-Regional Director at National Non-Profit Agency
These people are all professionals. These people are all recognized as the best at what they do. For leaders (for anybody) who want to become great, we can learn one thing from the examples above.
What is that secret sauce that creates a winner? Why do some incredibly talented people fail to launch, while some more average people become huge successes?
Let’s face it, some people are winning in life and some people are losing. Winning or losing in life is not determined by inherent talent or an alignment of circumstances. What often separates the winners from the losers? Excuses. Continue Reading…
If I only do the right thing when it is easy, is that truly integrity? There were times in my life I considered myself a man of integrity, but I truly only did the right thing when I had nothing to lose.
Doing the right thing is easy if I have nothing at risk, but is that truly integrity or is it just the path of least resistance? When my integrity is challenged, I am really choosing between two things: Compromise or Consequences. Continue Reading…
“What’s the difference between a leader and a manager?” she asked. I was sitting in front of this executive because this was the crux of the issue going on in her company.
I was unprepared for the question and therefore rambled on WAY too long. I was sure I did not get her business. Fortunately, somewhere in my long winded answer she heard something she liked, and she hired me to work with her team leaders.
Now I can answer her question in four words -
In a nutshell: There are no small decisions when my character is involved.
For a leader, the magnitude of the decision should not determine my approach. If my moral compass is involved, then the decision is a big deal. Too many times we make decisions based on our immediate perception of their impact. Continue Reading…
What is the definition of character?
Character is our habitual way of operating.
Our character is ultimately determined by our habits. If I am in the habit of doing what is moral and right, I am a person of high character. If I am in the habit of cutting corners, telling “small lies”, or any other morally questionable act, that is who I am as well.
This video is a clip from a training session on leadership I did for a group of salespeople. It is only a few minutes long. Take the time to watch it and see how your habits stack up towards forming your character.
How do the words you hear me speak cause you to evaluate your habits? Do you see changes you can make at work or at home? Do you see a path to teaching your kids about character?
“Making excuses is a bad habit.” Making excuses is a favorite topic of mine when I speak to groups about leadership and character. I am often asked, “Aren’t there legitimate reasons for a failure? Shouldn’t that matter?”
My reply: “Yes. It matters. As long as we know the difference between an excuse and a reason.” Continue Reading…
Business magazines publish article after article discussing a company’s culture. The articles often focus on perks, the color of the office walls, or the fact there is a ping pong table where the conference table used to be.
Who cares! I don’t care that I get to play ping pong at work if I can’t trust the guy I just beat to be honest with me later. A pig with lipstick on is still a pig. Continue Reading…
Imagine a company that truly lived by its values. Imagine a company where Trust was a core value. What would it be like to work for a company that habitually operated like the values they espouse? Continue Reading…
I am an optimist. If you have read my blogs in the past, you know this. Few people follow pessimists anywhere. Pessimists usually keep themselves and those around them from making any progress or experiencing growth.
I understand that past experiences may cause some people to be pessimists. But I do believe being an optimist or a pessimist is a choice. That choice will often determine the quality of a person’s life and their impact on the lives of others. Continue Reading…
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