When I work with groups of leaders, I sometimes ask a simple question: “How many of you appreciate getting the big picture up front?” Nearly every hand goes up. Then I ask the follow-up question: “How many of you consistently give the big picture up front when you communicate?” The raised hands all suddenly disappear. … Read more
Leaders often solve problems to save time. A simple visible cue can help them ask better questions, clarify expectations and build more ownership. Most leaders know what good leadership looks like. Ask more questions. Set clearer expectations. Give feedback sooner. Let people think before jumping in with the answer. Then the day starts. A team … Read more
Somewhere between Zealand Falls and Galehead Hut, I realized that looking too far ahead was not helping me move faster. It was making me less safe. The trail demanded something more immediate. One wet rock. One root. One ledge. One careful shift of weight at a time. That is also how leadership works in periods … Read more
One of the fastest ways to lose credibility and trust as a leader isn’t through incompetence, arrogance, or bad strategy. It’s through vague communication. For the most part, leaders aren’t trying to be unclear. They mean well. In fact, they believe they’re communicating effectively. I was recently coaching a senior executive, let’s call him Dan. … Read more
Spend enough time around leaders and you’ll hear a familiar phrase: “My job is to hold my people accountable.” The phrase is often uttered with a high degree of certainty. “Holding my people accountable” is one of those phrases that sounds right, feels important, and shows up in just about every leadership conversation. But if … Read more
Empathy can be defined as showing people that you understand them and care how they feel. That sounds simple enough. But why is showing empathy—especially in the workplace—so hard? Everyone in the workplace values empathy and recognizes empathy as key to driving performance outcomes. The top four perceived benefits of being an empathetic organization are: Yet, for … Read more
Personal responsibility is the onramp to success. It’s the recognition that you are the architect of your own life, responsible for the decisions you make, the actions you take, and the outcomes you achieve. It serves at the foundation for effective leadership in your own life, and the key to influencing others, regardless of your … Read more
Over two thousand years ago, Publilius Syrus was referencing leadership when he wrote, “Anyone can hold the helm when the sea is calm.” Calm is not the first word that comes to mind to describe 2020. By all measures, this year has been an ocean of commotion. As the wave of one crisis crashes into the next, … Read more
“Plan your Work and Work Your Plan”. Napoleon Hill “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.” Mike Tyson Louis, a Director at a financial services company, is having a hard time adjusting to work from home. Work was demanding back at the office. Now, it’s exhausting. Louis said, “By 1 … Read more
Photo by Viktor Talashuk on Unsplash In my eighth grade science class, we took a test where we had to look at circles and try to read numbers inside the circle. The first few were easy. But, as it went on, I couldn’t see any more numbers. My classmates laughed at me. They were shocked … Read more
