As 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.…
DetailsSince my introduction to type as a professional in 1992, knowledge about type has proven incredibly valuable in my home and work life. Using the multiple lenses of type (see Figure 1) my personality type code ENFJ, provides shorthand for capturing the following rich information.
Salespeople are often faced with unresolved deals in their pipeline that they normally give up on or persist beyond any reasonable hope. There is a middle ground that is appropriate when you have reached the point of no return, your prospect is stringing you along in that they are taking you down the primrose path,…
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…
DetailsOver the years, many employees have expressed unhappiness when they receive an “average” pay increase. My first question to them is, “Why should you receive a higher increase than the rest of the group?” The answer? … “Because I have worked harder than anybody else”.
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…
DetailsBusy, busy, busy. Rush, rush, rush. Meet with team–call shipping–update spread sheet–check emails–meet with boss–finalize report–make two more calls–work on client presentation–attend strategy update meeting–write up the minutes–analyze production data–read market trend report–and on and on and on. If you are right now saying to yourself this “this is my life,” you’re not alone. But…
DetailsThe CEO prowled the stage like a panther. He had total control of PowerPoint, was animated in sharing his experience and made the thousands in the conference hall feel as if he was speaking directly to them. The team left the keynote feeling inspired to produce great things, confident in their decision of joining the…
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