“Focus on building a track record of success, and people will keep betting on you.” I was reading an article by Adam Bryant, a columnist from the New York Times.  For 10 years, he’s written a weekly column where he interviews a CEO and describes what he learns.  He is wrapping up this series and is moving on to something else.  He wrote his last column yesterday. Since it was his closing address, he offered some summary thoughts […]

I’m reading a book by Pete Carroll. He says one of the great strategies for good leaders is to “learn your learner.” Here’s the concept.  Everyone is different so everyone learns differently.  He teaches his coaching staff to expect differently.  He expects his coaching staff to be flexible in accordance with the styles of their learners. In other words, he believes that coaches who believe there is only one way or style to coach will always fall short […]

I had a professor named Eugene Jennings at Michigan State who asserted that being an information manager was key to succeeding in organizations. He said most people are “cup down” vs. “cup up” information managers.  Let me explain: He would hold up a coffee cup and tilt it downward, as if he was pouring the liquid out of the cup.  His theory was that “cup down” wasn’t the best approach. “Cup down” information managers know […]

I was reading a random article on the safest way to hike.  I don’t hike much but it looks like an attractive hobby. One piece of advice stood out.  It applies to our everyday lives. The risk was getting lost.  What do you do? Ms. Davis, the author, said don’t panic. “Remember, the mistake isn’t getting lost, but how you respond to being off course. Do not immediately rush in the direction where you think the ‘right’ trail is.” […]

“Consistency is the most important skill you can learn. Be known for it.” – Joe Holka Consistent people show up. You can set your clock by them. Consistent people do their jobs. They don’t need a quality inspection. They understand their roles and perform them. Consistent people interact predictably. No unexpected mood swings. No hypersensitive responses. They are marked by their emotional maturity. Consistent people value teamwork. They model it. They expect it in return. […]

Dr. Henry Cloud, one of my favorite authors, says this: “Think of your past for learning, or to feel gratitude.  Never for punishment…. of you or anyone else.” Do you beat yourself up for what you should or could have done and didn’t? Do you carry around mistakes you’ve made longer than you should? Are negative experiences now defining what you will do in the future? Are there people whose past actions cause you to […]

What is your “attitude’s” reputation?   How would the people close to you describe your attitude? Take a few minutes and reflect on it. Jot down the words.   Positive. Caring. Service-oriented. Friendly. Adventuresome. Fun-loving.   It could go the other way: Bad. Lazy. Negative. Scared.   The lists can be long and varied. But the people who influence outcomes and lead most effectively are aware of their attitudes.   They are aware because somewhere in their history they took control of their attitude. They decided what […]

“Patience is choosing to control your emotions rather than letting your emotions control you.” – Mark Merrill Are you a person who desires to be more patient? If so, how are you attacking it? This quote from writer Mark Merrill suggests emotions are at the center of patience. Here’s my experience with patient people: They can wait. They resist the impulse to react to situations and act only when they come up with a plan. […]

I heard Cynt Marshall, the president of the NBA Dallas Mavericks, describe her leadership style in three words: Listen, Learn and Love. Leaders often feel compelled to talk. They have the floor. They expect to fill up the air with words. Marshall’s formula reminds the leader to hold back. An effective leader understands that there is untapped knowledge, insight, ideas, and solutions amongst the team. A leader who “listens” allows that information to come forth. […]

I can’t do my job well without the assistance and participation of others.  Someone must give me direction about what to do.  They must give me clear targets for which to aim. They must give me feedback on how I’m progressing.  They must help me hone an edge by upgrading and redefining my targets as stuff changes.  Someone must help me.  I’m not all things to all people.  Mine is not a “one-person” job.  We […]