Leadership Decisions: Virtual – Hybrid – In Office??
My son Will, an Army officer, was home for the weekend and we were catching up. He had recently changed jobs and I asked him how he liked his new unit compared to the old one. He had obviously thought about this: “I really like [my new unit] Bravo Company. In my previous unit, it […]
This is Who I am, This is Who we Are!
Good morning! Today’s post is dedicated to a group of leaders who will continue leading the same way next week as they did last week, regardless of what happened in Tuesday’s elections. – – – – – – – – – – “I am my country’s strength in war, her deterrent in peace. I am […]
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 […]
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 – […]
When Meetings Waste Your Time
Last week, I sat in on an executive team meeting. I was so bored! Interestingly, I was the only person in the room for whom most of the discussion was brand new. Why was I so bored? Because nothing really happened—for two hours! Sure, there was a lot of talking, a lot of papers passed […]
One Cure For Busyness
In my last post, I wrote about the chronic problem of “I’m so busy” leadership. Thanks to all those of you who commented on and shared this post through LinkedIn. This week, I follow up with thoughts on an antidote for leaders’ busyness: delegation. Two months ago, I was in conversation with the president of […]
Leaders Who Are “So Busy”
Last week I was talking with a leader who opened our conversation by saying, “I am…just…so busy.” And he said it in a positive way. He was happy about it. How often do you hear this? How often do you say it yourself? Here’s the question I asked this busy leader: Are you busy on […]
Matt Ryan’s Lesson for Leaders
The Falcons lost in a heartbreaker, but they fielded a great team for a great Super Bowl. Ron Farmer, Atlanta resident and President of Heartland Campus Solutions, wrote this note to his “team” of over 500 on Monday morning. In it, Ron identifies a great takeaway for leaders and teams. He was gracious to let […]
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 […]
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 […]
