It’s the holiday season, and no matter who you are, what you believe, or what your background, you can participate. So go ahead, celebrate: The people in your life who support and help you. The successes you’ve had. The opportunities presented this year. All the things you have that bring you joy. All the things … Continue reading Celebrate

The holidays are a time where we think about giving, or more specifically, sharing. We all have luxuries. These are things we don’t need, we just want because they make life easier, prettier, or more fun, but they are unquestionably things we don’t need to survive. Do you get your lawn mowed by a service? … Continue reading It’s a good time for sharing.

This is the time of year when there is a lot of selling going on. It makes sense. Most businesses make their nut during this time of year so selling is paramount. It’s too bad that we’ve made this season so commercial but that’s for another post. Anyway, selling, why this? My problem with sales … Continue reading Does your selling have integrity?

What is empathy? It’s the ability to appreciate the feelings and emotional state of others. And while you may not for the life of you understand why something troubles or brings joy to someone, the practice of empathy allows you a notion of their sad state or happiness. Empathy is by definition about others rather … Continue reading Empathy is an investment.

Thanksgiving is a great holiday. It’s open to all. It’s not tied to a religion, ethnicity, race, creed, or anything else. Everyone gets Thanksgiving on their calendar. It’s a day to be grateful. It’s a day to share. It’s a day to do good. It’s a great day to make these things habits. I’m very … Continue reading Thanksgiving is great.

As a leader, are you more interested in recognition or in getting things done? Recognition is about you. Results are about a team because you only get results with a team. Even the loners who think they do it all need a team. A writer needs a publisher and readers. A composer needs an orchestra … Continue reading Leaders move things.

When someone on your team has a great idea, what’s next? Well, you need a plan. You need answers. What are the specific steps? How do we do it? Who needs to be involved? When will we see a finished product? If you’re the manager and you want smoother sailing, don’t look for answers in … Continue reading Do you make your team owners?

Have you ever noticed that some companies solve your problems while others act like you are here to solve theirs? Businesses need to understand, the only reason for business is to help customers accomplish things. Customers don’t solve business’s problems, they need businesses to solve their problems. That. Is. It. All businesses are in the … Continue reading Solve problems or don’t bother.

According to 1976 Nobel Prize-winning economist Milton Friedman, the purpose of business is to increase shareholder value. Wait, what!? What about everybody else that contributes to a business’s success? If Friedman’s right, 80% of contributors are unimportant, or, at minimum, just replaceable cogs in a machine. “But, Neal,” you cry, “the shareholders provide capital.” Yeah, … Continue reading Friedman was wrong. Helping is the point.

“If you’re not cheating, you’re not trying enough.” How do you feel about that? I know a lot of people who chuckle at that thought and talk about there being truth in it. But I think it is indicative of so much that’s wrong in our world whether it’s sports, business, or any other endeavor. … Continue reading Doing right. What’s your guide?