Olympic Glory It’s Not
As we entrench ourselves in the Olympics this week, it's clear: everyone loves winning. The pride of being the best, of being able able to exclaim, “I’m a winner!” is exhilarating. And on the world stage, against the best of the best, OMG, that has got to be a...
A Crying Shame
Let me ask you what I hope is an easy question: What do you do when a baby cries? Usually, you pick them up. Right? You don't yell at it, ignore it, threaten it, demand it find a different way to communicate with you, or any other action that requires the baby...
Playing Hardball With “Soft” Skills
Playing 'hardball' is tough, right? It’s supposed to be serious, difficult, dangerous and most definitely not for the weak of heart. “Hey! We play hardball here! Get used to it!!" Softball on the other hand--that’s supposed to be easier, gentler and more forgiving. We...
Forget Learning – Start Forgetting!
Have you noticed how easy it is to get hung up on what we think we 'need' to know? When we ask the question "How can I be a leader?", we proceed to look for the best book, the best class, the best something or someone to teach us the answer. We assume that if we just...
Discipline Is NOT The Answer – Part II
Last week we talked about how, if something is too difficult, you may need to consider whether it really does align with your goals. If not, drop it! Why force yourself to do something you hate? The danger, of course, is using this as an excuse not to do something we...
Discipline Is NOT The Answer (Exactly)
Every goal requires discipline, and that very discipline is exactly the trouble most people have--myself included! How does one develop discipline? Hellifiknow, because it usually looks like sheer willpower--which, as we all know, is a diminishing resource. You have...
The Peter Principle: Part II
Last week we talked about the negative effects the Peter Principle can have on organizations. But what about individuals? If you find yourself succeeding at your current job--thriving even--it’s only a matter of time before that offer for promotion comes along. That’s...
Getting Rid of The Peter Principle
According to the Peter Principle, in any given hierarchy an individual will rise to the level of their own incompetence. If promotion is the only way to receive reward, people are likely to step on this land mine of incompetence, even if the promotion is for a job...
Where Does Power Come From?
I wrote this article a few days before the Orlando shooting and it seems more apropos than ever. At a time when I, and so many of us, feel helpless, powerless and at the mercy of so much hate, violence, and fear, it’s a fair question to ask: Where does power come...
Do You Have A Beginner’s Mind?
Many of us in positions of leadership often feel it comes accompanied by an expectation to be right all of the time. But that’s a feeling founded in fear. Leaders who are afraid of being wrong or vulnerable are afraid of losing their power and appearing weak. In other...
