Sony’s “private” e-mails are now getting pasted all over the news and Internet. Talking heads everywhere are lamenting the fact that this “could happen to any company.” Top Sony executives are apologizing and mentioning that the e-mails were hastily written between friends, without much sensitivity. And of course (this is the United States, after all),…
What E.T. & Lou Gerstner Teach Us About Excellent Customer Service
We all remember that iconic little alien E.T., who so wanted to get in touch with his home ship that he repeated his “E.T. phone home” mantra right into the #15 slot of American cinema’s top 100 quotations. But what our present day ETs (Executive Teams, that is) don’t always remember is that anyone who…
Peel the Paint: 4 Tools for Discovering Purpose
Your life purpose is like a 100-year-old, natural walnut bookcase that’s hidden in the back corner of a consignment store. It’s beautiful and valuable at its core, but it’s been painted over so many times that no one imagines it’s priceless. With lots of work, the original wood will begin to show. (But even then,…
Lessons from Managing Nobody
I spend my days discussing leadership qualities with executives of every stripe. And, at times, with non-executives – with people whose job it is to manage absolutely no one. Sure, the content of the conversation changes based on what a person’s role is within the organization. But much of the big-picture context – the focus…
Personal Vision and Life Purpose
Purpose and vision are 2 of the most impactful tools that you, as a leader, can bring to your team—and that you, as a person, can bring to your life! These are the building blocks to your future, the picture of who you are and where you want to end up. We often hear about…
A Purpose Bigger than the Super Bowl
With more clients interested in discussing vision and purpose every day, I’ve lately been reminded of a famous old 60 Minutes interview with Tom Brady. With multiple Super Bowl rings at home, a supermodel girlfriend on his arm, and a presumably very bright future spread out far ahead, the most remarkable part of the interview…