In today’s world there is quite a bit of discussion about the word authority, and for the most part it has a tendency to be spoken of in a negative context. We too easily associate it with force, brutality, and manipulation, which is far from its original meaning. Force is about control and is the…
“The most important decision we make is whether we believe we live in a friendly or hostile universe.” ~Albert Einstein You would have to be living in a cave tucked away in the Himalayan Mountains to not see the hostilities that are raging around the world. The Ukraine, Multiple conflicts in the Middle East,…
“Force, no matter how concealed, begets resistance.” ~ Lakota Proverb Your ability to lead others is directly tied to your ability to influence them. One of the tools you can use to more powerfully influence others is the use of story in your interactions. Stories can magnify a point or grab an audiences attention during a…
“Ego is probably one of the biggest poisons we can have – it’s toxic to any environment.” ~ Jonny Kim Herod the Great, Attila the Hun, Emperor Nero, Genghis Khan, Henry VIII, General George Custer, Napoleon, Robert S. LBJ, Nixon, Saddam Hussein, Mao Zedong, and 1000’s of others failed miserably because of their inability to…
“Leadership is a privilege to better the lives of others. It is not an opportunity to satisfy personal greed.” ~Mwai Kibaki I am often asked about whether leaders are born or trained. I personally dislike the use of the word training when it comes to developing leaders. I believe we train animals…we educate leaders.…
“The tragedy of life is often not in our failure, but rather in our complacency; not in our doing too much, but rather in our doing too little; not in our living above our ability, but rather in our living below our capacities.” ~ Benjamin E. Mays A few years ago, I wrote a…
“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” ~ President John Quincy Adams Not very long ago, I had the opportunity to kick off a new group for our, Art of Leading, Coaching, & Influencing Others™ Program. It is an advanced learning experience that…
“Knowing when to leave may be the smartest thing anyone can learn.” ~ Burt Bacharach Over the years I have had the opportunity to work with or present in front of 1000’s of leaders. On occasion, I have been asked, What makes a great leader? What are the traits of a great leader? Can…
“Without the why, the how and the what don’t matter!” ~ Dr. Nido Qubein More than 20 years ago, before anyone started talking about the importance of having a “Why,” an incredibly wise mentor of mine, Dr Nido Qubein of High Point University, told me, “Joe if you don’t have a why, the how…
Eleanor Rigby, Waits at the window, Wearing the face that she keeps in a jar by the door, Who is it for? ~Lennon & McCartney Is it me, or does it feel like there is a constant bombardment of advertising and commercials, each promising you a happier, wealthier, and healthier life if you just,…