How To Play a Real Game of Follow the Leader Follow the leader is a game many of us played when we were children. The rules are simple: do what the leader does or get kicked out of the game. The last person standing wins, and they become the new leader. Sounds simple, sounds like…
Leading Others is a Privilege I am often asked about whether leaders are born or trained. I personally despise the use of the word training when it comes to developing leaders. I think we train animals … we educate leaders. Yes, leaders can be developed. However, if a leader has the skills but doesn’t understand…
When you think about the great philosophers, who comes to mind? Aristotle, Socrates, Epicurus, Confucius, Contrera??? Wait a minute, hold the phone, stop the presses, kill the power!!!! Contrera??? What impact does his philosophy have on the world?
The Art of Leading, Coaching, & Influencing Others™: Integrity & Authenticity A section from Joe’s new book, The Art of Leading, Coaching, & Influencing Others™ coming out later this year. Integrity & Authenticity Years ago when I was married, my wife and I were going through a rough patch and so we separated for a while.…
Leadership: Be Careful … It’s a Jungle Out There! Many years a go 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 their audiences on amazing animal adventures around the globe. As…
The Art of Listening vs. The Ignorance of Interrupting 72 Interruptions … Yes, count them! Vice Presidential Candidate Tim Kaine interrupted his opponent or the debate moderator 72 times in a 90 minute period. That’s once every 75 seconds! He wasn’t interested in debating, he had an agenda and he was driving it home. He…
Leadership Faux Pas #10 – Don’t Be a Jackass! I think it is fair to say that at one time or another we have all worked for a jackass. And while we may be advancing as a civilization, I think we can safely say that jackasses will continue to take up a percentage of leadership positions…
Leadership Faux Pas #9 – Confusing Humility With Humiliation “True humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less.” ― C.S.Lewis Sometimes leaders confuse humility with humiliation. Look up the definition for humiliation and you will see words like … embarrassment, shame, indignity, and degradation. Look up the definition of humility…
Leadership Faux Pas #6 – Being Disingenuous The Ellen Disingenuous Show? Recently a friend of mine was telling me about her experience visiting a series of TV talk shows. I was curious about her experience so I asked her a series of questions regarding the various hosts. What was most astonishing to me was the…
“The single most important characteristic of any leader is self honesty; without it you can’t lead anyone.” Joe Contrera Recently I was interviewed by Dr. Mathew Norton of The Mindfluence Revolution on the topic of Leadership. If you’re interested in hearing the interview simply click here …. According to Joe Contrera, leadership is not a reward…