Wake-Up Calls for Managers
For the hard parts no one prepares you for
When the path isn’t clear, the stakes are high, and the answers aren’t obvious—this is where managers struggle most.
Wake-Up Calls for Managers delivers practical, real-world guidance for navigating:
- Tough conversations
- Leading through uncertainty
- Building influence without authority
- Driving results through others
The Leadership Caffeine Blog
The Problem(s) with One-and-Done Training for Manager Development—And Two New Programs that Solve Those Problems
Be Very Suspicious of One-and-Done Training for Professional Development The reflex action in most organizations for professionals is training. "Let's send Lucero and Erik to New Manager Training at (name your training organization)." In and of itself, there's nothing...
The Problem(s) with One-and-Done Training for Manager Development—And Two New Programs that Solve Those Problems
One-and-done type training programs for manager development consistently fall short. A proper professional development experience blends expert instruction, cohort-based learning/sharing, coaching, and time. For time, the issue is months, not weeks. My thoughts and two new programs that deliver the right blended experience.
How to Get the Most Out of Your Coaching Experience
The opportunity to work with a professional coach is a game-changer for many in their careers. Those who derive the most out of their firm’s investment in their development tend to display these 10 important behaviors:
The Discipline of High Performers
I love former Navy Seal, Jocko Willink’s personal mantra: “Discipline equals freedom.” The development of and rigorous attention to discipline in every area of our lives is the difference-maker when it comes to succeeding or failing. Through out the resolutions and instead, start by developing discipline around one small activity. It’s contagious.
Leadership Caffeine—The 7 Tools of Great Leaders
For now and forevermore, vow to be a leader that serves as a source of growth. To do that, employe these seven powerful tools…
Life and Career Lessons from Tony Bennett
From his early life family struggles to serving as an infantryman in World War II to marching for civil rights in Selma, Tony Bennett personifies what it means to be a model citizen. And as impressive as his civic contributions are, his career and life lessons in remaining relevant across the decades are priceless for all of us.
Quit Waiting for Somebody or Anybody to Show Up
It’s time to break thru the status quo of inaction around problem-solving, improving, and innovating in our organizations. Change is a personal issue played out in group settings. It’s time for you to start the revolution of action!
Leveling Up in the Face of Change is THE Issue
In a recent discussion with a potential literary agent for my book proposal for, “Level-Up—The Career Guide to Surviving and Thriving in an Era of Change,” the agent suggested that books built around the theme of “change” were unlikely to sell. That perspective is preposterous. Learning to help our organizations navigate change while constantly leveling up in our own careers is a core challenge that all of us face in our professional lives. We need more help on this, not less, regardless of the views of publishers. Here’s why…
Leadership Caffeine—Teaching Your Firm to Survive a Crisis
Crises happen and the right top leadership and organizational response is essential for survival. Unfortunately, too many of these events catch our firms and top leaders unprepared. A starting point is to adopt a standard of required behaviors in the face of a crisis. Consider these “10 Commandments for Acceptable Corporate Crisis Behaviors” as a starting point.
Project Management for the Rest of Us—Getting Started
Congratulations, you’ve been named to lead an important project initiative! Now what? While the growth in formally trained and certified project managers is accelerating, in most organizations, many of the important initiatives are led by functional managers and technical experts. If you find yourself in charge of one of these programs without a background or training in project management, this new series is intended for you. This article identifies some of the critical front-end work necessary for success and offers suggested “getting started” resources.
Why Some Lead and Others Choose Not To
We criticize our leaders easily, yet few are willing to raise their hands and pay the price that comes with a leadership role. The most effective leaders understand the costs that come with the role and are driven by a higher purpose to help others.