A typical day in business (and in life) contains a curveball or two that throws you off your plan. A customer complaint gets elevated to you, an employee matter erupts, negative press on social media requires an all-hands-on-deck meeting, an urgent project from the CEO lands on your desk, an unexpected expense requires your time to…
https://youtu.be/uGhg6o-AmlA The Speed of Success video reveals Simplify as the first of the seven S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Accelerators. In 1800, an average American had 300 products to choose from. Today, there are more than 1 million complex products on the shelves. When Julie asks me to pick up some bread on the way home, my eyes…
The best way to finish strong is to start strong. Healthy leaders create a 100-day plan, just as each President does, to set the tone for their teams. If you want to reach your goals, you have to mentally see them and then physically write them down. Just seeing them is not sufficient – your…
A compelling purpose answers “why?”. It provides meaning and motivation for your team. A compelling plan answers “what?”. It provides clarity and direction for your team. The latest Gallup workforce survey of millions of workers and interviews with CHROs and preeminent economists reveals that a global dream is to have a “good job”. However, the…
Last week, we highlighted Healthy Leadership which is a force multiplier for the 5 growth factors in the Healthy Growth process. Today, we will highlight the first of the five growth factors: Compelling Purpose & Plan. To convince others, you must first believe in your organization’s purpose and plan. Winston Churchill said, “Before you can…
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…
We each have strengths and weaknesses. We work best when we are using our strengths; however, we are all required to perform tasks that might not be a strength. We all know there is always a weakest link on any team (always someone else, of course!). As the old saying goes, "a team is only as…
As you plan for 2020, consider this quote from Stuart Scott. "Don’t downgrade your dream just to fit your reality. Upgrade your conviction to match your destiny.”
Inspiring coaches go for quantity, not quality, of ideas to build a culture of innovation and ownership. They make ideas—lots of them—part of everyone’s job. They use clarifying questions to determine if and how to best implement the ideas. Ask your team for the kinds of ideas you need. You may have a focus area…
One of my long-standing clients, National Motor Club, is a provider of roadside assistance and other safety and security benefits for its members. Soon after Matt Krzysiak was promoted to CEO, he showed leadership courage by rolling out an initiative called “the dumb things we do.” It was a lighthearted, non-threatening way to uncover goofy…
