A Different View of Leadership: Not What You Might Expect
What does leadership look like? It takes on many forms. But on this day, at a major training exercise in the desert, it took on what for me was a very unexpected shape. Here’s the short story about a very different view of leadership I got when I pulled back the tent flap, and saw […]
Leading With a Blind Eye: Why You Can’t Ignore the Thing You Didn’t Want to See
Why turning a “blind eye” is hazardous to the health of your team In 1801, Admiral Horatio Nelson was leading several warships in a desperate fight against the Danish in the Battle of Copenhagen. His ships were part of a larger fleet commanded by another Admiral. Back in those days, commanders communicated with their fleet […]
How to use the EDGE Technique to Lead Your Team
Did you know that organizations have a life cycle? In this video, we’ll talk about what the stages of that life cycle are, and how you can adjust your leadership approach to successfully lead your team in every stage.
Managing the Boss: How to Deliver Bad News
No one likes to deliver bad news to the boss. But how you present a problem to them will have a lot to do with how they react to it. It’s more than just “managing the boss” – it’s seeing things from their perspective. Here is a way you can break the news, help to […]
Cornerstone of Leadership: What’s Yours?
The location, orientation, and strength of a building are determined by its cornerstone. And just as a building needs that firm foundation to be strong, any organization also needs a basis of strength and purpose that orients and guides its actions. These things come from its leaders. These are its cornerstone. The question is, as […]
Joining the Team: What the New Guy Won’t Tell You
We’ve all been there, but it’s funny how quickly we can forget the “New Guy” experience. Yet how you bring a new person onto the team will have a lot to do with how long they stay, and how productive they’ll be. Here are four things that the new guy won’t tell you, and what […]
The Abilene Paradox: When Agreement is Bad
Not sure where your team is heading? Wonder what will be waiting for you when you get there? Sounds like you might just be on the Bus to Abilene. Here’s how to recognize if you’re on that Bus and how to get it turned in the right direction.
How to Write an Inspiring Vision Statement
A vision statement is supposed to be like the North Star, serving as a light that guides your organization into the future. Today we’re going to talk about how you can put together a great vision statement that unifies and inspires your team, and helps you achieve the future that you dream of.
How to Give Constructive Feedback
You know, one of the first counseling sessions I received as a leader was also one of the toughest. I learned that I was falling short of my commander’s expectations in several ways, and it was hurting the team. When it was over, I ended up thanking my commander and was determined to get better. […]
They Do This in Church, Too? 9 Ways Getting Constructive Feedback is a Game-Changer
Having lived in 19 places in my life (so far), I’ve been in my share of churches, but the one we go to now has always struck me as being a little more organized and better run than most. Recently I discovered one of the reasons why. We could all stand to take a page […]
4 Ways to Get a Leader’s Perspective
You know, I was hiking this beautiful fall day, and it got me thinking. The trails here in Pennsylvania are rocky, you really have to watch where you put your feet or you could twist an ankle. The problem is that if your head is always down watching your feet, you miss a lot of […]
7 Ways to Boost Your Confidence as a New Leader
The air is screaming by outside at 120 miles an hour, the ground is receding in the distance, and the weight of your parachute and equipment seems to be pulling you down. Your heart rate is up, there’s a little tremor in your hands. The risks seem real, but everyone in the airplane is watching […]