What Leaders Do when Times are Scary

This morning, I received two emails at the same time – around 6:30 am. One was from Ed Bastion, CEO of Delta Airlines. The second was from Ryan Green, an SVP at Southwest Airlines. (Interestingly, I didn’t receive a comparable email from the airline I fly the most.) Both of these leaders were writing to […]

Want to be a GREAT Leader? Try a “Little” More of this One Ingredient!

Good wintry morning! I hope you had a great Thanksgiving and are having fun enjoying or anticipating the holidays. – – – – – – – – – – Here’s a check-in question for you: Where are you on the pride/humility scale? Great leaders are humble leaders. Which makes Humility a Leadership Essential, and #5 […]

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 […]

Villain, Victim, Rescuer – Which Role Do You Play?!

Good Thursday morning! I hope you have had a good week so far. Three things today: gratefulness, “The P Rules” — some tips to improve your team meetings and presentations, and finally, a lesson from the road. First, what are you grateful for this morning? (Pause . . . to let you think.) I happen […]

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 – […]

Stop Rambling. Start BLUF-ing.

Notice: This post provides a new communication tool that I would like you to try at least once today! A week or so ago, I began a phone conversation with a leader who had been referred to me. With very few opening pleasantries, this leader launched into his story about all the challenges he was […]

Parenting Your New Hire

If you are part of an organization that is growing or experiencing change, odds are you are bringing in, or promoting, new leaders to help with that growth and change. In my observation, many otherwise highly effective leaders struggle to onboard their new hire in a win-win-win for the two of them and the company. […]

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.

Frustrated Leaders

A CEO frustrated with his board. A Board frustrated with its CEO. A Partner frustrated with his partner. A Partner frustrated with HIS partner. A CEO frustrated with her COO. A COO frustrated with his CEO. Boy, I run across these scenarios too often. I use the word “frustrated” because it represents the middle ground […]

What Certain Leaders Do in Uncertain Times

Uncertain times?
Let’s see . . a stock market that no one can forecast . . . a presidential race completely up for grabs . . . and a 31 year-old trader who just cost his company $7.2 billion.
What a great time for Leaders to step up.
I read a great story last week about one Leader whose company is thriving amidst a crisis that has tanked most of the rest of his industry.