Tag Archives: Leadership

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Leadership Lessons Are For Everyone

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I recently visited with a CEO that read one of the articles in this blog for the first time and realized how disconnected he’d been from a big project in his organization. …That realization caused him to immediately engage with his team.

Then I visited with a friend that is a stay-at-home grandmother. She said she wasn’t sure if leadership articles would be of value to her now that she is no longer working outside of the home. (Even though she is a leader in her home and does a lot of volunteer work!) …Then she went on to share her appreciation for the way the learning’s in these posts often challenge her thinking and apply to her life.

The CEO got a high five, my friend received a virtual hug, and my cells danced as I thought of how their actions and comments emphasize three important truths:

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Rocks, Squiggly Things, Questions and Growth

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Ever since I read the book Good to Great this quote by former Pitney Bowes Executive Fred Purdue has resonated with me…

“My job is to turn over rocks and look at the squiggly things, even if what you see can scare the h_ll out of you.”

My definition of a squiggly thing is this: Anything that is breaking down people, relationships, organizations, processes, systems and/or results.

[Tweet ” Have you ever tried to ignore, hide from, or argue with a squiggly thing?”]

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365 Opportunities for YOU to LEAD in 2015

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As I reviewed my blog posts from 2014, I thought about the people and the situations that inspired each one.

And I realized that although I’ve often said that people don’t need a title to lead, I’ve said that imagining people at all levels of an organization that have a lot to contribute. (Like the often overlooked janitorial staff or frontline employees.)

This year my eyes were opened as I realized how much we talk about leadership in the workplace and how often we ignore the need for leadership in our daily lives.

Several times throughout the year, I met people with vision, talent and time that aren’t engaged in life, and aren’t as fulfilled as they could be.  (Often emitting a mix of frustration and surrender.)

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Band-Aids and EASY Buttons -Or- SOLUTIONS?

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An owner of a couple of small businesses is frustrated with dwindling profits.

He blames his staff, treats them badly, moves them to different locations, stalls their vacations and refuses to listen to their feedback.

The truth is:

  • He has been an absentee owner that has happily collected profits from the businesses while choosing not to be involved in day-to-day operations.
  • He hasn’t trained his employees or empowered them to make decisions.
  • He has not been engaged with his customers and doesn’t know what they value.
  • He hasn’t been proactive about growing his businesses or even keeping up with his competitors.
  • His prices are higher than the competition and his facilities are cramped, cluttered, outdated, and equipped with poor quality equipment and tools.
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2 Steps Forward + 1 Step Back = Progress

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Last week a friend pointed out the importance of celebrating progress.

Her comment came at a time when many people we care about are focused on “what is not” instead of on “what is”.

[Tweet “2 steps forward and 1 step back is still progress.”]

Her words were a waving caution flag reminding me that:

Focusing on the steps back, on the struggle, or on what is not…  Fuels negativity and slows progress.