The early bird catches the worm. I hate that phrase. I find it irritating because of the origin behind it, the idea that in order to succeed, you must wake up and get to work early. I’m going to have to disagree with this concept. I’m a night owl. I have little desire to be…
DetailsI’m attending my 3rd conference this week as CEO of Net Minds. Sure, I’ve spoken at 200 conferences over the last decade, but that is not the same thing as attending one as a company team member. I’ve taken it for granted that I know conferences, but in fact, getting ready for this week has…
DetailsWhen a major disaster looms, the prepared executive knows exactly what to do. They’ve planned for different scenarios. They have different responses at the ready. At stake is nothing less than the fate of your organization. Even a relatively small crisis can cost your organization dearly if handled poorly. Your planning should include the following…
DetailsThe name and work of Carol Dweck keeps coming up in discussions among experts in cognitive development. I wrote a review of her important book, MindSet. In it she talks about two fundamental mindsets in people (and, therefore, of course, in employees): Fixed and Growth. Someone with a Fixed mindset believes they can’t get any…
DetailsIf stupidity got us into this mess, then why can’t it get us out? – Will Rogers The story is told that when St. Petersburg, one of the most splendid cities in Europe was being laid out early in the eighteenth century, boulders brought by a glacier had to be removed. One in particular had…
DetailsAs 2005 quickly approaches its final chapter, I have been thinking a lot about my goals and plans for 2006. In doing so, I have found myself spellbound by the concept of living on purpose. I recently read Al Stubblefield’s new book, The Baptist Health Care Journey to Excellence: Creating a Culture That WOWs! (Wiley…
DetailsAs you might imagine, as a paid expert on communication and leadership, I get some well earned ribbing at home from my wife Robin because of my poor listening skills as a husband and father. Once I made the comment that she just didn’t pay me as well as my client’s did for me to…
DetailsI recently heard an interesting presentation by Holly Kortright, Senior VP, HR of Deltek. She was talking about where her company has decided to direct their available resources for employee capacity development. They target four areas: High Potentials for leadership positions High Performers People possessing critical, hard to replace, skills People in key positions (e.g.…
DetailsWhen I hear the term perseverance, it’s hard not to think of those “motivational” posters proudly displayed in so many offices. You know what I mean; the posters usually showcase a mountain or a sailboat with a slogan that says something about persevering no matter the hurdles, etc., etc. I don’t know about you, but…
DetailsPeople often think that for employees to perform well all they need are the appropriate ability and skills and the motivation to achieve great results. But there is a missing ingredient: opportunity. So says John Boudreau in a recent issue of Talent Management Magazine (p. 10). He is spot on. You can be well trained…
DetailsThroughout this year I have had the pleasure of teaching a seminar on “Cultivating Employee Engagement” to a variety of professionals. I moderate an interactive conversation as we explore the pillars of what attracts and retains great talent. I told the story of the Goldman Sachs employee who posted his letter of resignation in the New York Times.…
DetailsI’m not sure if it is due to the fact that this Valentine’s Day marks the two-year anniversary of the beginning of my cancer journey, or because this holiday is represented by hearts, but I have health care on my mind. Maybe the fact that my tumor was right next to my heart also has…
DetailsI came across a quote from Oprah Winfrey, interviewed in the Dec. 26/10 issue of Parade : Everybody just wants to be heard…Do your eyes light up when I enter the room? Did you hear me and did what I say mean anything to you? That’s all they’re looking for. That’s what everybody is looking…
DetailsThe more I get to know people, the more I love my dog – Frederick the Great Writing in The Book of Business Anecdotes, Peter Hay shares a story that back in the 1950’s, marketing whiz Stanley Arnold was working at Young & Rubicam, where he was asked to come up with a marketing campaign…
DetailsHave you ever thought of someone and instantly he or she calls you on the telephone? Or how about this, you walk into a ballroom crowded with 2,000 people at a convention wishing you could find your friends, and suddenly you bump into them? Have you ever thought of a loved one who has passed…
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