So many workers feel their leaders talk at them, not with them or simply to them. That feeling was only magnified when Zoom calls and masks became routine during this pandemic. Leaders and employees feel stuck in a dysfunctional communication cycle of giving information and providing updates instead of really connecting. We all feel more disconnected than ever - and it’s very hard to find meaning in a video chat or email.
Read MoreI was coaching a CEO this week - and we were speaking about our "lessons learned" in leading. While the conversation was casual and friendly, I left the meeting feeling the need to document these important insights. Each came with a significant amount of pain and scar tissue (from learning the hard way). I hope you find these helpful.
Here’s a few lessons I’ve learned in leading businesses for the past 25 years.
Early in our leadership journey, we tend to act more like the “captain of the team” rather than the coach. We are “leading others” rather than “leading through others.” This works fine when the company is small. But at some point, you’re going to feel like you’re running a circus.
Read MoreSo the day has arrived - I’m turning 59 - the official countdown to 60. How the hell did I get here so fast? In honor of this big day, I sat down and wrote out 59 things I now know to be true - sort of life lessons. If I’m lucky and I get to 60 next year, I’ll add another observation to the list. I’ll keep going for as long as I keep going. And if I’m lucky, I’ll create a really long list.
Read MoreHere are 5 lessons I hope we are learning through this COVID-19 pandemic. The only long-term failure is blaming others and failing to act. We are a Nation with brilliant scientists and researchers. We have the resources, skill and knowledge. We need leaders who care more about the common good than their individual stock portfolio. And we need those leaders to take action in crisis.
Read MoreThese are unprecedented times. There is no playbook for what to do in such a crisis, yet leaders must step up now and guide our communities and businesses as we face some of life’s most demanding challenges. These challenges may include large quarantine areas, limited access to essential services, and medical shortages for those who fall ill to this virus. Any one of these can also create paralyzing fear.
As the leader, you cannot always control the environment you find yourself. But you can always control your response, your attitude, your behavior, your words and actions. You can always choose to be proactive rather than paralyzed.
Read MoreFounders are sane enough to know that every day is a fight for survival against daunting odds. They are crazy enough to believe they can succeed anyway. And retaining them in meaningful ways is essential to the long-term success of any company who acquires an entrepreneurial startup.
Read MoreIn any business environment, an idea isn’t worth much - unless you do something with it. This “do something” is all about how we choose to put an idea into practice (how we execute). It involves the moving from the abstract to the real. The pathway is never a straight line - it is a set of twists and turns, barriers that must be overcome, challenges to be faced, and real problem solving of the unexpected. It’s a difficult journey.
Read MoreNot every situation we are bold enough to face can be changed. But nothing can be changed until we are bold enough to face the situation. So find the courage to boldly face the injustice you see. Look into the eyes of someone you've wronged & make it right. Face your fears. Face your enemies. Face your shortcomings and failures, and learn from them.
Read MoreI am living in the decade of reality: the very real sense that I’ve lived a full lifetime - and the knowledge that there’s less time, not more, has come crashing in on me. Today I’m reflecting on what I have I done and what am I going to do with what’s left of me.
Read MoreI want to live authentically as I was created - some of us are meant to bring living color to this otherwise “black and white” world. So I will celebrate the things that make me a bit different.
Read MoreHow do we find the humanity in business? We don’t. It is already human - an organism made up of real people with real stories, real dreams, and real pain. Some call it culture - but it’s deeper than company slogans, mission statements, and props.
Read MoreThe journey of life unfolds unexpectedly - filled with highs and lows, moments of joy and times of deep sorrow. It’s easy when life is really good. But when things are really bad, finding meaning and creating purpose gives us something to hold to; something to live for; a reason to move forward. It gives us hope.
Read MoreGratitude is the music of the heart. Gratitude makes me a happier person. Gratitude gives me strength, reduces my stress, and, improves my outlook. Gratitude transforms the routine into joy; and causes the ordinary to become extraordinary. Gratitude is the ultimate spiritual practice.
Read MoreI formed Narus Health with a singular purpose: to change the healthcare conversation for those facing life-limiting illness. If we are truly going to revolutionize the way we care for those with life-limiting illness, we must build a culture rooted in the service of others. Listening first to understand and placing what matters most to our patients and their families above all else.
Read MoreToday, I am more certain of what really matters. I am more thoughtful of how I spend my time on a few dreams that might make a difference for someone. My encouragement to you is to never stop dreaming, no matter how old you are or what your circumstance may be. Within us are the dreams that can change lives.
Read MoreIf you’re like most people, you have built your network in a pretty random fashion - connecting with anyone who wishes to communicate with you. And if you have a hard time saying no to people, your undiscerning generosity may be self-defeating. This is why I’ve developed the 5.50.500 rule for my own life.
Read MoreEmotional intelligence is an understanding of what it means to be human. By recognizing that everyone has a personal story and by actively listening and showing empathy; we can connect and build relationships based on trust.
Read MoreToday marks 1000 days without him… And I have discovered that I am not born with a fixed amount of resilience. I have more capacity than I knew to get through just about anything. I am stronger than I ever imaged.
Read MoreEntrepreneurial leaders are a relentless, seek-and-solve breed of innovators. They are the ones forever craning their necks, trying to “look around the corner” for the next evolution of the business. They relentlessly pursue “a better way.”
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