Uh, did you screw up the title of this article? You meant that a good leader is consistent right? No, and let me explain why. I received a text message today from a colleague. After explaining a particularly frustrating experience this individual had with someone else under my leadership, the text said in part: "I would just …
Liking Ain’t Learning!
We live in an amazing social media world. Facebook, Twitter, and even Reddit as well as a host of other platforms have changed the way we communicate with friend and foe. Having said that, the concept of the "like" has also changed our perception of quality and impact. Think of a recent time you have …
The 2-Minute Rule
GTD. Ever heard of it? Just Google or Bing "GTD" and you will quickly learn that it is an entire philosophy and methodology around Getting Things Done. Trademarked by David Allen, Getting Things Done is a way to achieve a sort of personal productivity nirvana. Years ago, a colleague of mine showed me this bizarre 43 filing system on …
Telling Ain’t Teaching!
Look, let's shoot straight. Too many training experiences involve a talking head at the front of the room or on a computer screen and you find yourself wishing you had brought your laptop to the meeting or had a second screen to answer email. Really? You would rather respond to email? Only because our minds …
Don’t Make Delegation ERERS
There is no question that delegation is an important principle in effective leadership. Here are five tips to help you avoid making errors when delegating: Define clear ExpectationsRecord each assignmentOffer EncouragementReport on progress and completionShow appreciation for effort I typically try to use acronyms or mnemonics to help me remember key principles or steps to a process. …
Keep Your Ax Sharpened Regarding Leadership
The story is told of two axmen who held a contest to determine who could cut down more trees in a day. At sunrise the contest commenced. Every hour the smaller man wandered off into the forest for 10 minutes or so. Each time he did this, his opponent smiled and nodded, assured that he …
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It’s My Stupidity, Not My Integrity
Why we do dumb things at work and how to help others forgive us. I have been a mid-level manager for eleven years. For several of those years I couldn't seem to reconcile why I could trust a colleague to watch my kids if the need arose, but hated to do business with them. For …
The Word I Learned in High School that Changed Everything
It's no secret that high school has its challenges. But this isn't an article about school reform, youth bullying, or public education's origins in an antiquated industrial revolution model. This happens to be a single success story from my own public high school experience that has served me well in my career post-high school, post-undergrad, …
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