In my new book in process, “GUTSY: How Women Leaders Make Change” I had to stop writing and take the temperature of my own “GUTSINESS”. Here is the story: I have always been a rebel, rebel who wants to see positive change and is willing to stand and be counted. I have done this in many instances when the risk has been to my career, reputation, and even the financial bottom … [Read more...]
Gutsy for Important Reasons
The following is super powerful. If you ever wonder if one individual can make a difference read on. Think about the courage it took to think and act beyond the nature of the times. For me, one of most important aspects of Irena was her ability to see from such a large vantage point, considering the entire circle of life. Use this story as an anchor for you when the world seems … [Read more...]
10 Ways to be a Better Team Player
You have described yourself with this skill, time and time again; you are a “team player.” Now what to do? You find yourself in a situation where you are the strongest player assigned to the team. How can you maintain the integrity of the team and affect the outcome for the positive? Here are 10 ways to increase your team's productivity and overall chance … [Read more...]
Leadership and Emotional Pollution
Did you ever throw a paper cup on the ground and walk away? The women who read this blog would not think to do that. The cup would find a home in a trash can. And, if you look down and there is a candy wrapper lying on the pavement, do you pick it up and throw it in a waste basket? Most likely you would take the moment to help clean up the area. So, why do we walk past … [Read more...]
Are Your Rules Made To Be Broken?
Blog from Maribeth Kuzmeski of Red Zone Marketing Sometimes the rules and regulations that are created are so ridiculous that it seems that they can’t possibly have been designed to follow. It makes you wonder if some rules really were just meant to be broken, even in our own businesses. Last week I was on a flight from Detroit to Chicago. There was a line of … [Read more...]
The Detrimental Business Relationship: Are You Putting Yourself at Risk?
Blog from Maribeth Kuzmeski of Red Zone Marketing It is enticing to take on new clients quickly that seem to have everything that you want, especially the willingness and ability to buy. But what if, in your haste to sign on this great new client, you don’t properly assess how this person will act as a client (it goes the same for business partners, alliances, and … [Read more...]
Is your business Opaque or Transparent?
News of yet another possible meltdown on Wall Street in the U.S. is enough to make me yell 'oh my gosh!' And ask the question: why can't businesses realize that transparency is the preferred dressing and not opacity? In the art world, where I live some of my time, there is an easy test for transparency that I've used in teaching beginning painting students...it works for … [Read more...]
Leadership Work vs. “Women’s Work”
The balance score card to measures a society is graded by how its leaders set policy for caring; for children, the sick, the elderly, and the poor. If I were asked to grade our country I’m saddened to say the marks would not get us into Harvard. What is missing? For me it boils down to the relationship aspect of how we care for each other. Remember the name of Hilary … [Read more...]
Bold Leadership
There are so many words to describe leadership and almost all point to action; leaders, the best leaders, act. This sounds so right, so intuitively right; yet, my question is about what is the right action? How do we know, how do we ever know if what we do when we act is going to be of benefit, going to move our lives, personally and professionally in the direction of … [Read more...]
Nonprofit Boards and the Public Trust
Women invited to serve on a charitable organization’s Board of Directors are often uncertain whom exactly they serve. The Chairman? The Board as an entity? The Executive Director? The Donors? No, it’s the public. Allen C. Amason, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Strategic Management at the Terry College of Business of the University of Georgia teaches a “Roles & … [Read more...]