Culture
What did you expect?
One of the popular sayings I heard early in my management career was “people don’t do what you expect; they do what you inspect.” The underlying premise of this statement is that unless you watch and keep an eye on people, they will inevitably stray off course and take advantage of you. It is built…
Read MoreDo you celebrate?
Imagine how your culture would shift if you put as much energy into celebrating your team’s achievements as they did to accomplish them. My challenge for you as a leader is to become your organization’s celebration czar. Shift your focus from what is wrong to what is right. Find ways to celebrate the big and…
Read MoreIf you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.
“…we used to experience disruptions followed by periods of stability, change now is increasingly perpetual, pervasive, and exponential. “ – Harvard Business Review A laser is simply a focused beam of light. It can cut metal or perform the most delicate medical procedures because it is focused. If you want to make meaningful change in…
Read MoreStrategic Planning: Start Well, End Well
The new year is knocking on our door, and if you’re like me, you’re thinking about ending the year well. What I love about the end of the year in the good ole’ US of A is how we gather around tables with family and friends to eat and share stories. If your family is…
Read MoreThe speed of relationship
Society beckons us to move faster, run harder, and produce more. So we invest in better software, the latest technology, and the next shiny thing that promises better results. But I have a hunch. Maybe the key to growing your organization is learning to move at the speed of relationship. What does that mean? It…
Read MoreThe key to longevity
I recently visited Boone Hall Plantation near Charleston, South Carolina. This plantation was used in the 2004 movie, The Notebook, starring Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams. The driveway leading to the mansion is lined with live oaks leading to a rock and iron entry gate. Although not part of the original script, this is the…
Read MoreConsistency & Time: The keys to building mutual respect
My wife and I recently had the privilege of taking a 10-day road trip in our RV. On our way home, we visited the Red River Gorge in Kentucky. The signature geographical feature there is called Natural Bridge. As you can see from the picture, it is majestic to behold. The crazy part is, this…
Read MoreWhat is winning?
A few weeks back, I was at a sports complex with some close friends watching their children play rec league soccer. Now, I know you may be thinking, what does rec league soccer have to do with growing a business, leading people, and developing my next leadership level. Let me indulge you for a bit.…
Read MoreCelebration is powerful.
What is worth celebrating? Anything you want to be repeated. Celebration has not come easy for me. I grew up with a father who had a strong work ethic. Finish one thing and then move on to the next. You shouldn’t expect to be congratulated for doing your job. My father was rarely wrong, but…
Read MoreEnjoy the journey.
I just got back from a week-long trip to Alaska. This time of year, it is light 24 hours a day and we attempted to make the most of every hour of daylight We had a wonderful time. My wife and I went to see our son and daughter-in-law. We ate like pigs, played cards,…
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