Strategies for Business Leaders
Practical, actionable, with a hint of inspiration. Every week in your inbox.
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Succession: The Wolf That’s Not at the Door
If succession is not among your top 3 priorities, it has you fooled, lulled you into believing that it’s not urgent. And it might not…
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What You Need Instead of Executive Presence
If there’s a catchphrase that promises a magic, silver bullet for new and seasoned executives alike, it’s executive presence. Why? Because it attempts to capture…
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Are You Building Leadership Capacity?
Yesterday was my first run in almost two weeks. During a particularly rainy period, I got of the groove. I wish I could report, as…
You’re Invited! Registration Closing Soon
If you’re a consultant, coach, speaker, or entrepreneur, I’m hosting a special event on May 31st in Charlotte. Join me for a regional meeting of…
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When Drama Is a Good Thing
“We know you,” the manager at my favorite hotel said to me. Earlier that afternoon, after I’d finished a business lunch and my guest had…
Can Your Team Function Without You?
That’s how I define a self-correcting team™. There are other important elements, but the bottom line is can your team execute flawlessly in your absence?…
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Into the Wind
A recent trip to the beach found me running into a pretty strong headwind. So strong, that my visor blew off my head. Three times.…
The 5 Reasons Not to Waste Your Money on a Coach
Your team runs smoothly, you’re consistently able to focus on your strategic priorities without getting caught in the weeds, you delegate true responsibility with confidence,…
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Are Sales and Engineering at War?
Then you’re probably spending time on the wrong things – namely playing referee between whether the sales team should sell something that’s yet fully developed…
Announcing an Upcoming Special Event
I wanted to let you know of this special event that I’m hosting for the Society for the Advancement of Consulting on May 31 in…
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It’s the Beginning of Q2. Where’s Your Strategy?
Buried in a drawer from the off site at the beginning of the year? Still an idea that has yet to be turned into action?…
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It’s Not Your Strategy That’s the Problem
Most of the time, when I’m leading a senior executive team through setting strategy, idea generation is not the problem. In fact, ideas are often…
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You Almost Missed This
It was cold, drizzly, about 40 degrees Fahrenheit, and there was more work yet to do in my office. The end of day was nearing,…
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Don’t Delegate. Control, Instead.
Most of my c-suite clients need to delegate more. It’s almost always part of our work together because many are preparing for an elevated leadership…
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What Not to Say In Your Town Hall Meeting
Don’t say much. Of course, share updates, successes, future focus. Give specific shout outs to exemplary teams and team members. Talk about the road ahead,…
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Interviewed on the AFP Podcast for Magnificent Leadership®
I had the pleasure of being interviewed by Ira Apfel for the AFP Podcast in advance of delivering a keynote on innovation at their upcoming…
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Are You Working Hard Enough?
I was out on a run in Tucson, moving over rocky, hilly terrain, when I realized that even though miles are important, their quality might…
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Building Lateral Performance
It’s no surprise that clear and consistent standards and expectations are part of building self-correcting teams (see last week’s blog). But an added benefit and…
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You Don’t Need a High Performing Team
If you’re running a company, a region, or a business unit, you don’t need a high performing team. You need a self-correcting team. Why? Because…
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Most Like Yourself
I’ve recently had conversations with two different clients about how they can most be themselves as leaders, bringing the whole of their talents and abilities…
A Different Kind of Shutdown
No one employee is likely to be so important as to cause a huge glitch. In most cases. But. Are your processes smooth and seamless…
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Interviewed on the Leading Learning Podcast for Magnificent Leadership
It was an honor to be on the other side of an interview when Celisa Steele of Tagoras interviewed me for the Leading Learning podcast. …
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It’s Official: My New Book Has Hit the Shelves!
Magnificent Leadership has just been released. In it, you’ll find CEOs, artists, and even an elderly widow, who share their stories of leading through uncertainty…
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If It’s Good Enough for Buffett
You’ve got a succession plan, right? Or at least a strategy? You’ve identified those critical roles in your organization that need backup? And you’re grooming…
Are you elevating your leadership as your business grows?