?get knocked down. Hard. Those of us in leadership need?to expect these times, learn from them, and stand again. Last year?a staff member left our team. She had only been with us for about three months, but still her departure hurt. I felt sad, even defeated. I had seen so much potential in her […]
Don’t Invade. Invite.
Great leaders do not invade. They invite. They do not invade people?s boundaries to pull?them along on the journey. They invite them to join them instead. When we are willing to show others the respect they deserve, it completely alters our approach. Invasion tears people down. You only have to watch three and?four year-olds play […]