For almost 30 years, I’ve been talking to clients about the coming labor shortage. Time and again, I’ve worked to encourage and motivate leaders with the truth that how we manage and engage people is critical to survival. Even if you didn’t believe that 10 years ago, it was true then. But now, it’s true…
The 1 Trait 97% of Exceptional Leaders Share (Long before They Lead Anything)
I can quickly recognize people who will excel in leadership positions, often long before they’re anywhere near that level. I don’t have a crystal ball. But I do have enough experience to have identified the single most consistent indicator of leadership potential. Of course, many traits can contribute to success in leadership. And no 1…
Quick Thought: Symphonic Leadership
I visited the symphony a while back. Sitting in the audience, waiting for the conductor to arrive, I was struck by a metaphor relating individual people on a professional team to individual instruments in an orchestra – each tuned to their own frequency, playing their own sound. What happens when the leader arrives? My comment is…
What are my strengths? This Tool Is Your 1st Step.
“Okay, okay, I believe strengths are important…but what are MY strengths?” Friend, if you’ve said or thought these words, I applaud you. But if you’re just here because you want to pinpoint your strengths before an upcoming interview…well, that’s a great first step too! Either way, you’ve already overcome at least 1 of 2 big…
Podcast: Answering a Strengths-Based Question
A hypothetical was put to me recently – one that I’ve lived out in real life many times, incidentally. It went something like this: You’re approached by a young man, just out of college. He’s been trying to determine his next move. “All my life,” he says, “my path has been laid out for me.…
Blocking, Tackling, and the Long-Game Courage of Great Leaders
Transcript: I’m going to talk today about one of the key reasons I see that many managers never become the excellent leader that they could become, but rather remain trapped in a cycle of short-term, manager focus, thereby sub-optimizing their long-term potential. Listen here: Transcript continued: Ironically, the way this happens is by too…