Selecting the right people is a critical leadership lever that drives growth. Employee selection is the ultimate pay-me-now or pay-me-later leadership proposition. Do it effectively now and reap the benefits of a high-performing team later. Do it fast and cheap now, and pay the price later of increased turnover, underperforming teams, a diluted culture and…
The human brain is the defining aspect of our humanity. It separates us from every other life form. The gift of thought unites us. We can begin thinking about our own thinking by the time we are nine years old. Cognitive scientists at the Center for Brain Health at the University of Texas at Dallas…
A common misperception among leaders is that once you get to a certain level, you should consider only a 30,000-foot perspective (i.e., the big picture) of your business. Although a high-level perspective is necessary for leadership success, it must be accompanied by an in-depth understanding of your team’s operation (e.g., your drivers of cost, profit,…
Inspiring coaches get creative with scoreboards while keeping them relevant to the employees they are managing. For example, Stephen Mansfield, CEO of Methodist Health System in Dallas, has a handy technique to keep his team focused and accountable. His scorecard is literally just that—an index card. Mansfield says, “I have a little handwritten index card…
The strength of our relationships is perhaps the greatest measure of the quality of our lives. It is also a key predictor of our sense of internal joy and contentment. Our relationships should be the place where we act our best and give our best. Strong relationships are built on two-way streets – they must…
Today's hyperactive and attention-demanding world makes reflection no easy task. Nonetheless, we still must find a way to carve out "mental space" so we can think clearly, plan, reflect, and dream. Peter Drucker, the father of modern management, expressed the value of reflection years ago, even when the world was not so information-rich and time-poor. He said,…
In Orchestrating Attitude, I discuss that all changes, whether it’s a change you initiate at work or a worldwide initiative to end poverty, start with one – one person, one thought, one word, one action. Contrary to the lyrics from a classic rock song, one is not the loneliest number. It’s the most important number! …
The more we lead, the more we work with leaders, and the more we parent, the more we see compelling parallels between leadership and parenting. Leaders are parents, and parents are leaders. They are in different settings with parallel roles. Here is an excerpt from a poem by Dorothy Law Nolte, Ph.D. titled, "Children Learn What They Live." As you…
Let us end your week by sharing an quote by William Arthur Ward. We saw it on a magnet used to decorate our daughter's school locker back when she started 6th grade – a huge event in the life of a tween! The adventure of life is to learn. The goal of life is to grow. The nature…
A great leader is a great coach. For years, we have asked clients who the best leader they ever had was. Predictably responses include that "My best leader... pushed me believed in me helped me realize my potential invested time in developing me." In other words, these really good leaders were really great coaches. They also…
