Artificial Leadership

Have you tried it yet – ChatGPT? Or Google Bard or Jasper? How about YouChat? Adoption of this new technology has been widespread and instant. The term ‘Artificial Intelligence’ is becoming so ubiquitous, that we risk not breaking those two words down and remembering the significance of the adjective – ‘Artificial.’ It has prompted me […]

Do More with Less

There is a common theme that we are hearing from leaders as we begin 2023. “Do more with less.” Both certainty and uncertainty about the macro-economic, political, international and business environments are forcing leaders to recognize they must do things differently if they are going to succeed over the next 12 to 18 months. In […]

Political Leadership Role Models. . .Not!

Good morning. The recent events in Washington compel me to break from my usual avoidance on discussing politics in these notes to you about leading well. But watching the hearings a week ago Thursday reminded me that our nation’s political leaders do not represent a vast pool of leadership role models that I could endorse right […]

The Difficult People

Good morning! This morning, three items, starting with the most critical factor in healthy working relationships . . . Two weeks ago, I wrote you with a story of a President who, frustrated in his relationship with his CEO, finally said – “I just don’t trust him!” Without trust, it is always difficult for two […]

Leadership Essential #1: Take Responsibility

Good Thursday morning! It seems about 1/3 of the people I know right now are on vacation (many in Europe). I hope you are in a similar place or have plans to be soon! I started the week in Pittsburgh, and am ending it in New Jersey, with a trip to Sarasota in between – […]

CEO Non-Negotiable #3

My son, Will, asked me the other day who some of my best bosses have been. I immediately thought of my first full-time boss, Captain Butler, commander of Charlie Company, 3rd of the 63rd Armor Battalion. He regularly checked in with me as I learned my job as a brand new platoon leader. He was […]

CEO as Chief Talent Officer

In my last post, I wrote that One of a CEO’s primary roles is handling difficult people. This is because . . .
The CEO is the Chief Talent Officer of the company.
Yesterday, a CEO I work with shared how he has been managing talent at his company. He had two stories.
………………….
Leaders are accountable for the caliber of people working under them.

Leaders Confronting Leaders Who Behave Badly

One of a CEO’s primary roles is handling difficult people.
I’ve heard several stories recently of CEOs dealing with one of their senior leaders whose behavior is detrimental to the organization.
At the least, senior leaders like these two are “prickly” – everybody moves gingerly around them, trying to avoid getting stung. At worst, they are “radioactive,” melting down everyone and everything they come in contact with.

Preventing CEO Suicides

The recent surge in suicides seems to parallel the surge in bad news that is touching all Leaders in some way right now. While only a few choose to take their life, many other Leaders are feeling the pressures build and the options fade. And herein lies more opportunity for bad choices . . .

Leaders at the Finish Line

Many are calling these events [in the financial markets] unprecedented. Leaders can be paralyzed by them; or they can “choose” to grow and respond accordingly.