The Leadership Caffeine Blog
Effort is necessary. Results count.
Effort is necessary. Results count. As an undergraduate at the University of Illinois, I was shocked to receive a C+ on a submission in my business writing course. This was a project I had put considerable effort into and expected to be rewarded with at least an A....
Effort is necessary. Results count.
The leader should recognize and reward results, celebrate successes, advance those who demonstrate the acumen to get things done within the boundaries, and remember to adjust the pace to reflect the human need to recharge before tackling the next big thing
Five big mistakes to avoid when changing careers
An important part of any career shift process is minimizing risk. Here are some lessons learned about key traps, including one big one that I encountered on my own career re-mix project.
The Mind-Deadening Gravitational Pull of a Leadership Singularity
There’s a force at work in too many organizations imposed by senior leaders that gives the appearance of action but reflects cognitive and productive paralysis. In these cultures, leadership becomes a kind of gravitational singularity, sucking the life, creativity, and productivity out of the culture.
Manager, not interested in climbing the ladder but still want to thrive? Develop in these six areas.
If you truly want to thrive and scale your impact without chasing the climb, you’ll invest in yourself and do the heavy lifting essential for growth.
Jump-start building your influence by mapping and assessing
In this latest article in my ‘Build your influence’ series, I share three steps to map and assess the influencers who affect you.
Rethinking resolutions — tips to bring meaningful goals to life
There’s something cleansing about the start of a new year. While nothing has really changed between 12/31 and 1/1, there’s the feeling that we have a fresh canvas to paint the life we’ve imagined. Many of us do this through resolutions. I I’m a fan of resolving to do...
From Manager to Strategist: How to Use Strategy Tools to See Your Situation Clearly
Regardless of your level, you can start to familiarize yourself with the tools of strategy. They are tools for thinking. Choose your tools carefully, practice with them diligently, and remember that they are only as good as the hands wielding them.
The myth of ‘just let your work speak for itself’ Influence Fitness Series #1
Getting ahead in the workplace is a blend of several important factors, including your abilities, results, alignment with your boss, culture fit, and others. Yet, there’s an X-factor that too many good people overlook: influence born of relationships in the right places.
Final Thoughts — Lessons on Leading from Growing Up Around Dad
Dad conducted a master class in overcoming adversity as a child. From an early age placement in an orphanage to navigating poverty, suffering from severe crossed eyes until a radical surgery in his teens, he personified tenacity. We called it “sticktoitiveness,” and to Dad, this was a key to success. He carried this forward through his life.
Life and Leadership Lessons from My Dad’s Early Life
I wrote recently about the journey and travails we navigated this past Summer as my Dad struggled and eventually passed. In this article, I share some of the many life and leadership lessons I learned from this remarkable man.