Search results for: vision
Priorities Prevent Your Leadership from Crashing
Look both ways before crossing the street, check the rearview mirror before backing up, put your blinker on before turning—these simple matters of prioritization keep people safe on the roadways. Yet as rudimentary as they are, people still get them backward. According to the National Safety Council, one-fourth of automobile accidents are caused by drivers…
Read MorePied Pipers or Team Leaders: What Do Influencers Look Like in Your Organization?
The ranks of leadership are teeming with pied pipers—charismatic leaders whose magnetic personalities and extraordinary abilities draw a following of admirers. However, the goal of leadership isn’t to attract an entourage who will boost your ego, but to develop a team of leaders who will advance the vision of your organization. To develop the leaders…
Read MoreTraveling to Infinity and Beyond Means Leaving Self-Centeredness Behind
Forty-five years ago, on July 20, 1969, astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin accomplished a feat considered impossible for much of human history. Escaping the gravitational pull of the earth, and soaring beyond its atmosphere, they were the first persons to set foot on the moon. Their successful mission was the crowning achievement of NASA’s…
Read MoreLook Out Below! Searching for a Better Way to Delegate
In the classic cartoon series created by Warner Bros., Wile E. Coyote is determined to catch the Road Runner and tirelessly chases after the fast-running, ground-bound bird. However, the coyote experiences a number of comical misfortunes that prevent him from cornering his prey. Perhaps the most common is that, just as the Road Runner finally…
Read MoreWho’s the Best? Putting Talent to the Test
What do Peyton Manning, LeBron James, and Lionel Messi have in common? Second-place finishes. Manning’s Broncos were crushed 43-8 in the Super Bowl, the San Antonio Spurs handily defeated Lebron James and the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals, and Argentina, led by Messi, lost 1-0 to Germany in the World Cup Final. Each athlete…
Read MoreThe King of the Forest Can Still Be a Cowardly Lion
In the classic film, the Wizard of Oz, the Cowardly Lion famously lacks courage. He’s scared of his own tail, and skittish at the slightest sign of danger. His companions constantly have to encourage him to keep going on their journey. In one scene, the Cowardly Lion imagines how much better his life would be…
Read MoreDon’t Let Broken Trust Rust Out Your Relationships
When you’ve broken a teammate’s trust, don’t let the relationship rust; take action immediately to repair and restore it. As a leader, you’re out in front casting vision and giving direction. You’re vocal and highly visible; your words and deeds affect a lot of people. Eventually, you’re going to say or do something that violates…
Read MoreAre You Maximizing Today?
In just 2.5 weeks I turn 40. As I enter a new decade one of the areas where I’m working on being more intentional is in my daily reflection. The older I get the greater level of accountability I feel to steward my time wisely. No matter your age we all have a finite number…
Read MoreTomorrow Is Always a Day Away…So Focus on Today
The sun’ll come outTomorrow So ya gotta hang on ‘Til tomorrow Come what may Tomorrow! Tomorrow! I love ya Tomorrow! You’re always A day Away! ~ “Tomorrow” from the Broadway musical Annie With all due respect to little orphan Annie, just thinking about tomorrow takes us away from the things we should do today. Indeed,…
Read MoreIn Praise of Climate Change
“It is winter in Narnia, and it has been for ever so long…and we both shall catch cold if we stand here talking in the snow.” ~ Mr. Tumnus In C.S. Lewis’, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, a young girl, Lucy, wanders through a magical wardrobe and into another world. She meets one of…
Read More