Joe Contrera is the Founder and President of ALIVE @ WORK LLC, a leadership development company dedicated to helping Extraordinary Leaders Achieve Extraordinary Results. He is the author of three books. His latest, Extraordinary Results: Mastering the Art of Leading, Coaching, & Influencing Others, is quickly becoming a must-have resource for leaders in organizations across the country. It will not only change what you believe about leading, it will help you build your leadership skills so that you can successfully influence others.

The Difference between self-centered leaders and extraordinary leaders

Self-Centered Leaders Versus Extraordinary Leaders – Which Are You?

“A leader is best when people barely know he exists, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves.” ~Lao Tzu   These words spoken by the 6th Century Chinese Philosopher Lao Tzu, really captures the heart of leadership for me. Unlike many of the current leaders of today…

Ideas + Actions = Success

Ideas + Actions = Success

“Action is the foundational key to all success.”  ~Pablo Picasso This week we’re talking about success! After pondering the topic I had this realization, ideas are simply thoughts that when acted upon, materialize in the physical world and push us closer to success. For example, every building that was ever built began as a thought,…

The 10 Biggest Mistakes Entrepreneurs Make

10 Biggest Mistakes Entrepreneurs Make!

“Life is like the monkey bars: you have to let go to move forward. Once you make the decision to leap into entrepreneurship, be sure to loosen your grasp on old concepts so you can swing your way to new ones.”  ~Leah Busque (American entrepreneur)   Entrepreneurs are a special breed. It takes a great sense of…

Influence - Leverage the Power of Failure

Influence: Leverage the Power of Failure

“It is impossible to live without failing at something unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all, in which case you have failed by default.” ~J.K. Rowling   One way to more powerfully influence others is to leverage your failures. People don’t realize the power of failure and…

Are Your Emotions Impacting Your Business Decisions

Are Your Emotions Impacting Your Business Decisions?

“When dealing with people, remember you are not dealing with creatures of logic, but with creatures of emotion.”  ~ Dale Carnegie   There is plenty of research on the role that emotions play in the decision-making process. Some folks believe that people make decisions based on rational analysis. And yet, research shows that emotions play a…

Leadership - Be Careful - It's a Jungle Out There

Leadership: Be Careful…It’s a Jungle Out There!

“Anyone can hide. Facing up to things, working through them, that’s what makes you strong.” ~ Sarah Dessen   Many years ago, Mutual of Omaha Insurance Company sponsored a show called The Wild Kingdom. It was a show  hosted by Marlin Perkins along with his co-host, Jim Fowler. Each an every Sunday night they took…

Leadership Development: Is Your Process Transactional or Transformational?

“Training is something you do to animals, education is something you do for people.” ~ Joe Contrera   Transactions & Exchanges When you go through the drive thru at McDonald’s, there’s a good chance you’re not going for a culinary experience. Going through the drive-thru there is a process that happens about 35 million times…