Great business leaders understand that leading an enterprise in the direction of continuous growth once it has caught fire can take herculean effort. Inevitably, every organization—from startups to the well established—faces the tenuous transition point where it must be willing to untangle from deeply embedded routines and consistently make core decisions that result in … [Read more...]
Stop. Drop. Innovate. 3 Steps to Entrepreneurial Innovation
Yale University is teaching innovation. The Yale Entrepreneurial Institute launched programs that connect students with opportunities for social entrepreneurship. The discipline of innovation is not new - Adam Smith in his 1776 "The Wealth of Nations" posits the division of labor fuels innovation. What can you do as an entrepreneur to lead the charge and innovate within your … [Read more...]
How Emotions Affect Communication, Teamwork and Leadership
Have you ever been part of a winning team? If so, then you probably realize there's a myriad of factors that work together to make it happen. There's unison, communication, camaraderie, passion, and a drive to win to name a few. The bigger question is, have you ever been part of a team that just can't seem to get it right even though there were talented people involved? … [Read more...]
3 Surprising Ways to be Successful in Your Job
If your literature about finding success in your job is more than a year old, chances are it offers such traditional advice as "stand up and get noticed," "knowledge is power," and "strive to take leadership in projects." That was yesterday. Today's multi-generation workplaces mean the rules have changed, and if you still opt to take the traditional route, you may find … [Read more...]
Feedback is a Gift – Especially When It Hurts
Few of us look forward to a feedback appointment. Regardless of how solid we consider our work performance and efforts to be, the bottom-line is that we all have professional blind spots and absolutely no one is exempt from negative feedback. We’ve all been there, but ouch! Usually, it comes with a sting, tempting us to lash out in ways that aren’t professional or more … [Read more...]
Asking the Right Questions
I read recently that we should not ask kids, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Instead, we should ask, “What problems do you want to solve?” This line of questioning promotes thinking about the content of the work and the impact you can have on society. In the same way that this is a good method to frame things for children, it can also work for executives. I … [Read more...]
6 Ways to Treat Your “True” Customer Well
Every year, I make a point to set a new goal for my business. Not just for me, but for all the men and women I’m proud to call team members. The goal becomes a theme that we will build on throughout the year, affecting everyone from the CEO to the front line employees. Or as I like to refer to them, my “true” customers. Prioritizing customer service for the end customer or … [Read more...]
How Prioritizing Diversity Can Make You a Better Leader
With over 350 languages spoken in US homes and over 60% of all the nation’s children predicted to be part of a minority or ethnic group in 2020, it’s clear that the US is a diverse country. It is also becoming increasingly clear that prioritizing diversity and adopting a culture of inclusivity is crucial for business success. A study from McKinsey & Company stated that … [Read more...]
The Crushing of the American Spirit and Work Ethic
Part I: The Quest for Success “If this deal goes through, you will have the privilege of working for the largest Pharmaceutical Company in the world!” Ava looked around at the other 12 faces in the small department meeting that was happening in the midst of a chaotic and feverish corporate leadership conference. She quietly observed how not one person looked motivated, … [Read more...]
Is Multitasking Ruining Your Meetings? 3 Tips to Boost Engagement
You call a meeting to discuss some crucial matters with regard to staff training issues. How the managers decide to proceed once you lay out the facts as you know them will have a great impact on the effectiveness of their new hires to do their jobs in the future. You have arranged for ample supplies of coffee, prepared a thoughtful, workable agenda and distributed it, and … [Read more...]