I was in the home of a friend one day when I saw something that has inspired in me an important belief about leadership. Years ago, my buddy Jason had two adorable, elementary school-aged daughters who happened to arrive home from school while I was visiting. After the requisite hugs [read more]
In this week’s Leading Thoughts, let me return to a facet of leadership I believe in strongly and want to urge upon you now. I counsel all leaders to think in terms of “The Credit Factor.” This is simply the idea that all leaders at all times are building or [read more]
There is a principle I have found to be true in all of life and leadership. It is a bit mystical and a bit ethereal, but it governs our lives and we are wise to work with it rather than against it. Our lives progress in seasons. Now, by this [read more]
There is a truth that comes down to us from the ancient Greeks. We should pay attention to it, because it is one of the best reminders we have of how to lead well. On an ancient Greek temple are chiseled the words, “Know Thyself.” Now, there are many interpretations [read more]
In my consulting work with leaders, often my most difficult challenge is pushing them toward “situational reality.” By this I mean simply a realistic assessment of the situation. The facts. The truth. The state of things. You would think that every leader would insist upon knowing their situational reality, but [read more]
If I urged you to live an “ordered” or “paced” life, would it make any sense to you? If I said I wanted you to get more rest, and I meant this both in the sense of physical rest and also in the sense that you be at rest about [read more]
There is a question all leaders ought to ask themselves. It is a question I strive to answer not only about myself but about everyone I advise on leadership. The question is simple: “Where am I a coward?” The word “coward” is so jarring that we recoil from it. Let [read more]
I was chatting with a professor at the United States Military Academy some years ago when he turned to me during a discussion of great military leadership and said, “It’s really pretty simple. Lead with your strengths. Call in reinforcements where you’re weak.” Now, he was smart enough not to [read more]
I’ve been urging you recently to consider the power of culture in how you lead. I’ve asked you to think about the leadership culture you’re building, to recognize the enemies of that culture, to use tools like story and your vision of the future in building that culture, and to [read more]
There are two things I want to mention before I explore this week’s leadership truth. First, my team tells me these Leading Thoughts articles of mine have been too long. They are right. From now on, they’ll be no more than 400-500 words. Promise. Second, I’m pretty exited about the good our [read more]