Is strategic thinking important for leaders? When asked this question, most business leaders said "yes." The remaining said generic use of the term has muddied its meaning. Therefore, let me clarify what I mean by strategic thinking as it applies to work. In my experience, individuals who effectively demonstrate this capability: Use a broad “field of [...]

Whether you are a C-suite executive, middle manager or an emerging leader, you will continue to face setbacks. Maybe the company is not performing up to expectations or you are not getting the progress you want from employees on key initiatives. Setbacks can start to take a toll on you. How you do you respond [...]

“She is a leader who has some rough edges needing refinement.” “He has done well in his current role, but he isn’t sure how to get to the next level.” “He doesn’t recognize how demotivating he can be to the organization.” “We have tried to help her but nothing has worked. I’m not sure what [...]

“If I take the time to explain what I need, they still won’t do it the way that I do. It’s just easier to do it myself.” How often have you or a colleague made such a statement? While you may believe that taking the time to explain is inefficient, take a moment to consider what [...]

Has trust in our dynamic, global marketplace reached a crisis level over the last year? According to the 2017 Edelman Trust Barometer, the answer is “yes.” This annual, global survey finds the number of countries falling into the “distruster” category increased to two-thirds from one-half in 2016. For countries in this category, trust in business, [...]

“If there is one place many of our company’s leaders could improve, it is having candid discussions with people about how they are doing, especially if these people are failing to deliver on expectations.” Do you know any organizations like this? Since I regularly hear statements of this type in my line of work, I [...]

How does your leadership team handle meetings that involve a topic where there are vastly opposing viewpoints accompanied by strong emotions? Hopefully, team members are able to keep the intensity in the optimal range of productivity. What happens when they don’t? For those who have had the “opportunity” to experience when the team fails to [...]

You have a new boss. The company culture is changing as the strategic plan is implemented. The market shifts in an unexpected direction. The country elects a new president. What do these things have in common? They all are accompanied by uncertainty which you are faced with managing as a leader in your organization. Ignoring [...]

“My tasks and responsibilities have grown so much that I can’t get ahead of them. It seems like I’m barely treading water.” If you have found yourself thinking this or saying this to a trusted confidante, you are not the only one. This is a comment I frequently hear from executives, especially those in aggressive-growth [...]

What do you do if you notice your enthusiasm and energy waning regarding work that you have historically enjoyed and found challenging? This is not unusual. Whether you are an executive taking an organization in a new strategic direction or an emerging leader focusing on your daily responsibilities, it can happen. In fact, over 50 [...]