“There’s a fine line between fishing and just standing on the shore like an idiot.” ~Steven Wright When it comes to fishing, a lot of fishermen use a leader (an additional section of wire or line) to quickly connect or replace the hook or the lure to the fishing line. The type of leader…
“It sure did kick up some excitement in the Senate when one Senator called the other Senators ‘sons of Wild jackasses.’ Well, if you thought it made the Senators hot, you wait till you see what happens when the jackasses hear how they have been slandered.” ~Will Rogers I think it is fair to say…
No one ever said that being a leader was going to be easy. In fact, I believe that being an effective leader is one of the greatest challenges one can face in their lifetime. Why? Because it requires a fundamental shift in how you perceive your work and how you go about getting things done. As…
“Arrogance is the surest path to failure.” ~ William Butler Yeats Leadership Arrogance: Are You A Monkey’s Uncle? Leadership Arrogance can destroy you, your team, and a whole lot more! A while ago I received a third unsolicited email from a “leader” in my industry. I have never met this person, don’t know them, and…
Leadership Isn’t a Reward for Performance, It is a Calling! The way most organizations choose a leader is to promote a good performer. Even though they may lack the skills, talent, or even the desire to lead. In other words, leadership is a reward for great performance. We take our top producers, promote them, and…
A colleague and I were having a conversation about the overall effectiveness of leadership development programs. Both of us have been coaching and developing leaders for more than twenty years and so comparing notes was both enlightening and educational. While discussing some of the challenges, we came to the conclusion that there are certain factors…
Why Leadership Development Fails or When Ads Subtract Yesterday, I sat down at my computer to catch up on the latest news, I opened up my web browser and clicked on an article. In less than a nanosecond my screen was filled so many ads that I could not decipher article from the ads. So…
The Single Biggest Cause of All Leadership Failures … Nearly 46 years ago, Kellogg’s released the first television commercial for Eggo® brand frozen waffles. The commercial shows an Eggo® waffle popping out of a toaster which is immediately grabbed by a father and son simultaneously while they both repeat the phrase “Let go of my Eggo!”…
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…
Are You a Good Leader or an Extraordinary Leader? The difference between a good leader and an extraordinary leader is clear in the minds of their people. When a good leader is present, their people say “Look at what they have done!” When an extraordinary leader is present, their people say, “Look at what we have accomplished!” What do your people…