The Downside of Power
I got to thinking about how end of life is very similar to end of job – also known as termination, downsizing, and outplacement. Having made this connection, three guiding principles came into view. They are…… Read More»
Leadership Presence is More Than Just Being Present
Now I’m not knocking charisma. It’s useful and people tend to be attracted to it. And, from the leader’s perspective, it can seem kind of easy. You just show up. Problem is, that approach only works for well-established and/or highly visible guru-ninja-rockstar leaders. The rest of us need to do our homework before that big day arrives.
So here’s your assignment… … Read More»
Does Your Team Suffer From ‘Connectile Dysfunction’?
Why do so many startups fail – and what can be done about it?
Studies have identified various issues that contribute to the blow-up of startup teams, including competitive factors, market factors, technology churn and such, but the #1 – by a long shot – indicator of pending demise can be summarized with just one diagnosis: Connectile Dysfunction…. Read More»
Predicting Business Leadership Excellence
It’s perhaps the worst kept secret in the business world that what you know is worth only about 25% as a predictor of whether or not you will succeed. The rest is based on fit – how you fit with your boss, your team, your customers and your organization’s culture…. Read More»
Do it for the Team
Somewhere there is a team that needs your specific, personal way of making a meaningful contribution, but there is a problem. We have interests, and skills that we are good at, and we acquire ideas about things we think we will enjoy doing. If they happen to be on target, terrific. But our accuracy in determining such matters is generally hit or miss. Consequently, a large percentage of the workforce is doing work that is not in tune with the deeper sense of meaningful.
Before I explain further, let me put some context around this…. Read More»
Leading into the Light
I’ve always loved Peanuts cartoons. You can share them with anyone and while they are often profound, they’re never offensive. Naturally, I resonate with Lucy, outspoken and bossy as she is. Except in the matter of Light. I’m thinking a lot about Light today, because these are the darkest days of the year, at least […] Read more… Read More»
Reflections on, and in, Glass Ceilings
“There is no glass ceiling if you start at the top.” I read that line this morning in an article praising the glory of entrepreneurship and I thought, that really describes my life now. I mean, no one ever would have promoted me to CEO. I wouldn’t even have been considered a good ‘diversity […] Read more… Read More»
You’re Leaning In. Have You Tried a Push-Up?
No I’m not shilling for Sheryl Sandberg or Victoria’s Secret here, although I’ve read one and worn the other. And I’m not talking about women vs. men, either. What I’m talking about is your career, and I mean YOU, no matter what your DNA or externals say about your gender. Many of us are in […] Read more… Read More»
Question Authority! (Then Listen to the Answers)
I forget where I first heard the rallying cry Question Authority! I mean, I’m a sixties person. I had it on a sweatshirt, on my college notebook (kids, this was a primitive device that required pen, paper, and handwriting) and on the stickers we pasted on phone booths. (Oh my… How do I explain ‘phone […] Read more… Read More»
Not a Born Leader? So What!
I was not born a leader. When I was born (and this was a very long time ago), there were serious defects in my leadership blueprint. First, I had two X chromosomes at a time when one Y was needed in order to be a leader. Actually, nobody knew what a chromosome was back then, […] Read more… Read More»