The Leadership Caffeine Blog
It Takes Leadership Courage to Kick Conventional Wisdom to the Curb
The Situation: The candidates were very different. One was the textbook choice—great pedigree, including top schools and a nice progression of assignments for name-brand firms. The other individual didn’t match up well on paper. The assignments for the other candidate...
It Takes Leadership Courage to Kick Conventional Wisdom to the Curb
Resilience, according to one dictionary definition, is the capacity to absorb a shock or a punch and return quickly to original form.
Life and business are filled with shocks and punches. We’ve lived this story for the past few years. And the shocks and punches keep coming, just in different forms and from unexpected places. It takes resilience and leadership courage to absorb the hits and come out stronger.
Great Leadership Remains in the Moment
Too many professionals I encounter add stress to their lives and reduce their effectiveness by forgetting to be in the moment. You cannot change the past but you can control what the future looks like by being present in the here and now.
In Search of Good Operators in Business
We tend to elevate the visionaries in our world to mythological status, when in reality, a good operator is what is needed to save and transform your business. Here’s a reminder on the behaviors of good operators:
Dangerous Words in Business and Six Year-Old Refrigerators
We are often our own worst enemies, especially when it comes to making decisions around failed initiatives (or failing refrigerators). When you hear the words, “with a bit more time and money,” you should run the other way and don’t forget to grab your checkbook.
Leadership Caffeine™—The Cost of a Shortcut
The pressure for results can push people to make small compromises in corporate values. Once you start down this path, the results are potentially catastrophic for you in your career and for your firm. Just ask Volkswagen…
How to Save $1,500 on Leadership Books
The formula for success as a leader is not a secret. In every course, keynote and workshop, I hear people describe the behaviors of the leaders that inspire them. Their formula is consistent and simple:
Conquering Your Fear in the Workplace
Fear in our professional lives robs us of our hopes and dreams. It keeps us from realizing our potential. Externally imposed fear from boss bullies is toxic as well. Both are capable of being neutralized.
How to Get to “Yes” at Work
Improve your success rate with important workplace “asks” with this simple behavioral change:
New Video: 3 Ideas to Help Jump-Start Your Strategy Process
Helping a group align on the hard work of strategy is…hard work. Here are 3 ideas in my latest video update to help you get people working together early in the strategy process:
Profile: The Perfect Trio for Business Success
What do marketing services, running coaching and popcorn have in common? In the case of three young entrepreneurs, it’s all about building businesses, learning and enjoying their careers.