Most entrepreneurs agree that the ability to consistently execute is a key factor in surviving the start-up phase and ultimately winning. That said, you cannot make a pig fly, no matter how much you stick with it. In other words, a crummy plan executed well still gets you crummy results. So start with a solid strategy. A…
With a clear vision of what we can become, no challenge is too great. Without it, we rarely move beyond our current boundaries. I learned the power of vision from my seven-year-old daughter a few years ago. She loved to play catch with Dad. The object we threw -- a tennis ball, football, one of…
As a leader, you are orchestrating the moves and sounds of your organization’s daily symphony. To ensure your team is performing in harmony, you have to start with the same sheet music. If some team members are playing Beethoven’s "5th" and others are playing Disney’s "Fantasia," the result will not likely be pleasing to the ear.…
“Your purpose is where your greatest joy meets the world’s greatest need.” —Frederick Buechner There is only one of you. No one is exactly like you, and no one was created for the purpose you are to fulfill each day on Earth. Your purpose may or may not be what you do for a living, but it…
Here is an excerpt from Leadership Matters. It contains 31 daily insights to inspire extraordinary results. day 25: Reflection 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, dream. My youngest daughter has a special…
Over the past 25 years, we have observed recurring challenges for growing companies that we call Risk Factors. Understanding how these risks may apply to your business and proactively managing them will help you sustain growth. The 10 Risk Factors apply to growth companies in varying degrees. Generally, the risk factors are MORE prevalent in…
Life always moves forward, never backward. Your life and career are on a pathway to somewhere, so why not be intentional about your destination and enjoy the journey? Start by asking yourself two simple questions: What would I like my life to look like in a year, 5 and 10 years? When I look…
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…
The fall semester of a college-bound, high school student’s senior year is filled with many decisions about his/her next chapter. One of these is whether or not to select “early decision” for a given college. “Early decision” means that you have decided, in advance, to commit to that university if they choose you and thereby…
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…
