Strategies for Business Leaders
Practical, actionable, with a hint of inspiration. Every week in your inbox.
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- book ·
It Will All Work
Whatever training or education that you decide upon. Sales training. Management training. Customer service training. For the most part, it will all work. The question…
- C-Suite ·
Optimum Leadership Performance is Not an Accident
It’s a marathon that requires speed, yes, but also, stamina. Who are the people that charge you? How can you be sure to get time…
What’s the Work that Lights You on Fire?
Do that, and you’ll likely be successful. And have fun. You’ll work harder, but it won’t feel like a grind. You’ll stretch, but your focus…
When the Economy’s Good and Your Retention Isn’t
Look to leadership. It’s one of the most significant levers, if not the most significant, for retaining top talent. Because when people have options, they’ll…
Don’t Promote Your Star Player
At least not because they’re great at the game. As it turns out, star players often make poor coaches. Because the skill sets are so…
Cracking the Code of Accountability: 5 Steps that Don’t Require Being in the Weeds, Playing Mom or Dad, or Feeling Like an Overlord
I was talking with a client about how to get more from their team, specifically more action and effort toward driving sales and meeting goals. …
- C-Suite ·
How Can I Help?
Is one of the most powerful questions to diffuse a tense interaction. But our tone and intention must align with our words to be effective.…
- book ·
The Best Time of Day to Make a Decision
Doesn’t exist, really. Because if you’re like my clients, you have important decisions to make at all hours of the day (and sometimes night), and…
It’s Not on the Paper
We just finished the new ventures launch at UNC’s Kenan Flagler B-School this weekend. It’s an intense, fast-paced program for EMBA students who fly in…
The Virtue of Being a Chameleon
Not in your ethics or values. Those stay fixed. But in your ability to move with comfort and confidence across a broad range of audiences…
- book ·
Raising the Barre
About two months ago, I started taking barre classes. It is not an exaggeration to say that up until very recently (as in, last week),…
Your Weakest Link
Is likely your 2nd in command, your #2. For three reasons. You don’t have one and therefore are doing too much that takes you away…
- book ·
It’s Not Enough to Say What’s Wrong
You’ve also got to describe the alternate behavior that you want. Otherwise, you’re leaving someone with feedback that they can’t do a whole lot with.…
Technical Knowledge is the Greens Fee
That’s what gets you onto the course. And later, noticed. But leadership – of self and others – is what elevates you. For more on…
- book ·
Fear is a Fuel Line
One of the recurring themes that I heard when I was interviewing leaders for The Making Magnificence Project® was that they were afraid. Of failing,…
More Than a Quarter Left
What if you went out of the gate this month with your mindset from January, looking forward to what was possible, viewing the months ahead…
- book ·
Your Front Line is Your Bottom Line
In DC last week for client work, I arrive at my hotel to discover that the requests I’ve made in advance regarding my room are…
- C-Suite ·
The Right Question
Isn’t about why something is happening. The better question, if not the right question, is: What am I Going to Make of It? …
- book ·
People or Process?
Both. Processes aren’t flawless, ever, and you need great people with the discretion and authority to make the right decisions when processes need to be…
Readiness
Is not the same as being prepared. Or knowing what lies ahead. It is not the absence of fear. Rather, it is simply the place…
Trusted Advisor or Executive Coach?
If you’re a CEO or division president, you likely need a sounding board, confidante, and devil’s advocate. The phrase “lonely at the top” might describe…
- book ·
The Most Influential Type of Influence
After landing in Ithaca last week, I was greeted by my best friend who invited me to go straight to dinner. And in that moment,…
Preparing for Promotion
Strategic prioritization is one of the key domains that I address with coaching clients, particularly if they’re moving into elevated leadership roles. A few questions:…
- book ·
You Can Do Without a Great EA
But it’s not a great idea. One of the first things that I look at when working with a leader who’s been elevated into a…
Are you elevating your leadership as your business grows?