A recent conversation with a friend… FRIEND: I hate my job. My boss is a terrible person. He never helps anyone, barks orders, won’t let you do your job, no support, ugh. How can I make him see his methods are wrong? ME: Well, you can’t change your boss. The only person you can change … Continue reading You Can Lead
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The Power of Long-Term Leadership
So many people champion Jack Welch as such a great leader, but, at least as far as I believe, the “Welch Way” is the wrong way. At GE, Jack Welch practiced short-term leadership. Life at GE was like a roller coaster ride due to irrational decision-making with little regard for long-term implications. Every year, Welch … Continue reading The Power of Long-Term Leadership
Tearing down walls with WALS
A few weeks ago I was blessed to be able to take a vacation to Hawaii. While there, my wife connected with her second cousin who lives on the Big Island. As it so happens, her husband, Dane, works for Ali’I Ocean Tours, one of those tour companies that takes people out in the ocean … Continue reading Tearing down walls with WALS
Fording the Leadership Stream
Leadership is not about doing all the work; it’s about leading those that do the work. However, that can be very difficult, because, in most organizations, leaders were at one time in that group of doers, now they are in the position of leading the doers and must effectively broker the talent on the team. … Continue reading Fording the Leadership Stream
Let’s Put the Human Back Into People
I was watching an old rerun of a show from the 1970s the other day and one scene was supposed to be a city street, but it was clearly fake. The buildings were all facades. It seriously looked like a back lot instead of a real city street; the falseness made it hard to watch. … Continue reading Let’s Put the Human Back Into People
A New Year Change Challenge
Things are fresh now and it is time to look ahead. I always think this is a time to really think differently and get away from “the way we’ve always done it.” That line of thinking is a killer. It’s a killer to innovation, to growth, and to a living organization where people think and … Continue reading A New Year Change Challenge
Make It Happen
It’s over? It seems as though the holidays just started. I hate it when the holiday season comes to a close, however, at least it's less now than when I was a kid. Back then it was such a big fall off the cliff of buildup and anticipation that started months before with the dream … Continue reading Make It Happen
A Lesson from Mr. Macy
The holidays are truly upon us and it is such a glorious time of year. I always look forward to it and my favorite thing of all is the way people seem to be truly friendlier and in a spirit of giving to others. I also like all of the old movies and things that … Continue reading A Lesson from Mr. Macy
Book Review: The Outward Mindset
I recently read The Outward Mindset by the Arbinger Institute. The book begins by explaining that the key to long-lasting behavioral change is changing mindset. Indeed, I have said many times that you cannot change behaviors without first changing the thinking behind them. From there we are given some definition behind two competing mindsets, one, … Continue reading Book Review: The Outward Mindset
Pay Attention…to everything!
Tuesday is recycling pick-up day, and we dutifully put out our recycling can each Monday night. This past Tuesday, I was out early running an errand only to return to see my recycling can standing right in the middle of the entrance to my driveway. This meant I had to pull into my neighbor’s driveway, … Continue reading Pay Attention…to everything!
Neal Woodson 