Values
Words as Bond
An organization’s culture can be simply stated as “The way things get done around here.” Notice that isn’t a list of values found on walls, coffee mugs, T-shirts or ball caps. It’s what actually happens in our organizations, and how it happens that matter. That is how stakeholders see us. Not as some empty words or […]
Contrary Opinions
In a safe environment, there is room for contrary opinions. Opposing views are truly heard. In a healthy and thriving organization contrary views are not only heard, they are encouraged. Contrarians are not naysayers or doom-and-gloom people. They simply look at things differently! The Red Card Some organizations insist that there always be a contrary proposal—a […]
Good Judgment
What is “Judgment?” According to my dictionary, judgment is “the ability to make considered decisions or come to a sensible conclusion.” Of course, there is the other use; being “judgmental”—meaning that we are holding others to our own standards and finding them wanting in some way. When speaking of leadership, I am referring to the […]
Authentic Selling – Oxymoron
Oxymoron “Wait,” you ask, “Are you suggesting that a person can’t be authentic and also sell?” Well, yes. And I’m not alone: “Of course, the idea of using authenticity to sell something is kind of self-contradictory and ironic, because the whole point of being authentic is not being strategic but instead behaving in a way […]
Once Again, Banks Violate Our Trust . . .
Leadership Owns This Scandal And just where was (is) the leadership at Wells Fargo in this ethical failure? What kind of culture would lead an employee to even consider falsifying emails, establishing unauthorized accounts, issuing unauthorized credit/debit cards, collecting fraudulent fees and impacting customers’ credit scores? How can customers ever trust Wells Fargo again. Full […]
Book Review: The Ideal Team Player by Patrick Lencioni
In his usual engaging style, Patrick Lencioni has expanded on his previous book, The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, to show us how to make sure we find the ideal team player for our next hire. Through a parable he shows us how to recognize and cultivate the three essential virtues named as humble, hungry […]
Data, Hypothesis, Theory
The Silly Season A great deal of the continuing education I embark on for coaching certification involves understanding how the human brain works. It’s a moving target these days. Things change as we learn more about how the methods we use can be misinterpreted, how incredibly complex the human brain is and how reality is […]
It Matters What YOU Believe
I have the privilege of working with a couple of business incubators and several start up company founders. The founders are sometimes surprised when I suggest that they must pay attention to leadership now, not later. They are even more surprised and usually totally unprepared to talk about their own fundamental organizing principles. It “all” starts with […]
Standing on Principles or Just Plain Stubborn?
The recent news around the measles epidemic and the controversy over vaccinations made me start thinking about the principles involved. I guess there are many principles, but perhaps the two that matter are (a) individual freedom and (b) providing for the common good. And of course, as I am wont to do, I then thought about […]
